Could the Nationals draft two Harpers?
Bryce Harper will face a unique challenge once he begins his professional career. At once, he'll be the youngest player on his first minor league team and the one with the most attention. "He'll be in a situation where he's going to need someone with him," said Tim Chambers, Harper's coach at the College of Southern Nevada.
And Chambers has the perfect person: Harper's older brother, Bryan Harper. This year, Bryan transferred from Cal-State Northridge to CSN so he could play with Bryce and provide support. Chambers is hoping the Nationals can draft Bryan Harper in order to help Bryce's transition.
It wouldn't just be charity, either. Bryan Harper went 10-1 with a 2.18 ERA this year, striking out 88 in 57 2/3 innings while walking 25. He is 6-foot-6 and throws his fastball from 89 to 94 miles per hour, Chambers said, with a changeup and a curve ball. He also earned a 4.1 GPA his senior year at Las Vegas High School.
Chambers would not be surprised for Bryan to be taken in the third round and figures he won't last past the fifth. The Nationals, incredibly, have actually already drafted him once -- in 2008, they selected Bryan Harper in the 31st round.
So Bryan Harper, who just turned 21, would give the Nationals a prospect, and he would also help ensure a comfortable transition for their first overall pick.
"Bryan gets it," Chambers said. "He understands what it's all about. He's kind of been overshadowed, but he loves his brother. It doesn't bother him."
By
Adam Kilgore
|
June 7, 2010; 4:52 PM ET
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Bryce Harper
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Posted by: hansenjo | June 7, 2010 5:02 PM | Report abuse
"The Nationals, incredibly, have actually already drafted him once -- in 2008, they selected Bryan Harper in the 31st round."
This is why no one cares about the MLB draft.
Posted by: Colm1 | June 7, 2010 5:20 PM | Report abuse
Is Bryan Harper also a Boras client?
Posted by: nunof1 | June 7, 2010 5:31 PM | Report abuse
Don't they have a sister? Draft her too, bet she's better than Mock.
Posted by: chillsonic | June 7, 2010 5:36 PM | Report abuse
I wonder if you get a reduced rate if you get two?
Posted by: lowcountry | June 7, 2010 6:20 PM | Report abuse
The next "Trevor Holder" ... hopefully everyone has gotten past that now ... ;)
Posted by: periculum | June 7, 2010 7:59 PM | Report abuse
The next "Trevor Holder" ... hopefully everyone has gotten past that now ... ;)
Posted by: periculum | June 7, 2010 8:01 PM | Report abuse
It sounds great to draft the brother, but I can't get a bad memory out of my mind. Remember how the careers of Matt Turk, a former punter for the Skins, and his brother Dan Turk, who was an offensive lineman for the Skins imploded simultaneously? Dan Turk represented Matt Turk in contract negotiations, and Matt Turk held out for more money. Then, Dan Turk became the goat in a critical game and was immediately cut. Matt Turk's career ended shortly thereafter. Hopefully, the careers of the Harper brothers won't get tangled in a bad way.
Posted by: dannykurland1 | June 7, 2010 9:15 PM | Report abuse
Sorry, Danny, right now I'm trying to figure how you get a 4.1 GPA. Is that the new math?
Posted by: Scooter_ | June 7, 2010 9:38 PM | Report abuse
"Sorry, Danny, right now I'm trying to figure how you get a 4.1 GPA. Is that the new math?"
Posted by: Scooter_ | June 7, 2010 9:38 PM | Report abuse
_______________________________________
You may not like the answers you're gonna get. It is possible. I'll leave it at that.
Posted by: JDB1 | June 7, 2010 9:52 PM | Report abuse
JDB, thanks for confirming -- albeit somewhat cryptically -- that it's possible. A google provided the details: some schools weight AP or honors courses more heavily (e.g., 5 points for an A).
I don't have a problem with that; it seems like a defensible choice.
Posted by: Scooter_ | June 8, 2010 11:40 AM | Report abuse
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I could see this happening.