Just a couple of years ago, Washington Nationals’ outfielder Bryce Harper made his debut in head to head fantasy baseball and the great debate of our time began. When we look back at this era in head to head fantasy baseball we will remember this as the era of Harper and Los Angeles Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout. They are still both young enough that it’s difficult to definitively say that one is better than the other. However, up to this point, Trout has made it clear that he is out in front.

Trout’s excellent mix of speed and power has enabled him to outplay Harper in both 2012 and 2013, and 2014 is shaping up to be more of the same in head to head fantasy baseball. This season, Trout has 30 home runs and 94 RBI with 13 stolen bases (he has also struck out more times than in any previous seasons). Harper has once again battled injuries in 2014 and has hit only eight home runs with 26 RBI and only one stolen base.

While Harper still shows a lot of promise, his status as once-in-a-lifetime prospect that he had bestowed upon him through much of the first half of this decade, is definitely in jeopardy. It is only natural that head to head fantasy baseball gurus make a big deal out of every time that Harper does something, but those instances are becoming fewer and more far between as time wears on. Trout has been outperforming Harper on a regular basis since both have entered the league. Yes, it will help if Harper is able to stay on the field more, but the fact of the matter is that Harper just has not lived up to expectations while he is on the field for the Washington Nationals.