19 Year Old Major Leaguer: Bryce Harper

 

Bryce Harper: (6’3″, 210)

After a whirlwind of attention over the past several years, Bryce Harper is poised to most likely be the starter for the Washington Nationals.  A story out of the ordinary at 19 years old the outfielder from Las Vegas took his GED, skipped his senior year of high school and enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada. From there the party was over and Harper dominated hitting 4 homeruns in one game totaling 31 HR on the year and shattering a previous school record of 12.  He has been called the best pure baseball talent they have ever seen, resembling Josh Hamilton at a much earlier stage. From college, Harper was drafted by the Washington, Nationals first overall in 2010 and has moved through the minors quickly. He has shown power, patience, and most importantly the mental strength to block out distractions and hype.

Harper has demonstrated confidence with edge his every move scrutinized by the media. Although he still has some maturing to do, part of the appeal with Harper is his confidence and his ability to get into the heads of pitchers.  Despite the attention, he still carries a swagger and he continues to perform.  Come this April I am really pulling for this kid if he plays. He will be a target. Opposing pitchers will push him off the plate and try to scare him. If he does play there surely will be a transitional period, as most hitters have to find their rhythm early in the year. But when it all comes together, this kid is going to be huge and crushing baseballs for many years to come.

502 foot HR Tropicana Field Record…wow