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I had to take a step back before writing about this one.
I don't see a problem with it since the bonus money he gets will put him in a position to go back to school if his baseball career doesn't work out. According to his father, he is getting a GED so the High School problem seems to be resolved.
IF... he is going to be selected in the top 10 of the first round ... why not... Whether he pans out or not sounds like he will have plenty of money to do whatever he choses.
Just my opinion on the issue.
I don't see a problem with it since the bonus money he gets will put him in a position to go back to school if his baseball career doesn't work out. According to his father, he is getting a GED so the High School problem seems to be resolved.
IF... he is going to be selected in the top 10 of the first round ... why not... Whether he pans out or not sounds like he will have plenty of money to do whatever he choses.
Just my opinion on the issue.
I agree with Maverick, there is no degree program in college where you can get a signing bonus big enough to secure your future and never have to "work" a day all your life.
OKAY.... Maybe I am stating the obvious and this has been discussed, bonafied and verified. But let's face it, baseball history is landmined with players who have lied about being younger, lied about being older, and just plain misrepresented their age for their own benefit. Good grief, there are even movies about it..... I cannot find anything on the NET about if anyone ever questioned whether this kid truly turns "17" on 10-16-2009?
Am I just way off? And, as a parent my son's mental maturity and development is as important to me as his physical maturity. Just my .02 worth.
GED10DaD
Am I just way off? And, as a parent my son's mental maturity and development is as important to me as his physical maturity. Just my .02 worth.
GED10DaD
take the $
Lot's of Latin players taking the common man's money at a much younger age.
Money changes everything......good and bad.
Money changes everything......good and bad.
this is a no brainer.
Take the money. This opportunity doesn't come around very often. If it were my son, I'd be right there with him every step of the way while he made the adjustment.
The kids got one in a billion talent.
It would be like turning down the lottery.
Anyway, his hype will eventually run its course. It makes financial sense to capitalize ASAP.
It would be like turning down the lottery.
Anyway, his hype will eventually run its course. It makes financial sense to capitalize ASAP.
Reminds me of Josh Hamilton... and we know how that turned out. "Taking the money" when you're not old enough to handle it can be a minefield.
Wow, this one is tough. I have always been a "take the money" kinda guy..... but......man, I'm thinking it might be best to finish high school. I know there is a chance for injury, but man, barley 17? This is a tough one for me.
GunemDown
we have played against Bryce several times since age 11 - we know people who have grown up with him and he is in fact 16!
this kid is the real deal - when comparing him to tohers, remember - did Scott Boras attend high school games of Josh Hamilton? this kid is better at a younger age than anyone since ARod and pujols!!
we have played against Bryce several times since age 11 - we know people who have grown up with him and he is in fact 16!
this kid is the real deal - when comparing him to tohers, remember - did Scott Boras attend high school games of Josh Hamilton? this kid is better at a younger age than anyone since ARod and pujols!!
I suppose it's hard to tell our kids to be patient, even with their dreams. The kid has seen 2 years of HS pitching? I guess I should dig a little deeper (I didn't read the SI story), but has he even seen a slider....probably not a good one? I suppose baseball concerns will be addressed in JUCO. As for sending your 17 yr old out the door to learn about life (maybe I'm overly dramatic too), it depends on the kid....and the circumstance. A lot to consider.
I think I would hold off one year until he graduates H/S.
What if he struggles in JC? What if they do not pitch to him? Is there any upside playing JC ball?I would look at it this way, what should he do to protect his draft status and pubilc perception of future greatness. The second he shows any weakness in JC ball the critics will come out in droves. If he dominates JC ball no one will care because he should dominate anyway.
Cash in after H/S, then deal with the struggles of baseball that will surely come his way (after he cashes in).
Just my two cents.
What if he struggles in JC? What if they do not pitch to him? Is there any upside playing JC ball?I would look at it this way, what should he do to protect his draft status and pubilc perception of future greatness. The second he shows any weakness in JC ball the critics will come out in droves. If he dominates JC ball no one will care because he should dominate anyway.
Cash in after H/S, then deal with the struggles of baseball that will surely come his way (after he cashes in).
Just my two cents.
We played against him in Atlanta last year, he is the real deal, take the money!
I am really surprised at some of these responses...for years 13 year old girls have been leaving their families and moving to Colorado Springs to train for the Olympics...for a MEDAL!
This kid has a shot to be a top ten pick...let's just say he only gets $1 mil (which is not even close) for easy figuring. At an average of 5% per year that little 'ole $1 mil is worth $11 mil when he retires at 65. Are you all kidding me. Don't take the money...That's ridiculous.
This kid has a shot to be a top ten pick...let's just say he only gets $1 mil (which is not even close) for easy figuring. At an average of 5% per year that little 'ole $1 mil is worth $11 mil when he retires at 65. Are you all kidding me. Don't take the money...That's ridiculous.
No doubt he's a special talent.quote:Originally posted by 58diamonddad:
GunemDown
we have played against Bryce several times since age 11 - we know people who have grown up with him and he is in fact 16...
GED10DaD
Cobra -- it seems like most of the responses agree with yours, "take the money". To be honest, I am surprised that there aren't more on the other side of the fence.
