Kansas City Royals Eric Hosmer hits a RBI double in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during their MLB American League baseball game in Kansas City, Missouri, June 9, 2011. REUTERS/Dave Kaup (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)
The Objective: Compile a MLB roster complete with only the top minor league prospects.
The Rules: As long as they were viewed as a prospect coming into the 2011 season, they can be on this team. Thus, just because guys like Jeremy Hellickson and Eric Hosmer are already contributing at the Major League level, doesn’t mean they can’t be included on this team.
That’s it.
Let’s get nasty, Ricky.
C: Jesus Montero, Yankees
There’s no doubt that Montero is the future at catcher for the Yankees, but he may have some maturity issues to iron out first. He was benched twice earlier this month for showing a lack of energy and apparently loses focus at times. But that doesn’t mean the 21-year-old isn’t a great prospect, which he is. As soon as he shows he has the mental makeup to handle catching a big league staff, he’ll be up. In fact, I have a hard time believing the Bombers won’t recall him at some point in 2011. Honorable Mention: Gary Sanchez, Yankees; Devin Mesoraco, Reds.
1B: Eric Hosmer, Royals
Hosmer has been slumping recently but he’s still hitting .268 with five home runs and 26 RBI this year for the Royals. Those aren’t terrible stats for a 21-year-old trying to make adjustments to big league pitching. Considered the top first base prospect in baseball, it’ll be interesting to see how he fares throughout a grueling second half. Honorable Mention: Brandon Belt, Giants; Freddie Freeman, Braves.
2B: Dustin Ackley, Mariners
The M’s called Ackley up in mid-June and already the youngster is hitting over .300. In a recent win over the Marlins, Ackley went 3-for-5 with a double and a triple while scoring the go-ahead run in the 10th on a wild pitch. Once pitchers adjust, his batting average will likely drop but Seattle has to be thrilled so far with his production. Honorable Mention: Jason Kipnis, Indians.
3B: Mike Moustakas, Royals
Yet another one of the Royals’ young hitters makes this mock roster. Moustakas hit his first big-league homer in just his second game with the Royals earlier this month and has now reached base in seven of his last eight games. Outside of the one home run, his power hasn’t translated to the big leagues so far, but it’s still early. He has a short, compact swing and despite having an aggressive approach, he doesn’t strikeout a lot. He could be a star in Kansas City for years to come. Honorable Mention: Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays; Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians; Nick Castellanos, Tigers.
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper watches batting practice before a MLB spring training game against the New York Yankees in Tampa, Florida, March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Steve Nesius (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)
In a Class A South Atlantic League on Monday night, Washington Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper hit a home run to right-center field, stood at home plate to admire the longball before making his way around the base paths and then blew opposing pitcher Zach Neal a kiss while trotting down the third base line.
If you only read that opening sentence, then Harper sounds like immature teenager who is only holding himself back when it comes to advancing through Washington’s minor league system. If you hear the rest of the story then…Harper sounds like an immature teenager who is only holding himself back when it comes to advancing through Washington’s minor league system.
Some fans are giving Harper a free pass because apparently Neal was the one who said something to the outfielder as he made his way around the bases. In other words, Neal provoked Harper to blow him a kiss and therefore, Harper was somewhat justified in what he did. (Never mind the fact that Neal only scolded the young outfielder because Harper stood at home plate to admire his home run.)
But whether or not you like Harper’s cockiness or are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because he’s so young, it doesn’t change the fact that actions like these will only hold him back in the long run.
Look, he’s a teenager and teenagers make poor decisions. That’s just the way it is. Let’s keep in mind that Harper is only 18 and isn’t benefiting from going off to college to mature for four-plus years. He’s been the center of attention for years now and is already a millionaire before his 21st birthday.
But the point is to see this kid play in the major leagues as soon as possible. And whether he was provoked or not, blowing kisses at an opposing pitcher doesn’t give the Nationals confidence to promote him. They’re not just looking for a star player – they want Harper to be a solid clubhouse presence as well. How can they rely on him to be a well-rounded player if they breeze him through the minors without teaching him what it’s like to be a professional ballplayer first?
Some people can take or leave baseball’s “unwritten rules.” Personally, I favor some and think others are rather ridiculous. (For example, not being able to steal when you’re up by X amount of runs in the late innings. Hey, man up and throw those runners out if you don’t want them taking a free 90 feet on you.)
But whether you’re in favor of those unwritten rules or not, it doesn’t change the fact that baseball has always been a game that polices itself. Granted, times have changed and Major League Baseball has cracked down on retaliation plays. But if Harper doesn’t cool it he’s going to find a couple of fastballs in his ribs. I’m one of the few who appreciates an athlete’s cockiness but at the end of the day, showing up a pitcher isn’t beneficial to anyone – especially for a youngster like Harper who is trying to make his way to the big show.
It went down to the final minute of Monday’s Midnight deadline, but the Nationals finally agreed to terms with 2010 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Harper.
According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the deal will pay the 17-year-old Harper $9.9 million guaranteed over five years, while $6.25 million of the guaranteed portion of his contract is his signing bonus. He’ll receive base salaries of $500,000 in 2011 and 2012, $750,000 in 2013, $900,000 in 2014 and $1 million in 2015.
