Washington Nationals' Select Bryce Harper No.1 Overall In MLB Draft.
by Patrick Reddington on Jun 7, 2010 8:28 PM EDT
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PrintThe graphics on the MLB Network's Draft Preview had the 17-year-old College of Southern Nevada catcher/outfielder listed as an "outfielder" before the Washington Nationals made him the no.1 pick in the Draft and announced that he would be an outfielder (most likely RF) for the Nats. Immediately following the Draft, DC GM Mike Rizzo, Assistant GM and VP of Player Personnel Roy Clark and Director of Scouting Kris Kline met with the DC baseball press to discuss their selection, here are the full transcripts of what the three Nats' executives had to say about the Nationals' selection in their opening statments:
Mike Rizzo: "The Nationals are very, very pleased to announce the first pick on the 2010 Draft is outfielder Bryce Harper from the College of Southern Nevada. We've scouted Bryce very, very thoroughly throughout the last couple of years, these two guys on the sides of me here were instrumental in putting the board together and we're very proud and pleased that this particular player is going to become a part of the Washington Nationals' family."
Roy Clark: "Like Mike said, we've been scouting him extensively, we think he's got a chance to be a special type player on the field and special person off the field. We are delighted to have selected him with the first pick in the 2010 Draft, but from this point forward, we would like to pick 30th every year and not [number] one."
Kris Kline: "I got to see Bryce play probably 20 games total including the fall, probably about 80 at bats, so we have a real high comfort level with what type of player he is, what type of player we think he's going to be. I think we feel that this is the only bat in this Draft that has the potential to be a three-hole hitter, and of course you know, hitting from the left side only adds to the value, so, he's a very special player, brings a lot to the table, and I think you guys are really going to enjoy seeing this kid playing in a couple of years."
• More From The Press Conference To Follow....
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Him and Strasburg are going to help people completley forget about the last two seasons.
Was there ever a better time to get consecutive #1 picks?
The Shanahan era is going to bring the Redskins back to Glory! Great QB and an actual O-line.
I wouldnt get that excited..
he probably won’t be in a Nats uniform til 2013..when hes about 20 like Hayward of the Braves
Id say 2012.
As far along as he is right now, there is no way the Nats don’t give him a shot in the majors until he’s 20
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Only time a team has gotten two-straight no.1 overall picks in baseball history...
Have to hit both out of the park…
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jun 7, 2010 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Seeing as how teh Nats are struggling to replace Pudge...
…why not develop him as a catcher? I know, I know, “let’s get his bat to the bigs faster,” but it’s not as if the Nats are stacked with catching prospects. Pudge isn’t good for many more years; not holding my breath for Flores to come back; Nieves, well…
by ghostofwadelefler on Jun 7, 2010 9:30 PM EDT reply actions
There's Derek Norris
Hope that he’ll get back on track after the plunking…
Rob
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
—Connie Mack
Power hasn't been there yet.
But the eye is still good. .226BA/.258SLG/.455OBP in his last 10. He’s got more walks than Ks in 68 at bats for the season. I think he could hit in the Eastern League today. When I was reading Natsfarm.com last year, commenters would always talk about how all his errors were what kept him in the South Atlantic League last year. I think his bat is very advanced, and I am interested to hear more eyewitness reports.
Let me put it this way: I can’t drive, but I’d be interested in us trying to figure out some way to pull off a P-Nats meetup just to see Norris alone. I am seriously in the Norris camp.
Souldrummer stands alone for Miguel Batista. Many want to see Capps save games. Dream big! MOAR RUNZ!!! MOAR BATISTA!!!!
.265/.353./.432 in 86 PAs this season
Pretty good, not outstanding. I do like the walks.
Rob
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
—Connie Mack
I think he's lost some pop recovering from injuries temporarily...
…plus I wonder whether people are going to pitch to him but so much in the Carolina League. He certainly needs a year at this level, but I’m not very worried about him offensively yet. I just don’t know what his defense is like and I’d really like to see him in person some and get some more eyewitness accounts about what he’s up to.
Souldrummer stands alone for Miguel Batista. Many want to see Capps save games. Dream big! MOAR RUNZ!!! MOAR BATISTA!!!!
Everybody forgets about Norris with this.
I was talking to Quinn today at the meetup thing and Norris is my guy. That man can flat out rake. He’s drawing a lot of walks in the Carolina League right now, and this is as he’s recovering from a hamate bone injury and a beaning that had him out for awhile. His defense needs work as well.
