Not Another Bryce Harper Post...

Bryce Harper has generated more hype than a 17-year-old probably should. The CC of Southern Nevada freshman is not a slam-dunk, can't-miss prospect, and there is too much hyperbole surrounding him. With that said, I am encouraged by the results over Harper's first 20 games and would have no qualms taking him 1-1 if the draft were today. He is not flawless or a finished product, but Harper's natural tools are simply too loud to pass up at this point.

In a wood-bat conference, the 6-3, 205-pound Harper is hitting .408/.500/.831 through 71 at-bats. He has blasted 6 home runs and drawn 14 walks, making him the team leader in each of those categories. His pure strength and bat speed give him off-the-charts power, and Harper has showed it is usable in-game power. The biggest question offensively centers on the exaggerated hitch in Harper's load. He has whiffed 17 times this year and may not be an above-average contact hitter long-term. Scouts and fans should remind themselves Harper is only 17, though. He is a fierce gamer and has the intense drive to keep getting better. He seems to have toned down and quieted his stroke recently as well.

Harper has played catcher, third base, and the outfield this season, and it remains to be seen where he will end up. Along with his cannon arm, Harper has enough athleticism to stick at one of those positions. He projects to be an impact offensive player at any one of those spots. One can make the argument for a Jameson Taillon or a Deck McGuire, but personally I would line Harper up at #1 on the draft board at this point. He is not faultless or a sure bet, but I can't help but come away impressed at Bryce Harper's performance with a wood bat and against older competition this season.

Harper Set to Expedite Ascent

Rumors have been swirling recently about the next step for 16-year-old Las Vegas HS phenom Bryce Harper, and now the überprospect is giving everyone an answer. In order to make himself eligible for next year's draft, Harper will enroll at the College of Southern Nevada. (All junior college players are subject to the draft.) The 6-3 sophomore catcher will get his GED this fall and skip his last 2 years of high school.

This is an unprecedented move for Harper, but I think will be good for him. Judging by his stats and scouting reports, he has absolutely nothing left to prove in high school. He put up gaudy numbers this year (.626 AVG, 14 HR, 36 SB), and his junior and senior years are just going to be filled with more obliteration. He is a rare talent and is generating more hype than anyone not named Strasburg; it will be good to give him more challenging competition, and to make him eligible for the draft a year early. (Barring a setback, he'll be the #1 overall pick even as a 17-year-old.) Baseball is obviously his future career, so missing the second half of high school doesn't really matter in this unique situation. This dude is younger than me and he already has a Wikipedia page.

Harper To Grace SI Cover

Las Vegas High sophomore prodigy Bryce Harper (.626/.723/1.339 with 14 HRs and 36 SBs this year) has made it big-time. The 16-year-old will be on the cover of an upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated. Harper, a catcher with plus-plus power and a rifle arm, is garnering attention as an underclassman much like Justin Upton and Delmon Young did, but Harper is considered their superior (and nearly on Stephen Strasburg's level). Check out my earlier post for more on Harper.

Harper's SI appearance is just ridiculous. He is younger than me, yet he is already considered one of the top prospects in baseball. He has received lots of ink from Baseball America for at least a year now, but that's not surprising. It's more incredible that he is on Sports Illustrated, which is a pretty mainstream magazine. I can't wait to see Harper in a couple of years, when he is draft-eligible.