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I know its only one game but after yesterday if I were Harper's advisors I would re-think entering the draft next year.

Yesterday he singled. to right, walked twice and struck out twice. He didn't just K, they blew it by him. He threw the ball around way to much and at ill advised times. I don't know if he was trying to show his arm (which is very good and he did gun down one kid). I could here scouts taking about him throwing to much, once into center field. I also heard a scout say he didn't know how to slide when he went into home. In fairness to the kid I didn't see anything wrong with his slide but I am not a scout. I'm sure he will have a better day today.

There is tremendous pressure on this kid, much of it self imposed (he, family or advisor?). If he is going to JUCO to play against better competition I can see that but if its to enter MLB draft that could be a mistake.

For all you Northeast parents and coaches, this is what your kids and players are up against if they want to advance in baseball. The player breakdown from TOS roster.

North 17, including 2 from New England,PA 6, NJ 6, NY 2 and Del 1.

South (includes Texas) 57
Midwest 13
West 59

California has 44 players, Florida 21 and Texas 12

The pitchers I saw yesterday threw gas and add to that playing with wood bats, it was a different game to watch. As old school baseball person I liked it but my wife (purely a support her son and team spectator) her comment that was boring - no metal bat bombs every other at bat.

LETS BRING BACK WOOD BATS TO HS AND COLLEGE
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While he'll have up's and downs...

...there are ovbiously many parts to his moving to the next level...Early Statistics and current/early performance are only one...

Outside of golf and tennis that are largely performance based on specific player results and rankings...The major sports are decision maker or subjectively based, and that means that some has to choose you, that means that someone has to like you, (popularity contest) and that may not always be based upon performance, or at least as much as we might think....or want.

As we all know physical tools play a huge role. Harper is big, strong, fast and has an arm..and he's only going to get bigger stronger and faster. The decision makers know that. What he has in this respect they already know and want, regardless of current performance. Stats or performance will not affect this much.

Like it or not...and perhaps most importantly...reputation plays a huge, huge role. Bigger than current stats. College recruiters want to know who else you are being recuited by. Once you have been drafted once even in low rounds you are forever marked as one of the chosen. Why? First, bandwagon. People do not want to get left behind. Second they trust the opinions of other "experts" in their field and feel more comfortable in a crowd. With the hype he has gotten to date Harper now one of the chosen ones that will not change muhc with stats or even performance for a long while.

And, there is an acclimation period to the game to the ptessure. The decison makers understand this. Some players fail to impress in the minors for years and years if they are chosen they still are looked upon favorably and still often move up. The investement in $ that was made counts as well.

He'll be just fine, long term in the eyes that count...those of the decision makers.

Cool
I want to make sure my comments are taken in the right manner. I am not bashing the kid, he obviously has some great tools. And yes, as I noted, one game, one tournament etc means nothing.

Its the hype surrounding Harper that would concern me if I were his parents. He walked into TOS registration at about 6 pm and and was greeted by autograph seekers. Media on him constantly and every AB, throw, baserunning play is under the microsope. There is a comment on his every play especially when his play doesn't meet expectations (unfair to him).

Ok he wants better competition than in HS and is going to JUCO for that, I can understand his game plan but if he is doing this to go into the draft next year he may not be ready based on what I have seen in two games (and yes its only two games).

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