The Next Prodigy...

[Zach Paxton]

...being touted as the LeBron James of high school baseball is on the cover of the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated. Bryce Harper, a 16 yr old catcher who is 6'3'', 205 lbs who hails from Las Vegas, NV. He's one of the most naturally gifted baseball players I've ever seen(youtube of course) His fastball has been clocked at 96 mph. He has hit a homerun 570 ft!! 570!!! Barry Bonds doesn't hit it that far, steroids or not. He holds the record for the longest homerun in Tropicana Field history (Tampa Bay Rays stadium) at 502 ft., which he did this past January at a homerun derby. After watching this clip of this kid, I'm convinced Bryce Harper could be one of the best baseball players to ever lace up the spikes. If you know and appreciate complete fundamentals of baseball, watch this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liS3kGvQ9Bk


Look out for Bryce Harper in a couple years!!

[bakins]

[Zach Paxton]

Exactly!!!

[HeSaidWhat?]

Bryce Harper reminds me of a young Mickey Mantle.

[MemphisFan95]

the Washington Nationals are salavating

[Zach Paxton]

Unless the "NATINALS" pull one out from between their back pockets, the Indians have a good shot at him as well.

[HeSaidWhat?]

http://masnsports.com/2009/12/bryce-...-for-2010.html

He passed his GED so he can be in the 2010 Draft, hes headed to Washington

[penguinpoker]

He looks great, but he is already a player playing at an MLB level. If you put players like Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder against high school players their gonna crack the ball that far.

[HeSaidWhat?]

Hes similar to Griffey Jr and Arod at 17

[Zach Paxton]

I think Harper has a chance to be better than A-Fraud and Griffey. The main thing he needs to is to have confidence in his abilities and talents without buying into his own hype. I think that's what A-Fraud did and now look at how everyone views him. It doesn't matter how much money he is making or how many MVPs he has won; if you're not respected by your peers, even with his stats, you may not get to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

[playaflygb]

A Rod is a lock for HOF, hate the guy, but this last postseason makes his case even more solid

[Zach Paxton]

A Rod is a lock for HOF, hate the guy, but this last postseason makes his case even more solid

Probably not without that lil asterik.

[Zach Paxton]

Harper got drafted #1 overall by the Natinals yesterday. Baseball fans, keep an eye out fir this kid. He may not make it to the majors until about 3 yrs from now, but when he gets there, it could be something special.

[Killer_Squeed]

the writeup on the kid said they want to convert him to outfield for the Majors. the Nationals have picked up 2 key pieces in the past 2 drafts. they'll be interesting to watch in the coming years.

[deltaslim]

Really hope this kid keeps his head on. Most likly will. A-rod-please- call me old fashioned but a man that wears make up and goes for the "metro" look, kisses himself in the mirror ...................................................................................................... .................................................. .................................................. ..................................

[deltaslim]

oh , more or less I'm ok with gay. But for a guy thats not and does that stuff............................................. ........................

[Zach Paxton]

Really hope this kid keeps his head on. Most likly will. A-rod-please- call me old fashioned but a man that wears make up and goes for the "metro" look, kisses himself in the mirror ...................................................................................................... .................................................. .................................................. ..................................

I think the only makeup Harper will continue to wear is that eye black that makes him look like the Ultimate Warrior. It'll be interesting to see if they move him out from behind the plate to a corner outfield position. It makes more sense for his career long term, but the simple fact to have a catcher hit the way he does is just too tough to not ignore. Catchers aren't supposed to hit that way.

[deltaslim]

I think the only makeup Harper will continue to wear is that eye black that makes him look like the Ultimate Warrior. It'll be interesting to see if they move him out from behind the plate to a corner outfield position. It makes more sense for his career long term, but the simple fact to have a catcher hit the way he does is just too tough to not ignore. Catchers aren't supposed to hit that way.

i read today that they are going to move him and that he's cool with that.

[Zach Paxton]

i read today that they are going to move him and that he's cool with that.

Longevity-wise, it makes sense.

[Dave23]

He better get his head right...

[Zach Paxton]

He better get his head right...

I'm hoping he does and I think he will. He has a slight arrogance about him that I like. He knows how good he already is, but at the same time he knows he needs to get better.

[mirgarr]

Bryce Harper? he earns abut 9 Million /year now. Is he injured now?