Bryce Harper fetches a high price
Washington Nationals have successfully completed their signing of top overall draft pick Bryce Harper. The five-year deal came through on Monday night as the Nationals penned a $9.9 million agreement before the deadline.
The move comes as no surprise as the Washington Nationals have done the same thing before. A year ago, they completed the signing of Stephen Strasburg for $15.1 million. He was also a number one draft pick and there is no astonishment on the recent news, given the ball club’s weak position in the league. The expensive signing from last year went on to make his debut appearance in the league on June 8th, a day after Harper was selected.
Harper was a junior college catcher. Now, the Nationals plan to make the 17-year-old, 6 foot 3 inch, 205 pound powerhouse into an outfielder. Bryce has struck 0.443 with 31 homers and 98 Running Bat Ins with the College of South Nevada - popularly known for playing wooden bats in the league. The player sacrificed his last two years of high school and got his GED in order to be eligible for the amateur draft for 2010.
Being titled as the most exciting prodigy since James LeBron by Sports Illustrated at only 16, the high level prospect performer has called on high expectations from his new team and spectators, alike. He recently became the second junior college player after Alex Fernandez in 1990 to win the country’s Golden Spikes Award, which is usually awarded to the top amateur baseball player for the Nationals.
The agreement hits a record total for a non-pitcher, signed through the draft selection without becoming a free agent. Mark Teixeira from the New York Yankees was the previous player to set that high mark for his major league deal, estimating a 4-year $9.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2001.
Mike Rizzo, The National’s General Manager, has paid much attention to the deal over the past few months. His role in the agreement was paramount, but his intention lies with bringing the glory to the home fans of the National. He recently stressed on the importance of having the teenager come to the team’s home stand, expected to start on next Monday. He also emphasized on seeing the new signing report with novice tier Gulf Coast Ball Club in Florida as quickly as possible.
There’s no question as to what the strategy of the Washington management is. They want to build their talent quickly and harness the rewards sooner rather than later. They’re far from satisfactory in the league and the tension has been piling up on the decision makers for a very long time now. In addition to Harper, fourth Round draft pick A.J. Cole, a high school right handed pitcher and 2nd round pick Sammy Solis, a left hand pitcher from University of San Diego, were also signed on by the Nationals. From what one can assess, things will change in the team pretty soon. The only question that remains is when will the team introduce these enormous talents in the Major League format?
Coming back to Bryce, his contract signals a signing incentive for $6.25 million to be collected on five equal payments starting from July 1st, 2011 and ending in 2014. The player’s annual collection would amount to $1.25 million, apart from the salary. His wages for 2011 and 2012, on the other hand would start on $500,000. In 2013, his salary would increase to $750,000. In 2014, that would go up to $900,000 and in 2015, his pay would amount to $1 million.
On top of the salary and the signing bonus, there would be a roster bonus that could go up to as high as $10.9 million altogether. Harper would avail that surplus amount in the last two years of his contract if he spends 30 to 120 days on the Major league roster, gaining $125,000 on every 30 days each year.
The fact of the story is that the player is amazingly talented. But the matter to deal with in this case, doesn’t really concern the reputation of the player. Bryce may be a hot prospect, but Major League Baseball is a different ball game. With the pitchers getting a lot more leverage from the rules, it will be interesting to see how the teenager would adapt to the game.
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