OT: High school BASEBALL player leaving high school 2 years early

[Nacho]

This is OT since it is about baseball, but this kid is leaving high school 2 years early, taking a high school equivalency test, enrolling in a community college, and plans to enter the MLB draft in 2010 or 2011.

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=955764

Video of his 502 foot homerun at TB Tropicana Field.

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

[BradleyBrave]

Good for him, and best of luck to him. People in other sports have been doing this for years. Heck, most baseball players from countries (specifically Latin America) have been doing this for years. If he's good enough, go get 'em!

[Braves4Life]

It looks like the kid has all the tools, as well as a mature and athletic body. It will be interesting to see how he handles the switch to wooden bats............ They're not nearly as forgiving. Also, if he keeps getting pimped into these HR Derbys he is sure to ruin his swing.

[BradleyBrave]

It looks like the kid has all the tools, as well as a mature and athletic body. It will be interesting to see how he handles the switch to wooden bats............ They're not nearly as forgiving. Also, if he keeps getting pimped into these HR Derbys he is sure to ruin his swing.

Great point! We may be seeing him with all the meatheads on Softball 360 doing pre-game home run exhibitions instead of playing in the bigs. Stick to the real thing Bryce, your game is impressive enough!

[Beninator]

Well given that Stephen Strasburg is expected to sign a deal from anywhere between $15-$20, I hope this kid doesnt screw up his swing.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-14-rogers-inside-baseball-jun14,0,2246961.story

[Braves4Life]

Well given that Stephen Strasburg is expected to sign a deal from anywhere between $15-$20, I hope this kid doesnt screw up his swing.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,2246961.story

When a great H-O-F hitter like Tony Gwynn says Strasburg is the real deal I believe him. I hope the hapless Nationals don't rush and ruin this kid............. Lord knows they've ruined everything else

[Fyrebyrd]

I researched the baseball kid today (Bryce Harper) and wow!. This kid is not only a five tool player but a six tool player. He has incredible power (as the video shows), incredible contact (batted almost .600 in his freshman of high school year), hes very fast (he was able to score from second 3 different times this past year on wild pitches and past balls), he is a good fielder (hes a catcher), and hes got one heck of an arm. And on top of all of this, he was their best pitcher when he pitched. He can throw a 96 mph fastball. He only pitched 4 of his teams 30 games in the past season (pitcher is his secondary position), and in those 4 starts he almost completed every game and had one earned run. This kid could be incredible. As a Cardinal fan, I hope we are AWFUL next year, I want this kid...lol

[Beninator]

I researched the baseball kid today (Bryce Harper) and wow!. This kid is not only a five tool player but a six tool player. He has incredible power (as the video shows), incredible contact (batted almost .600 in his freshman of high school year), hes very fast (he was able to score from second 3 different times this past year on wild pitches and past balls), he is a good fielder (hes a catcher), and hes got one heck of an arm. And on top of all of this, he was their best pitcher when he pitched. He can throw a 96 mph fastball. He only pitched 4 of his teams 30 games in the past season (pitcher is his secondary position), and in those 4 starts he almost completed every game and had one earned run. This kid could be incredible. As a Cardinal fan, I hope we are AWFUL next year, I want this kid...lol

Just got to watch the video... I wonder if Harper will be a catcher at the major league level? Not for a lack of talent, but if the kid is fast and is a five tool player, why subject the kid to the wear and tear of being a mlb catcher?

[patrick_o'brian]

Don't know if it has been mentioned but there was an article about him in the last SI. His HS teams win by about a 25 run average every game. I don't remember any more details that weren't already mentioned here, but one that stands out is they were playing at a park by the strip in Vegas where he is from and he hit a ball clear out of the ballpark into the desert. Well over the bomb that he hit at Tropicana. They call him "The Lebron James of Baseball"

[houstontxbrave]

I am just curious why he is leaving between his soph and junior seasons of HS? What is the point, cant he play one more season of HS then get the GED and then be able to declare for the draft after his junior season of HS?

I am certain the kid has great skill but from a baseball standpoint, I just dont see where it benefits him playing a season of JUCO, where he could get areas of his game exposed... even if it is JUCO it is still at a higher level then HS.

If he could enter the draft after his Junior year of HS by getting the GED rather then a year of JUCO, I would have kept him in HS, continued the "hype" then went to the draft. To much can happen in a JUCO, then what would occur in a HS. HS is generally a much more controled environment then is JUCO baseball.

I think he gets better PR and hype in HS then he gets at some JUCO.

[Beninator]

SI article about Bryce Harper is now online.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1156215/1/index.htm

[SFP]

I am just curious why he is leaving between his soph and junior seasons of HS? What is the point, cant he play one more season of HS then get the GED and then be able to declare for the draft after his junior season of HS?

I am certain the kid has great skill but from a baseball standpoint, I just dont see where it benefits him playing a season of JUCO, where he could get areas of his game exposed... even if it is JUCO it is still at a higher level then HS.

If he could enter the draft after his Junior year of HS by getting the GED rather then a year of JUCO, I would have kept him in HS, continued the "hype" then went to the draft. To much can happen in a JUCO, then what would occur in a HS. HS is generally a much more controled environment then is JUCO baseball.

I think he gets better PR and hype in HS then he gets at some JUCO.

I understand your logic but just maybe this guy is the real deal and wants to compete at the highest level he can. I bet you if he does well at the JUCO level next year he'll be able to venture into winter ball somewhere prior to his draft and if his armor is not scratched or dented and he can really backup his hype could you imagine his signing bonus. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Risk and reward!