I would be the first to say that this kid will require some mental maturity and my response applies to only his VERY unique case...but he may only have one chance to sign his name and set himself up for life financially.
Take the cash...he can buy an education later if he needs one.
Take the cash...he can buy an education later if he needs one.
absolutelely he should take the money - certainly with Scott Boras hanging around, they have figured out how to buy a disability policy
he is a one-in-a-generation talent
has played against the best talent in the nation and has played up in 18u divisions for at least the last year
he is extremely mature - certainyl he will face his challenges, but he has a very good chance to be the #1 pick next year
any team that does not take him will rue the day - he is rated as high as Griffey, Upton, Rodriguez, Hamilton and Pujols - and this is as a sophomore!
he was outplaying high school stars when he was in sixth grade
perfect game has an article written about his experience at a high school showcase as a 6th grader - great reading
he is a one-in-a-generation talent
has played against the best talent in the nation and has played up in 18u divisions for at least the last year
he is extremely mature - certainyl he will face his challenges, but he has a very good chance to be the #1 pick next year
any team that does not take him will rue the day - he is rated as high as Griffey, Upton, Rodriguez, Hamilton and Pujols - and this is as a sophomore!
he was outplaying high school stars when he was in sixth grade
perfect game has an article written about his experience at a high school showcase as a 6th grader - great reading
I've known lots of kids his age who are sorely lacking in the maturity department, but I've also known a few who are heads and tails above the rest with regard to level-headedness, adult-like thinking, focus, and ambition. Let's hope Bryce Harper is part of the latter group.
He hasn't had a hit in college, yet...............
Or, met any of the initial or remedial college conditioning requirements.
For someone whose success comes so easily, the two requirements above can prove challenging.
The baggage he's gathering can be heavy at 5:30 AM on the three mile trot............................
I'll bet he has to comply even if he holds up his PG rating card.
Or, met any of the initial or remedial college conditioning requirements.
For someone whose success comes so easily, the two requirements above can prove challenging.
The baggage he's gathering can be heavy at 5:30 AM on the three mile trot............................
I'll bet he has to comply even if he holds up his PG rating card.
Back when I was about to get drafted out of HS 
. OK, not at all, but in all seriousness, I remember hearing that if you get drafted out of HS and sign, the MLB pays yours college tuition for four as long as you enroll in a certain time period after retiring/last game played. Is this completely false (seems like it'd be a good deal then) ? I can't remember who I heard it from (I was so young then 
) but if this was the case...
. OK, not at all, but in all seriousness, I remember hearing that if you get drafted out of HS and sign, the MLB pays yours college tuition for four as long as you enroll in a certain time period after retiring/last game played. Is this completely false (seems like it'd be a good deal then) ? I can't remember who I heard it from (I was so young then ) but if this was the case...
This is true. MLB scholarship program will pay all or a portion of tuition, depending on how it was negotiated at signing. Need to enroll within 2 years of your retirement from pro ball.
Just a thought. Remember back at age 10-12, there were always a few kids who were bigger, faster, and stronger than all the other kids. Eventually, with the exception of the rare few, most of those kids were caught up to by all the others, and eventually just became average. I personally saw this kid play a couple of years ago and, even then, he was for real. If a major league team is willing to pay you an unreal amount of money to play, I say take it before you become "just average". He may become the greatest player that ever lived. BUT, if not, he'd certainly be one of the wealthiest "average Joe's" in the league. Just MHO.
Just a thought. Remember back at age 10-12, there were always a few kids who were bigger, faster, and stronger than all the other kids. Eventually, with the exception of the rare few, most of those kids were caught up to by all the others, and eventually just became average. I personally saw this kid play a couple of years ago and, even then, he was for real. If a major league team is willing to pay you an unreal amount of money to play, I say take it before you become "just average". He may become the greatest player that ever lived. BUT, if not, he'd certainly be one of the wealthiest "average Joe's" in the league. Just MHO.
quote:Just a thought. Remember back at age 10-12, there were always a few kids who were bigger, faster, and stronger than all the other kids. Eventually, with the exception of the rare few, most of those kids were caught up to by all the others, and eventually just became average. I personally saw this kid play a couple of years ago and, even then, he was for real. If a major league team is willing to pay you an unreal amount of money to play, I say take it before you become "just average". He may become the greatest player that ever lived. BUT, if not, he'd certainly be one of the wealthiest "average Joe's" in the league.
Good point.
A player who comes to mind is Robert Stock, who surely would have been drafted after high school in the first round if he hadn't signed with USC. Instead, he headed to college and his "stock" went down. This year, he was drafted as the 67th pick in the 2nd round, which will probably mean a difference of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, in signing bonus. (Last year's 8th pick signed for $2.6 million, whereas the 67th pick signed for $606,000.)
Found in a May 15 scouting report:
He (Stock) struggled at the plate most of the spring, and was hitting just .226-6-30 as the Trojans entered the final weekend of regular-season play. Though his arm strength, quick release and soft, sure hands were obvious skills behind the plate, he simply struggled to hit-and his obvious raw power just didn't show up often enough in games."
