Bryce Harper selected with No.1 pick by Nationals
A year ago the Washington Nationals selected pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg as the No.1 overall pick in the MLB draft. This time they selected another phenom in Bryce Harper.
Selected out of the College of Southern Nevada with the first overall pick on Monday night, the Nationals took the much-hyped Harper, hoping they’ve found their superstar slugger of the future.
Despite playing as a catcher in college, the 17-year-old was selected as an outfielder by Washington. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is confident Harper will be able to make the adjustment to playing in the field.
"We're going to take the rigour and the pressures of learning the position, the difficult position of catcher, away from him, and really let him concentrate on the offensive part of the game and let his athleticism take over as an outfielder,” Rizzo said.
Harper skipped his last two years of high school to attend junior college and hit .443 with 31 homers and 98 RBIs in a wood bat league, whilst playing catcher. Despite showing good defensive qualities behind the plate Harper is excited about learning a new position and is willing to play anywhere as long as he makes it to the big leagues.
“It's what I've wanted since I was 7 years old,” Harper said.
“I can get better out there, I think. Anywhere they need me, I'll play. I just want to make it and we'll see what happens when I get there,” he added.
Harper will likely demand a record contract for a No.1 pick but the Nationals will be well rehearsed in negotiating with a top prospect. Last year they negotiated a record breaking four-year $15.1 million contract with Strasburg, signing him minutes before the negotiating period was over.
The Nationals have until August 16 to sign Harper to a contract, and with both Harper and Strasburg sharing the same agent, Scott Boras, negotiations could take a while.
Notorious for getting his client what he wants, Harper could sign his deal at the last minute like Strasburg and though Harper says he has other options open to him Rizzo is confident the Nationals will get their man.
"I can't remember back-to-back years where there's two players that have separated themselves from the rest of the field. In that respect, it is very, very unique. I think it's a lucky time to have two No. 1 picks overall."
"He's a player that wants to get out and play. He's the type of guy that does not enjoy idle time."
Tags: