Nationals Assign No. 1 Overall 2010 Draft Choice OF Bryce Harper To Arizona Fall League
Published on October 13, 2010 under Arizona Fall League (AzFL) News Release
Phoenix, Arizona - The Washington Nationals have assigned 17-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper, the first overall selection in the 2010 amateur draft, to the Arizona Fall League.
Harper, who turns 18 on Saturday, is expected to report Sunday night. He should be in uniform for the Scottsdale Scorpions on Monday, October 18 for the Scorps' 12:35 p.m. road game against the Rafters at Surprise Stadium but he will not be eligible to play until Wednesday. The outfielder has been designated a taxi squad player, making him eligible to play only on Wednesdays and Saturdays. He also would be eligible to serve as a daily replacement for injured Scorpion outfielders.
Harper will become the second youngest player in the history of the Arizona Fall League. Only New York Mets' outfield prospect Fernando Martinez, who celebrated his 18th birthday on the Fall League's Opening Day in 2006, was younger. The next three youngest after Martinez and Harper, based on their respective Fall League Opening Day ages, are Seattle infielder Carlos Triunfel (18 years, 8 months), Chicago Cubs infielder Starlin Castro (19 years, 7 months), and Boston infielder Jose Iglesias (19 years, 9 months). Iglesias has returned to the Fall League in 2010 as a member of the defending champion Peoria Javelinas.
The 2010 Scottsdale Scorpions are comprised of prospects from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals. Harper joins fellow National prospects Mike Burgess (OF), Adam Carr (RHP), Cole Kimball (RHP), Steve Lombardozzi (IF), Derek Norris (C), Brad Peacock (RHP) and Sammy Solis (LHP) on the Scorpions.
Harper debuted in a Nationals uniform in September in the Florida Instructional League, hitting .319 (15-for-47) with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs, 12 runs batted in and 7 walks. Harper, who led Washington's Instructional League squad in homers, runs batted in and walks, posted a .407 on-base percentage and .702 slugging percentage en route to a stellar 1.110 OPS (OBP+SLG).
The Arizona Fall League began its 19th season yesterday. Play continues six days per week (Monday-Saturday) through the Saturday, November 20 championship game at Scottsdale Stadium.
Arizona Fall League Stories from October 13, 2010
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
