From One 23 to Another…Stay In Cleveland
June 15, 2009While We’re Waiting… Antawn Jamison Rumors, Saying No to Shaq, and OSU Rakes in the Cash
June 16, 2009
There’s bound to be a lot of talks regarding Bryce Harper over the next few months. Even more so as we head into 2010. Yes, that 2010.
Coincidentally, Harper has also been dubbed “The Chosen One” on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high schooler.
After all, he’s a 6’3″ catcher – at age 16 – that is hitting over .600 with a heck of a swing. Now that he has officially decided to skip his last two years of high school ball to head to college, there will be a ton of talks regarding his draft eligibility, teams that could perhaps “tank” in order to draft him during said year, and of course how much it will cost to sign Harper when the time eventually comes.
Baseball is considerably more challenging when it comes to scouting talent and drafting the right players. You have guys drafted in the ‘teens that wind up as All-Stars, and just as many first-rounders that never pan out at all. You have guys that mash at the Double- and Triple-A level and simply cannot touch major league pitching. Even aside from Andy Marte.
But given the make-up that this kid has, coupled with the fact that the Indians are not exactly toating the best record in baseball, would any part of you want to take a crack at being in the position to draft him? Odds are that he winds up with Scott Boras as his representative. You would have to endure two more years of terrible baseball; but in the same, what’s two more added to the mix? And he would likely wind up being a large chunk of the payroll for years to come.
I know what my answer is, but would any of you remotely consider wanting to “tank” the next year or two so that you can have an Indians jersey with “Harper” on the back?
His dad is named “Ron.” That has to count for something…
10 Comments
I don’t know. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, the kid should stay in school and get his dipolma. On the other, he’s pretty much assured he’ll be playing baseball professionally, so why not just get his GED and enter the draft. I can see both sides.
If he is drafted by the Indians, it should be put in his contract he has to wear #4.
“he has to wear #4.”
and then ulitmately be traded away for our future GM…
I saw that this skipping high school thing will enable him to be a part of the 2010 draft, which it would be near impossible for the Indians to be on top of at the rate the Nationals are playing:
Cleveland 29-36 (.446)
Washington 16-45 (.262)
We have an 11-game lead over them already. That would be tough to take over.. Unless anyone sincerely believes Harper will not be the first pick in the draft.
This isn’t basketball. Lebron could come in and turn around the Cavs immediately. Baseball players can’t have nearly as big an impact on their team. Certainly not enough to tank the next 2 years. My dad is getting old. Hell, *I’m* getting old. If there isn’t a payoff for our loyalty soon…..
If he signs with Boras (which is probably an afterthought already), He may command some silly bonus which could price a mid market team out of drafting him altogether.
Can he pitch?
If you read the article he’s also asked what his ambitions are…and one of them is to play in pinestripes…I don’t think that means the Twins. Seems like he’s only going to play is initial contract out with the team that drafts him. I’d rather not have that kinda headache.
He pitches and catches. Shapiro/Wedge will be signing him with full intentions of making him a future 2b and SS.
He is more of a catcher. I live in Vegas and went to see him a couple months ago after seeing his youtube clips of homeruns from Tropicana. This kid is legit. He is the fastest kid I have seen play high school baseball ever and his arm is an absolute cannon. He can get it to second on a frozen rope about 4 feet off the ground from his knees. It has also been written that his bat speed would be in the top 10 of the major leagues…right now.
The game I went to, they played Rancho High School. He was 3-4 with 2 doubles and a Triple. He also stole HOME. He pitches, but I haven’t seen it. He is said to be able to get into the mid-high 90’s.
On the topic of the Indians tanking. No thanks. I would never want to see my team blow it on purpose. However, if they manage to fall apart to the extent of getting the #1 pick, then I think you have to take him. It’s the Tribe, nothing will surprise me.
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