Following in Bryce Harper's footsteps

At first glance it looks like classic monkey see monkey do, but after reading it I don't feel that way. It sounds like the parents tried everything in their power to work things out. I only wonder if Dr. Wuppermann did everything in his power to prevent this kid from having to participate? A doctors order to not lift would have to be respected at the school. I wish the kid luck.

Actually Robert Stock left HS for USC after his Junior year so the phenomenon is not new. For the very few elite it may make sense, for the rest of the mortals play on.

IMHO the athletic director at Mineola High School in east Texas is a retard. I hope the local community is aware if it and start sending there baseball kids to another school.

Jake Thompson left to go to Long Beach State early as well:

Jake Thompson

The clever thing that Bryce's family did was to have him enroll in a JC.

This means he is eligible for the draft for 4 years. Doesn't like the Nationals offer next year? Back to the juco for another year. Doesn't like his offer the following year? Off to a 4 year school as a Junior where the pattern repeats.

For someone who is a seemingly automatic prospect like Bryce, this is a very smart way to play it as opposed to enrolling at UNLV and being stuck for 3 more years - and having little or no leverage after the first year of the draft.

As for this Texas player, I completely understand where his parents are coming from. Weights are great - but they need to be the right exercises for the player and his position. Sounded like they had tried to get things change and as a last resort went this way.

quote:

Originally posted by 08Dad:
The clever thing that Bryce's family did was to have him enroll in a JC.

The Texas player has also enrolled at a JC.

Interesting topic. I think that more HS players hurt themselves in the gym than on the field, and pitchers upper body is specific for his position, and many parents (and players) don't realize this, without the instruction of proper trainers. But I can't see any HS administration not abiding by a players wishes, so not so sure that may have been the real reason, in the end, just an earlier opportunity to be drafed.

Harper's parents made the decision to do what they did, because in reality, he probably wouldn't get pitched to anyway, it could have been a wasted year on the field for him, but IMO he will need to secure a scholarship at a 4 year school for leverage.

From what I have heard, Stock enrolled in college early, he needed some time to grow up and work at catching.