Royals I found our catcher of the future

cmh6476 · 06-15-2009, 03:22 PM

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=955764

LAS VEGAS -- A 16-year-old baseball phenom dubbed the game's "Chosen One" by Sports Illustrated plans to skip his final two years of high school in hopes of entering the Major League Baseball draft earlier, his father said.

Bryce Harper has registered at a community college where he plans to attend classes in the fall and play next season, his father Ron Harper said.

"People question your parenting and what you're doing. Honestly, we don't think it's that big a deal," Ron Harper said. "He's not leaving school to go work in a fast food restaurant. Bryce is a good kid. He's smart and he's going to get his education."

Ron Harper announced his son's decision on Saturday in Oklahoma City.

Harper, a 6-foot-3-inch catcher whom experts say could be a top draft pick when he becomes eligible, recently signed enrollment forms and a letter of intent to play for the College of Southern Nevada.

Harper plans to take a high school equivalency test and enter the draft in 2010 or 2011, Ron Harper said.

"Bryce is always looking for his next challenge," Ron Harper said. He's going to pursue his education, too. He's going to get pushed academically and athletically."

Harper hit .626 with 14 homers, 55 RBIs and 36 steals last season for Las Vegas High School.

His photo is on the cover of the June 8 issue of Sports Illustrated, along with a headline that compares him to LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball star who received superstar hype in high school before getting picked first in the 2003 NBA draft.

Ron Harper said his son pushed to leave high school early.

"He was thinking about it, he initiated it," the father said. "He said, 'Dad, why can't I take my GED and do this?"'

Players become eligible for the draft at age 16 if they have completed high school.

BigVE · 06-15-2009, 03:25 PM

SI had a nice article about this kid...if I remember right it mentioned how he has had several HR's measured over 500 feet and can throw a fastball in the mid 90's. What a freak.

sedated · 06-15-2009, 03:31 PM

if he goes into the draft next year, the royals have a lot of work to do to get the #1 pick. the nationals could end up with Strasburg and Harper (and a lot of debt)

**gblowfish** · 06-15-2009, 03:36 PM

We'll let him share a house with Colt Griffin.

58kcfan89 · 06-15-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

We'll let him share a house with Colt Griffin.

This. And if the Royals did draft him, no way he'd stick around after his first contract ran out. I'd like to think we at least have a shot at keeping some of our draft picks long-term.

**DeezNutz** · 06-15-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58kcfan89

This. And if the Royals did draft him, no way he'd stick around after his first contract ran out. I'd like to think we at least have a shot at keeping some of our draft picks long-term.

Why would this be the case?

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-15-2009, 03:49 PM

This would be nice, he'll be a National.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-15-2009, 03:58 PM

He was using an aluminum bat, but its still impressive.

CoMoChief · 06-15-2009, 04:01 PM

Welp, time to tank the season after July.

CoMoChief · 06-15-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Why would this be the case?

Are you serious? Roughly 15 years of terrible front office decisons STILL hasn't gotten your attention about what the front office is all about? (profit)

They'd rather make money than win. PERIOD.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-15-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Welp.

Thats not a real word.

Halfcan · 06-15-2009, 05:16 PM

the kid looks good-but lots do at that age.

LaChapelle · 06-15-2009, 05:16 PM

Shouldn't this be a thread on the OrangeMane?

Sure-Oz · 06-15-2009, 05:19 PM

so we need to go 0-162 next year then

CoMoChief · 06-15-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

Thats not a real word.

The hell it isn't!!!!!!!

06-15-2009, 03:22 PM
cmh6476 Keep Camp Home! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Joe MO Casino cash: $2716277	I found our catcher of the future http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=955764 LAS VEGAS -- A 16-year-old baseball phenom dubbed the game's "Chosen One" by Sports Illustrated plans to skip his final two years of high school in hopes of entering the Major League Baseball draft earlier, his father said. Bryce Harper has registered at a community college where he plans to attend classes in the fall and play next season, his father Ron Harper said. "People question your parenting and what you're doing. Honestly, we don't think it's that big a deal," Ron Harper said. "He's not leaving school to go work in a fast food restaurant. Bryce is a good kid. He's smart and he's going to get his education." Ron Harper announced his son's decision on Saturday in Oklahoma City. Harper, a 6-foot-3-inch catcher whom experts say could be a top draft pick when he becomes eligible, recently signed enrollment forms and a letter of intent to play for the College of Southern Nevada. Harper plans to take a high school equivalency test and enter the draft in 2010 or 2011, Ron Harper said. "Bryce is always looking for his next challenge," Ron Harper said. He's going to pursue his education, too. He's going to get pushed academically and athletically." Harper hit .626 with 14 homers, 55 RBIs and 36 steals last season for Las Vegas High School. His photo is on the cover of the June 8 issue of Sports Illustrated, along with a headline that compares him to LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball star who received superstar hype in high school before getting picked first in the 2003 NBA draft. Ron Harper said his son pushed to leave high school early. "He was thinking about it, he initiated it," the father said. "He said, 'Dad, why can't I take my GED and do this?"' Players become eligible for the draft at age 16 if they have completed high school.
Posts: 9,268

06-15-2009, 03:25 PM	#2
BigVE Veteran Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: centralKs Casino cash: $10005250	SI had a nice article about this kid...if I remember right it mentioned how he has had several HR's measured over 500 feet and can throw a fastball in the mid 90's. What a freak. __________________ Meh.
Posts: 4,829

06-15-2009, 03:36 PM	#4
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17686178 VARSITY	We'll let him share a house with Colt Griffin.
Posts: 40,830

06-15-2009, 03:49 PM	#7
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	This would be nice, he'll be a National.
Posts: 59,997

06-15-2009, 03:58 PM	#8
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	He was using an aluminum bat, but its still impressive.
Posts: 59,997

06-15-2009, 04:01 PM	#9
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	Welp, time to tank the season after July.
Posts: 39,155

06-15-2009, 05:16 PM	#12
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	the kid looks good-but lots do at that age.
Posts: 43,200

06-15-2009, 05:16 PM	#13
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	Shouldn't this be a thread on the OrangeMane?
Posts: 8,588