This organization has seen Norris’ bat (which could play in AA TODAY!) held up by defensive development. This organization has seen Flores crumble like a house of cards due to an injury sustained while playing catcher. If the bat plays that well, the investment Harper’s bonus requires will demand that he be put in RF sooner rather than later and allowed to focus on that position. We put our eggs in the Norris basket for catcher, and let Harper’s superior bat get to the bigs ASAP.
Souldrummer stands alone for Miguel Batista. Many want to see Capps save games. Dream big! MOAR RUNZ!!! MOAR BATISTA!!!!
Could not agree more. There's going to be a gap in there somewhere.
Pudge only has 1-2 years left, and it will likely take 2-3 years to develop Harper.
Nieves is decent defensively, but IMO, he calls a terrible game. And that is a severe issue. Rarely will you see him call for a pitch up and in to jam guys. Just don’t think he mixes it up enough.
So maybe we could sign another veteran catcher to a one-year deal for the short term after Pudge leaves, have him show Harper the ropes, and then he comes in to catch the following year.
If he goes into the outfield, Nats will have a big void to fill at catcher. And then we worry about cap room, etc..
Gang Green Nation
Here's what Rizzo said, I'm going to reprint this in a full Q&A transcript, but since you asked:
Mike Rizzo: "I think we made the early decision that we’re going to take the rigors and the pressure of learning the difficult position of catcher away from him and really let him concentrate on the offensive part of the game and let his athleticism take over as an outfielder. He’s got above average speed and a plus plus throwing arm. We believe that he could pull off being a major league catcher. We think his bat is well ahead of his defense as a catcher, and with the rigors of the game of catching, the squatting, the beating that they take behind the plate, we just think that it will accelerate his development in the minor leagues and also extend his career as a major leaguer."
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Jun 7, 2010 9:38 PM EDT reply actions
It worked for Dave Parker.
Parker was a catcher and pitcher in high school, the Pirates moved him to RF and there he had a lot of speed and he could throw the ball from the OF. It seems like a good move for the Nats.
Also, congrats on getting Strasburg and Harper back to back. If only Sanchez and Taillon will work so well for the Pirates. Looking forward to seeing the debut tomorrow night against the Bucs.
by IAPiratesFan on Jun 7, 2010 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
That's a shame
Was hoping Tago might slip through, and he was ironically taken with the compensation pick the Rockies got for the Nats signing Jason Marquis.
Two more picks in the compensation round. I’d say Brandon Workman would head my wish list, but I’m probably jinxing it.
by bluelineswinger on Jun 7, 2010 10:30 PM EDT reply actions
Kudos to you.
You are far, far ahead of me on this one. For all I talk about wanting to see them draft better and more aggressively I don’t have a good handle on what they should be doing in rounds 2-10.
Souldrummer stands alone for Miguel Batista. Many want to see Capps save games. Dream big! MOAR RUNZ!!! MOAR BATISTA!!!!
Just a question...
But can you guys do something about that eye shadow? Please?
"People don't kill people. Burning oreo packages kill people."
Rizzo has said ixnay on the lackbay
or some other variant of mucked up pig latin. It was in the comments on another post.
Souldrummer stands alone for Miguel Batista. Many want to see Capps save games. Dream big! MOAR RUNZ!!! MOAR BATISTA!!!!
Click pic for larger
Congrats, NatsNation!
by EmilyB on Jun 8, 2010 1:32 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yes! Screw character, the only thing that matters are statstics!
Re: the whole OF thing, Boras had him pegged as the next Johnny Bench—the Nats took away one of his cards, and good hitting corner oufielders are easier to find. Sure developmental stuff too.
And on a side note, Jesus guys I’m sorry.
Strasburgeddon approaches, the savior is almost here.
I saw him on MLB tonight and Baseball Tonight.
He was fine by me. Said he’s willing to play any position. Talked about how he started playing with wood bats at a very young age. Talked about how having his brother on the JuCo team helped with his transition. Said he admires Mickey Mantle a lot.
Provided we have good player development people, I think that the kid will make progress in the system. So hard for me to see him living up to all the hype, but I will certainly enjoy watching him try. Should really invigorate interest in our minor league system and expose the strengths and weaknesses of teams and players in the low minors with greater scrutiny.
Souldrummer stands alone for Miguel Batista. Many want to see Capps save games. Dream big! MOAR RUNZ!!! MOAR BATISTA!!!!
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