Looks like the Nats will get this guy too, Bryce Harper

Enrolling in Junior College may make him eligible for 2010s draft, which is shaping up to have the Nats at the top

Comments

We still have time

JK!

by ak123 on Jun 14, 2009 3:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What’s the hurry with this kid? If he’s legit, he’ll be better served in life by finishing high school with his class, rather than leaving after his SOPHOMORE year to go to a stint at a JuCo so he can be eligible a year earlier. What are his parents thinking???

by Orval Overall on Jun 14, 2009 3:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They are thinking about all the money he will get

Proper parenting be damned.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jun 14, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The point in life is to get a job and hopefully flourish

Whats the difference if he does it at 16 or 17, if your chosen career path doesnt require years of schooling, whats the big deal? I dont see why people get up in arms about these sort of things, if he were European and a soccer player, he’d already be getting paid

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 14, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm all for people getting to the pros quickly

and all for people getting paid as fast as they can, but skipping two years of high school? Thats too much IMO. You should at least have some sort of education in case his baseball career fails, which there is a good chance it does.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jun 14, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he will have millions of dollars

once drafted. that is the back up if he fails. i agree i dont see why people complain about people leaving school early for a sport IF you are going to make money like this. I agree COMPLETELY with when bren said above

by Glacier on Jun 14, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plus if he does fail, he'll have the money to go to school

which is a lot as anyone w/ student loans can attest

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 14, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

We are talking about a multi-million dollar contract here. That sets you up for LIFE. Yeah he could go back to school if he fails. I wouldnt though! HA I would just enjoy that cool cash

by Glacier on Jun 14, 2009 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But the point is

that the multimillion dollar contract will still be there in 2011. In fact, the money is likely to be greater, and an extra year of maturity before starting pro ball could have a positive impact on his future career.

A $20 million bonus is a lot of money, but its two seasons of what Milton Bradley makes—and less than what ARod makes in a season. The money is to be made down the road as a superstar signing a $100 million contract, not having to “settle” for what Milton Bradley makes.

You could argue, and I’m sure Harper would, that he’d be better playing in the minors than in high school. From an instructional point of view, sure. But not from the standpoint of having to deal with all the off-the-field crap that can ruin a career.

by Josh77 on Jun 15, 2009 6:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right.

He’s risking becoming the baseball version of Todd Marinovich.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jun 15, 2009 7:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thats a baseless assumption though

He could very well be a mature 16 year old, we have no idea, nor do we have any idea of his support system, perhaps his family will move with him where ever he plays, many young athletes do that.

I just think its wrong to assume this kid will fall flat on his face

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 15, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This kid sounds quite impressive

if you read the SI article. if i remember correctly he has a 3.5 gpa and does bible school every day.

by Glacier on Jun 15, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Means nothing

The kid could be quite mature. But I can promise you, just because you get good grades and read the bible doesn’t make you mature. My high-school teacher wife has confirmed this.

I don’t think he’ll be Todd Marinovich if he does this. But it’s possible. And my point still stands-the money will still be there in 2011. Even a serious injury would not hurt his draft stock much.

by Josh77 on Jun 15, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you don't think there is any risk in waiting?

by Glacier on Jun 16, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This

Get your high school degree. The money will be there.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jun 15, 2009 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why delay what you can do today

We’re talking life changing money for himself and future generations….i dont see what the big deal is or why people get so up in arms

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 15, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think people are up

in arms. I think most people are calmly and rationally offering their opinions. I think everyone here wants him to succeed,

by Josh77 on Jun 15, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well I meant in general

they were talking about this on PTI today, as things like this do, people tend to get enraged, though Im sure some of it is phony.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 15, 2009 11:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

PTI

gets up in arms about bears hitting trampolines. That’s kind of their thing.

by Josh77 on Jun 16, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok but

if you want him to wait an extra year that means thats extra year if pro coaching and a year of not having at bats against competitive talent. I understand what your saying and it is a valid point. but this way he could potentially get to the majors even quicker which could also result it more money. Either way you look at kids gonna be rich

by Glacier on Jun 15, 2009 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He will have millions of dollars

if he finishes high school too.

by Orval Overall on Jun 15, 2009 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

with the soccer argument. Freddy Adu was a pro at 14

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jun 14, 2009 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And he went from phenom

to “Who?” in a hurry.

by Orval Overall on Jun 15, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly

He’s made multiple appearances for the National Team and was sold for millions of dollars to one of the top teams in Portugal and hes only 20 years old

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 15, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, its not.

