Jim Riggleman: Nationals Will Not Bring Bryce Harper to Majors in 2011

Filed under: Nationals, Spring Training

This is two seasons running now that the previous year's first overall pick in the June draft is dressing out in a Washington Nationals uniform.

Last February, it was right-handed starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, whose journey from San Diego State to the U.S. national team to the Nationals rotation was conducted at the speed of a Daytona 500 lap.

This time around, it's Bryce Harper who will be in the eye of the storm. Signed at 17, he's just 18 now and was judged to be the best pure hitter in the 2010 draft.

And when the Nationals' full roster reports on Feb. 20, Harper will be as highly scrutinized as highly touted free-agent addition Jayson Werth. The difference is that Werth is on hand to be in the middle of the Washington batting order.

Harper? Not so much. At least not yet.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/16/jim-riggleman-nationals-will-not-bring-bryce-harper-to-majors-i/

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