The Nationals will reportedly move Harper to right field (his natural position is catcher) in order to put him on the fast track to the big leagues. The club loves his power potential and assuming he can move through the minor league ranks quickly, he might be able to make an impact in the major leagues in a couple of years.
Thanks to Harper and 2009 first round pick Stephen Strasburg, the Nats are loaded with young talent for the foreseeable future.
When the 22-year-old face of your franchise says things like, “If he doesn’t want to play here, then we don’t want him here,” it’s hard not to take a liking to him.
That comment was uttered by Stephen Strasburg when asked whether or not he had any advice for Bryce Harper – the Nationals’ No. 1 overall pick this year who has until Midnight tonight to agree to terms with the club.
Here’s Strasburg’s full quote, courtesy of Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post:
“I don’t have any advice for him,” Strasburg said. “It’s his decision. If he wants to play here, he’s going to play here. He doesn’t need advice from anyone to confirm his views. If he doesn’t want to play here, then we don’t want him here. That’s the bottom line.”
Granted, it’s a little easier for Strasburg to say that now that he’s comfortably viewing the situation from the inside looking out. A year ago, Strasburg and the Nationals went down to the final seconds of the 2009 deadline before agreeing to a record-breaking four-year, $15.1 million contract. He’s represented by Scott Boras, the same agent that represents Harper.
Strasburg knows that signing a contract is just business. He had talent that the Nationals wanted, so he and Boras made them pay for that talent. But the bottom line is that he eventually did sign, which is something the 17-yard-old Harper has yet to do.
By saying what he did, Strasburg has drawn a line in the sand for Harper: You’re either with us, or against us. Strasburg reminds us that even though financial matters are part of the business, the game of baseball still boils down to competing. Seeing as how Harper is going to be a rich man know matter what, the only question that remains is whether or not he wants to compete along with Strasburg and an up-and-coming Nationals club.
If he doesn’t, then here’s hoping that he can sleep tonight knowing that he passed up on millions of guaranteed money.
Suddenly, the future for Washington D.C. baseball looks awfully promising.
A year after taking pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg with the No. 1 overall pick, the Nationals took catcher Bryce Harper with the top selection during Monday’s MLB draft.
Harper doesn’t even turn 18 until October, but he hit .417 with 21 dingers in 51 games at a junior college last season. While his natural position is catcher, the club actually announced him as an outfielder when they selected him. Catchers usually take longer to get to the big leagues because they have to learn how to handle a major league pitching staff. But if Harper can play the outfield, he’ll likely spend less time in the minors.
While it’s important not to expect too much too soon out of them, if both Strasburg and Harper live up to their potential, the Nationals have two pieces in which they can build their franchise around for years to come. If nothing else, this will be an exciting team to watch over the next couple of seasons with the amount of young talent they’ll have coming up through the minors.
Barring an injury or a drastic change, the Nationals will likely take 17-year-old catcher Bryce Harper with the first pick in the June Draft. According to a source familiar with the situation, they see Harper as being head and shoulders above anyone else in the 2010 draft class and believe he could reach the majors within 2 1/2 years.
Harper, who has been called “the LeBron James of baseball,” completed his GED in December 2009 so he could play junior-college baseball and be eligible for the 2010 draft, rather than finish high school. He is currently playing at the College of Southern Nevada, where he is batting .422 with a .516 on-base percentage, .891 slugging percentage, 15 homers and 42 RBI in 39 games.
The Nationals are pleased with Harper’s arrangement, as it makes him easier to scout than he would be if he was in high school. He is already playing with a wood bat, and the junior-college level of competition is higher than what he’d face in high school. What’s more, Harper is getting pitched to at Southern Nevada, where most high school teams would pitch around him.
Most of the talk surrounding Harper is whether or not he made the right decision to skip the final two years of high school in order to take classes and play at College of Southern Nevada. There’s already a ton of pressure being heaved onto his shoulders and considering he’s so young, no one can predict whether or not he can handle all of the expectations.
That said, Harper is a phenomenal talent. His primary position is catcher, but he has also been clocked throwing 96 mph as a pitcher. He’s best known for hitting a 502-foot home run during the 2009 International Power Showcase at Tropicana Field. The blast is currently on record for being the longest home run in that stadium.
The nice thing about MLB is that whether or not he’s taken with the first overall pick, Harper will have to produce in the minors before he “arrives” at the major league level. Given how young he is, he can take his time developing before he goes the rout of Albert Pujols or Alex Rodriguez, two players that were on the fast track to playing professional ball.
If you’ve been living under a rock lately and haven’t yet heard the name Bryce Harper, get accustomed to it because you’re going to be hearing it a lot over the next year.
Harper is the 16-year-old Las Vegas High School baseball player who graced the cover of a recent Sports Illustrated with the words “Chosen One” written besides his photo. This season, he’s batted .626 with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs. In 2008, he batted .590 with 11 home runs and 67 RBIs in 38 games for LVHS.
He’s being hyped as the best amateur baseball player at his age since Alex Rodriguez turned heads at Miami’s Westminster Christian High School. And thanks to his decision to skip his junior and senior year of high school by taking a GED test that will allow him to enroll in community college, Harper could be eligible for the 2010 MLB Draft.
