WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper’s major-league career is just 42 games old, but the 19-year-old has made quite a name for himself.
He already has opened the eyes of some Yankees — including Alex Rodriguez — who got their first look at the center fielder last night in the series opener at Nationals Park.
Harper has been watching the Yankees considerably longer.
“[Rodriguez] has been through so many things in his career,” Harper said before the Yankees’ 7-2 victory over the Nationals last night. “He’s grown up in that atmosphere, where he’s targeted and gets attention. I’m looking forward to seeing him play and [Derek] Jeter play.”
Reuters
BRYCE IS RIGHT! Bryce Harper makes a diving catch on a line drive by Mark Teixeira during the first inning of the Yankees’ 7-2 victory over the Nationals.
The feeling is mutual, as Rodriguez spoke earlier in the week about how impressed he’s been with the precocious No. 1 pick that made his debut with Washington on April 28 and hasn’t looked back.
YANKEES BOX SCORE
In his previous 21 games before last night, Harper had hit .370 with three doubles, three triples, five homers and 14 RBIs. He was also named National League Rookie of the Month in May.
Harper finished last night 1-for-4, striking out once. He is hitting .302 for the season.
“What he’s doing is amazing,” manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s pretty hard to compare him to any 19-year-old because 19-year olds usually aren’t here.”
But Harper has proven not to be an ordinary 19-year-old, something Andruw Jones could relate to.
“He’s impressive,” said Jones, who was also 19 when he came up with the Braves in 1996.
But Jones didn’t arrive with nearly the fanfare — or immediate expectation — that has followed Harper.
“I wasn’t in the lineup regularly when I got up here,’’ Jones said. “I got to play behind some really good players like Jermaine Dye until I figured it out.”
Nevertheless, Jones said he isn’t too surprised Harper has found success so quickly.
“It’s still playing baseball,” Jones said. “If you have the skills, you can play anywhere, no matter how old you are.”
Harper raised some eyebrows last year when he tweeted — and later deleted — some support for the Yankees during the playoffs. He has said his favorite player is Mickey Mantle, but for now, he’s focused on beating the Yankees and keeping the Nationals in first place.
“If you want to be the best, you’ve got to play the best,” said Harper, who is beginning to understand the scrutiny players like Rodriguez and Jeter face. “That whole team has been under a microscope. They all have targets on them. They’re the New York Yankees. For them to come in here and deal with that, that’s what I’m trying do.”
But he didn’t expect to ask either player for advice.
“I don’t know, maybe,” Harper said. “I don’t like bothering anybody. It’s a big series.”
dan.martin@nypost.com
Bryce Harper, Harper, Alex Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Andruw Jones, Yankees, the Yankees, the Yankees, Nationals, the Nationals
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