This is a novel that feels like it was written for an MFA program. The prose always feels purposeful and calculated, sometimes to a fault, allowing plot and realism to take a backseat for the sake of trying to say something profound with the writing. That can be grating at points. 
 This novel also tackles what should be a pretty complex gay relationship and sort of fumbles with it a bit. It seemed like Harbach felt he needed to stay on the surface of it, to play it safe. I don't think homosexuality is handled poorly in the novel, but it felt like there were obvious ways to take it further. The most obvious misstep for me was the fact that you get chapters from the perspectives of all the main protagonists except for one: Owen, the openly gay roommate and teammate. I think that left a lot of missed opportunities for empathy and insight, and I wonder what Harbach's reason was for not doing it. 
 Now that those things are out of the way, I read through this novel's 500+ pages within a busy work week, which is quick for me. I really enjoyed it. It has some profound things to say about self-worth, how identity is built, learning from mistakes and success; everything you would expect from a novel about college athletes. I'm not big on sports but Harbach handles the action of baseball practices and games expertly, making me feel invested in the players and the games' outcomes. 
 The characters, though, really make this novel. The perspectives of the protagonists all felt different and genuine and make for great storytelling. I liked and disliked them all for specific reasons (as if they were real people!). Sometimes they make some pretty weird and sudden choices, though, which you can hock up to either Habach trying to use them to say something or just...them being college students. If I had to choose one of their perspectives to see the whole novel through, it'd be a really hard choice, which is usually something I cannot say when an author tries this multiple perspectives thing; one obviously comes out on top as the one the author put the most thought and effort into. This is really a feat and testament to Harbach's writing and it makes me again lament the fact that we don't get chapters from Owen's perspective. 
 The Art of Fielding is interesting and well-written and conveys ideas well. Despite all its allusions to Moby-Dick it is not Moby-Dick or anything like that, though: don't expect to be shattered by its genius or walk around dumbfounded, questioning your worldview. However, it's a smart, solid story that will have you thinking about the characters days after reading it, and you'll have picked up some baseball lingo, too.