This might be a little too philosophical, but “the point” of life is not to make money. It can be a lot of things, but at best making money is something that can enrich one’s life and make it easier. If his whole life is about money and baseball, what’s he going to do if his career craps out, as it absolutely might?

by Orval Overall on Jun 15, 2009 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

no you are right.

but your parents always tell you " go to school because that will get you a good job that will make you money" This kids life IS baseball. He loves it and this is what he wants to do. He is confident.

by Glacier on Jun 15, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and I know the reason I am going to college is for the money and I would assume thats why most college students go, to get a good job to make money. But yeah it isnt true for everyone.

by Glacier on Jun 15, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Life is about surviving and in order to do so you need money

and the career path he has chose doesnt require an education, he’s going to be set for life, making a high school degree unnecessary, plus he’ll be spending a year at a junior college, which one can assume is tougher than highschool

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 15, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if he was Latin American he would have been signed already, too.

Michel Inoa was signed at 16 last year for $4.25 million by the A’s.

With Scott Boras advising the family, I’m sure Boras is cooking up some challenges to baseball’s draft and signing systems.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jun 15, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

but the alternative for Inoa is to sit in a third-world country with a nearly non-existent school system in abject poverty with his family. That is not Bryce Harper’s alternate choice.

by Josh77 on Jun 15, 2009 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also true.

But I think the Harpers (and Scott Boras, who continues to try and overhaul the draft) would make the argument that their son is penalized by playing baseball in America, rather than playing in a foreign country, where he could receive a contract earlier.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jun 16, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure

but that’s a legal argument. I’m not arguing that Harper shouldn’t have the right to do what he is planning on doing. I’m saying it would be better for his personal and professional development to not do it.

But that does bring up another issue, in that if Harper tries this, Selig is almost certain t try to block that loophole before he can use it.

by Josh77 on Jun 16, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like Adam Dunn isn't so dumb, after all.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 14, 2009 5:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What do you mean?

The Nats aren’t going to be any good for 3-4 years, by which time Dunn will be long gone from DC.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Jun 14, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he'll like it enough in DC to re-sign?

Of course, he probably won’t be able to play the outfield at that point. (Not that he can right now.)

OK, forget it. Joke retracted.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 14, 2009 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Nats could be the equivalent of the Penguins in a few years

Suck for a long time, luck into 2 monumental draft picks; so Strasburg and Harper could be their Crosby and Malkin; not likely,but how fortuitous that they land the top pick for two of the most hyped prospects ever

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 14, 2009 8:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be so quick to project this kid as "The Next Big Thing".

I’m not quite sure what his parents are thinking. If he really has the talent, what’s the rush? He may have major league talent but lots of teenagers have been proclaimed as “The Next Big Thing” so I’m skeptical of this kind of projection about a 16 year old.

Why skip his high school years and send him to a junior college where everyone will be older than he is by at least 2 years? There’s a big difference in the emotional and social development between 16 and 18,19 and 20 year olds.

He just might get a whole boatload of money but that won’t buy back the lost years of his childhood. Like the commercial says, some things ARE priceless.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jun 15, 2009 12:28 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

His older brother is transferring to Southern Nevada to be there with him

He plays baseball, too, so he’ll have someone to look out for him during his year at college. Though I agree, the difference in maturity between a 17 year old and a 19 or 20 year old is pretty big.

That said, if the family feels like he’s ready, I won’t begrudge him.

If this kid played in the Dominican, for example, he would have been signed already, so is he being penalized in a way?

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jun 15, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe I heard his brother was drafted by somebody

you know what organization he plays for?

by Glacier on Jun 15, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't.

The article said he’s transferring from Cal State Northridge to play at the College of Southern Nevada to play baseball with his brother for a year.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jun 16, 2009 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lovely

He’ll skip the last two years of high school and go right into the pros. Anyone else ever hang out with a bunch of coddled, entitled budding pro athletes? I don’t care if his GPA is 3.5, he reads the bible, heck, I don’t care if he wrote the bible, his personal and social development will likely be absolutely stunted by missing out on his junior and senior year. All the money in the world won’t be able to buy him what he’ll need socially and emotionally down the road. Yes, the always the chance he turns out to be the second coming of The Most Interesting Man In The World, but the odds are against him. This is a horrible, enabling decision by his greedy parents.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Jun 16, 2009 7:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

greedy parents?

you dont even know the damn people… you are basing your argument on bullshit theory.

by Glacier on Jun 16, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right back at ya

He’s too young to make any kind of legal decision. His parents have ot sign off on all of this. Hence, riding the kiddie gravy train.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Jun 16, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what team is going to pay his parents?

i was under the impression that baseball teams pay the players, not the parents of the players

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Jun 16, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good luck to bryce

why would anyone care that someone they’ve never met and never will meet is going to miss their last 2 years of high school? he’s an adult (at least in Nevada with the age of majority of 16).

the pink hat guy is my father

by joeschmitt on Jun 16, 2009 1:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs