Nationals Future Bright in MLB Odds with Harper

11th June, 2010 - Posted by admin - No Comments

The Washington Nationals already seem like a club which will progress versus the MLB probabilities.

Now that they have number one draft choice Bryce Harper, they look better still now. He might be impacting MLB lines within a couple of years, and he’s almost as hyped as Stephen Strasburg.

MLB probabilities still don’t favor the Nationals much but that is starting to shift. Strasburg is a huge part of the Nationals future versus the MLB probabilities as he was the choice last year. Now Harper has been added to the mix by the Nationals. He’s considered among the best players to come out of high school in a long time. Almost everyone is forecasting big things for the Nationals number one choice, despite the fact that he’s just 17 years old. Since 1980 there have been 6 players who have been picked as an outfielder at 18 years or even younger. Harper adds his name to an outstanding list. The New York Mets took Darryl Strawberry in 1980 and Shawn Abner in 1984. The Seattle Mariners took Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987 and the Rays took Josh Hamilton in 1999 and Delmon Young in 2003.

The Nationals are already looking at Harper as a number 3 hitter with exceptional power and a formidable outfield arm. Harper hit .443 with 31 homers and 98 RBIs in his initial college season. The Nationals are shifting him the outfield where he can affect MLB probabilities, however he was behind the plate attending college. Harper played in the College of Southern Nevada which is a Junior College. He’s now the top draft choice ever out of a junior college.

The Pittsburgh Pirates had the 2nd choice in the draft, and they chose Texas high school right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon. He was considered the most impressive pitcher from the draft. The franchise hasn’t had a Cy Young Award-winner since Doug Drabek, yet another Texas native. They can only hope that they have the another one in Taillon, 18. The Baltimore Orioles took Florida high school shortstop Manny Machado as the 3rd choice in the draft. Machado has the opportunity to become the next great shortstop in Baltimore, and be the next among a lineage that includes Miguel Tejada and, of course, Cal Ripken Jr. Cal State Fullerton shortstop Christian Colon, who was the fourth choice by the Royals, might be the most Major League ready player who might affect MLB lines first. The Kansas City Royals intend for him and two previous first-round picks – high school 3rd baseman Mike Moustakas and high school first baseman Eric Hosmer – to all arrive about the same time and create the infield that will help turn the long-suffering franchise around. Cleveland was next and they took Mississippi left-hander Drew Pomeranz. With any luck Pomeranz’ experience with Cleveland will be better than Stephen Head’s.

The Nationals would like to have Harper on the lineup soon but it might not be that easy. His agent is supposed to be Scott Boras and that could mean difficulty if the Nationals don’t want to pay big money. Boras got Strasburg a 4-year, $15.1 million deal last year. Harper has stated he would like to play but he isn’t against returning to Southern Nevada if necessary.


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