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Thumbnail highlights
- Best Player: Derek Norris
- Best Pitcher: Drew Storen
- Keep An Eye On: Brad Meyers
Update: BA’s blog has an update on USA Baseball’s 18-and-under squad with a familiar name leading the way
[Bryce] Harper, a catcher who left Las Vegas High two years early to enroll in junior college and be eligible for the 2010 draft, is one of seven alumni from last year’s 16U national team.
Included is a video of Harper (I have not watched as my network at work blocks it).
#1 by Jeff - September 18th, 2009 at 17:59
Could someone with a BA subscription email me the Nats final report. I would be very appreciative.
Jeff
#2 by estuartj - September 18th, 2009 at 20:50
The report says that the whole national competition will be played with wood bats;
Is this the first time Harper has competed with a wood bat?
Will the scrimmages vs local CC teams be played with Metal or wood?
#3 by estuartj - September 18th, 2009 at 21:16
Another interesting note is that Harper is listed as a C/OF, I’m guessing they’ll have him play LF/RF so he can play every day of the tournament.
#4 by RD - September 18th, 2009 at 23:40
I believe wood was used at the aflac game. Not Harper’s best game though …
#5 by RD - September 19th, 2009 at 06:11
I believe wood was used at the aflac game. Not Harper’s best game though … Sorry, forgot to add great post! Can’t wait to see your next post!
#6 by Dick Salmon - September 19th, 2009 at 10:34
Pirates win, Nats win! Tragic number now 10.
#7 by Mark - September 19th, 2009 at 11:38
I don’t have a subscription but Morris was the best hitter, which IMO is not the same as the best player. There should be a balance of defense thrown in their, and he was not chosen for that. Also, it seems a little cheap that Storen got best pitcher award. Clearly dominant in the appearances he made, but other pitchers I thought worked harder for a longer period of time with results to show for it… and showed major talent for their level. Storen is probably the most MLB ready of all the candidates, though.
#8 by JayB - September 19th, 2009 at 17:01
Brian,
You are much more likely to have an answer or able to ask the question to Rizzo but what are they thinking putting Desmond in RF? Is it hat hard to see the answer here. Put him at SS everyday every inning and get ready for next year. God I hate the Nats management! Just when you think they finally get it they prove they have no clue what they are doing. WHY Brian, WHY?
#9 by Chris - September 19th, 2009 at 17:31
JayB-
I believe it was only to get him some ABs and nothing more. Don’t read too far into it.
#10 by JayB - September 19th, 2009 at 17:38
Chris,
SS in the National League get to hit too…..playing there seems to be a better idea to me…..Someone needs to explain to me why we are so concerned about Guzman ego. Rizzo needs to talk not Riggleman, Rizzo is making these calls I would hope.
#11 by Jason - September 20th, 2009 at 00:11
Harper hit an opposite field homer in USA’s first training game against Pitt CC. Anyone know if this was using wood or metal?
#12 by estuartj - September 20th, 2009 at 08:47
SoCH has a great write-up on Riggleman’s stupidity at FJB. I’ve been an appologist for Riggs before, but this is just getting silly – these are the kind of moves you would make managing a Congressional Softball League team (if Orr’s dad was the member).
I have no problem with Riggs being creative to get Desmond in the game everyday, but to make room for Orr, really?
If the Nats want another Lefty bat in the line-up for ‘10 they should trade for Miguel Montero of ARI, but Orr? – no thank you
#13 by JayB - September 20th, 2009 at 08:53
Steven really does make Riggs sound stupid as only he can, Steven can write……but Riggs sure gave him a lot of material to work with……Pete Orr is our best home to win. Take the bat out of Zimm’s hands with the game on the line. It does make you think the Riggs is trying so hard to keep the job, he will end up losing it.
#14 by Chris - September 20th, 2009 at 10:25
JayB-
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like it either. Just trying to express that I don’t think there were any plans to move him to the outfield in the future if that was the concern.
#15 by JayB - September 20th, 2009 at 10:31
Chris,
I get your point. My point is it is just setting him up to fail and we are learning nothing about the real question at hand. Is he going to be like the other SS Boz documented in a recent chat that had tons of Minor League Errors but improved drastically with MLB fields and lighting or is he truly a train reck in the field and thus not really a prospect at any position.
Playing him in RF is STUPID!
#16 by peric - September 21st, 2009 at 23:21
Desmond is in right so that Riggleman can play they guy he appears to be pushing very hard, and attempting to showcase: Pete Orr. Since I am also a Chiefs fan I was not happy that Orr is attempting to show that he can do better than the .242 anemic offensive support he provided in SYR. I guess I like the Padillas, the JD Martins, and the Morse’s because they pitched right in there to what was then a fairly prospect-less AAA team, and helped keep the National’s promise to give SYR a competitive, winning team. Unlike the previous affiliate Toronto.
I am very sorry but I will find it very hard to accept Orr after watching Desmond arrive in SYR and hammer the cover off the ball in AAA/AAAA or whatever designation you want to give it. While Orr did not.
#17 by peric - September 21st, 2009 at 23:22
And now Pete Orr (probably at Riggleman’s behest) wants to be a catcher? I still say you should have played as hard in AAA and maybe the Chiefs would have won their division? I guess I will never be an Orr fan.