Could Bryce Harper Be Better Than Stephen Strasburg?

Matt Hagen of The Hardball Times ranked his view of the Washington Nationals top 10 prospects. He also ranked the Nationals top 10 players under the age of 26, and surprisingly, he ranked Bryce Harper ahead of Stephen Strasburg:

Washington Nationals: Top 10 Players Under Age 26 (as of 4/1/11)

1. Bryce Harper / OF
2. Stephen Strasburg / SP
3. Danny Espinosa / 2B/SS
4. Derek Norris / C
5. Jordan Zimmermann / SP
6. Drew Storen / RP
7. Ross Detwiler / SP
8. Ian Desmond / SS
9. A.J. Cole / SP
10. Wilson Ramos / C

I think this is the first time I've seen in writing what I feel we've all been believing the past few months, Harper could be even better than Strasburg. That's a pretty crazy thought when you consider the hype and excitement that surrounded Strasburg, who absolutely dominated the Major Leagues when he arrived this summer. But Harper appears to be a special case who surpasses all lofty expectations thrown at him.

There were those who doubted he could handle playing in a wood bat league against college kids at the age of 17, but he shut them up by winning the Golden Spikes award for collegiate player of the year. Then, there were many who believed he couldn't handle the Arizona Fall League after facing no prior minor league pitching, and he posted a 1.039 OPS, helping his team win the AFL title. 

Strasburg may have received the larger contract out of the draft, but it could be Harper that becomes the biggest star on the Nationals roster in the future. 

(The included photograph of Bryce Harper was taken by the Nats Fan Girls at NatsFanGirls.com, be sure to check out their site)