| 07 June 2010
With the first overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, the Washington Nationals have selected Bryce Harper. Long suspected to be the first pick, Commissioner Bud Selig announced Harper as the "outfielder from the College of Southern Nevada".
This distinction is very telling - Selig's statement implies what many have long anticipated, namely that Harper will be a professional outfielder in order to expedite his ascent to the major leagues. This positional move is just the most recent in a rash of moves made by Harper and his family to get him to the majors as quickly as possible. Harper, 17, earned his GED and left high school early to enroll at CSN and make himself eligible for the draft while still legally a minor.
Harper started all 62 of his team's games this year, hitting .442/.524/.986 with 29 home runs, 86 runs batted in, and 55 total extra base hits. He also stole 18 bases in 22 attempts. With his startling power, arm, and athleticism, the Nationals hope that Harper can soon contribute at the major league level. Combined with top prospect and last year's first overall pick Stephen Strasburg's debut tomorrow, excitement is at an all time high in the nation's capital.
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