Hopefully the Nationals will not be in the position to have to worry about the #1 overall selection in 2011, but the name at the forefront of a draft over two years away could very well challenge Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez as the most hyped prep player in draft history. His name is Bryce Harper and he is currently a high school sophomore playing catcher for Las Vegas High. His season just ended but Baseball America takes a look at the clubhouse favorite for #1 overall in 2011.
He hit .626/.723/1.339 in 115 at-bats. He had 22 doubles, nine triples and 14 home runs, eight of which came in his last seven games. He scored 76 runs while driving in 55. He walked 39 times and struck out just five. He also stole 36 bases in 39 attempts and ended the season on a 23-game hitting streak.
#1 by Jeff E. - May 19th, 2009 at 19:18
We would love this kid in our system.
#2 by Andrew Z. Stebbins - May 19th, 2009 at 20:30
Yep. I wouldn’t mind being awful for another year for that pick. Then it’s win time.
#3 by joNAThan - May 19th, 2009 at 21:02
Brian
With the Nats in first place for the #1 pick in 2010, any early names for the 2010 draft?
#4 by Brian Oliver - May 19th, 2009 at 21:05
No one stands out anywhere to the degree Strasburg does in 2009 and Harper in 2011.
The names are mostly college pitchers right now. Anthony Ranuado (RHP from LSU) is just one of a few names
#5 by Ryan - May 19th, 2009 at 21:41
FYI- The Nats drafted Bryce Harper’s brother last year in the 30th or so round… supposedly Bryce was the best player in Nevada as a 14yr old HS frosh… youtube him, it is worth the time-
As for 2010, lots of college pitchers at the forefront… Deck McGuire from GTech, Matt Harvey from UNC, Ranaudo as mentioned before, and Rick Hague SS from Rice are the best I’ve seen so far-
#6 by ben - May 19th, 2009 at 23:59
I don’t think it strains the imagination to believe we have a hot at drafting this guy…
#7 by Mike - May 20th, 2009 at 01:57
JoNAThan, I believe the Nats can’t get the first pick next year. I’m pretty sure the 1st pick alternates between the AL and NL, and since the Nats have it this year, next year the worst AL team will get the first pick (so that puts the Nats in line for the 2nd pick in the 2010 draft). 2011′s Bryce Harper draft however, will be an NL pick.
#8 by Guy Holly - May 20th, 2009 at 03:36
I’m pretty sure it goes by worst record not by league.
#9 by Brian Oliver - May 20th, 2009 at 05:38
It no longer alternates between leagues. The picks are ordered by worst record regardless of league
#10 by cjrugger - May 20th, 2009 at 09:21
the hr he hit at tropicana field earlier this year was simply amazing
that said, i really hope we don’t have the opportunity to draft him
#11 by SlowPitch63 - May 20th, 2009 at 09:45
According to Kirk Kenney SDSU won it’s first round game in the Mountain West double elimination tournament and will play New Mexico today at 1000 our time. Strasburg will pitch.
Let’s play two!
#12 by Mike - May 21st, 2009 at 00:04
Brian, Thanks. Great news … err, I guess. :(