Sometimes, it makes more sense to go for the sure thing.
It seems people take it for granted that Robert would have been a sure first round pick had he stayed in high school. This is due to the fact that he became so well known at a young age.
Robert was an outstanding player in high school, we selected him to the Aflac All American West team, but he was far from a "sure" first rounder. He was not a good defensive catcher and improved a lot in that area at college. He had a strong arm but wasn't considered one of the top pitchers in his class. He did show some power and it's surprising that power wasn't more noticable in college. He was not a big projection type, physically.
Robert was good, but not necessarily first round good! I think most scouts thought college would be good for him. Plus they might sort out if he was going to be a pitcher, catcher or something else.
This is nothing against Robert as he is a great kid with a lot of talent. It's just that there are lots of kids like that. Personally I think he took the right path! Now I hope he ends up in the Big Leagues someday.
Robert was an outstanding player in high school, we selected him to the Aflac All American West team, but he was far from a "sure" first rounder. He was not a good defensive catcher and improved a lot in that area at college. He had a strong arm but wasn't considered one of the top pitchers in his class. He did show some power and it's surprising that power wasn't more noticable in college. He was not a big projection type, physically.
Robert was good, but not necessarily first round good! I think most scouts thought college would be good for him. Plus they might sort out if he was going to be a pitcher, catcher or something else.
This is nothing against Robert as he is a great kid with a lot of talent. It's just that there are lots of kids like that. Personally I think he took the right path! Now I hope he ends up in the Big Leagues someday.
PGStaff, you probably are right. I was basing my comments on what has been said in the media:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/...un07,0,1240776.story
http://www.latimes.com/sports/...un07,0,1240776.story
PGSTAFF -- we welcome your opinion on this subject. What about Harper? Is he #1 pick good?
He probably is #1 pick good. However, I'm not absolutely sure yet. He's really young! Freak of nature type ability, but there have been a few others (not so publicized) that had rare abilty at a young age. This is going to get very interesting over the next year. To me... The ability is there... it's the rest of the stuff that will determine his ceiling. He does have "sky is the limit" potential.
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
It seems people take it for granted that Robert would have been a sure first round pick had he stayed in high school. This is due to the fact that he became so well known at a young age.
Robert was an outstanding player in high school, we selected him to the Aflac All American West team, but he was far from a "sure" first rounder. He was not a good defensive catcher and improved a lot in that area at college. He had a strong arm but wasn't considered one of the top pitchers in his class. He did show some power and it's surprising that power wasn't more noticable in college. He was not a big projection type, physically.
Robert was good, but not necessarily first round good! I think most scouts thought college would be good for him. Plus they might sort out if he was going to be a pitcher, catcher or something else.
This is nothing against Robert as he is a great kid with a lot of talent. It's just that there are lots of kids like that. Personally I think he took the right path! Now I hope he ends up in the Big Leagues someday.
To add, going into the 2006 season your Perfect Game #1 HS Pitching Prospect was drafted in the 9th round the following year.
Ken,
Think I know what you’re referring to, but think you have your years mixed up.
Our number one ranked pitcher in 2006 was Rick Porcello, followed by Michael Main, Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson. In fact, Porcello was our number one ranked player. All four of them were drafted in the first round in 2007. At this point, guess one would have to say Porcello looks like the right choice as #1, though he was the last of the four to get picked. (He got the most money, though)
I think you must be talking about Jordan Walden and mean 2005 and the 2006 draft. We did have Walden #1 for a while in 2005, but we had Drabek as the top pitcher later. BTW, think you might agree, Walden was a definite first round type but he was picked in the 12th round. He had an injury that final spring season, velocity temporarily dropped and there were rumors of large money demands or he would have went much earlier. He went to a JC and signed before the 2007 draft for first round money (Million$). Looking back, Kershaw was the best HS pitcher in that 2006 draft. Of course, you coached both of them back then, so you know all of this.
Think I know what you’re referring to, but think you have your years mixed up.
Our number one ranked pitcher in 2006 was Rick Porcello, followed by Michael Main, Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson. In fact, Porcello was our number one ranked player. All four of them were drafted in the first round in 2007. At this point, guess one would have to say Porcello looks like the right choice as #1, though he was the last of the four to get picked. (He got the most money, though)
I think you must be talking about Jordan Walden and mean 2005 and the 2006 draft. We did have Walden #1 for a while in 2005, but we had Drabek as the top pitcher later. BTW, think you might agree, Walden was a definite first round type but he was picked in the 12th round. He had an injury that final spring season, velocity temporarily dropped and there were rumors of large money demands or he would have went much earlier. He went to a JC and signed before the 2007 draft for first round money (Million$). Looking back, Kershaw was the best HS pitcher in that 2006 draft. Of course, you coached both of them back then, so you know all of this.
quote:
I think you must be talking about Jordan Walden and mean 2005 and the 2006 draft.
Yeah, I said going into 2006.
And I stand corrected, it was the 12th round vs. the 9th.
PG, wasn't Walden the very last D & F?
Don't say I didn't tell you about Kershaw ahead of time.
See you in a couple of weeks.