Strasburg-mania is old hat. I'm on to worshipping a 16 year-old:
Bryce Harper is bigger than the NBA Finals this week. He's bigger than the Stanley Cup.
The image of the Las Vegas High School sensation with the desert mountains of Nevada serving as his playground graces the June 8 cover of Sports Illustrated on newsstands today in a tribute fitting of the nation's newest and youngest baseball star.
In large bold black letters, the magazine proclaims Harper as "Baseball's Chosen One." The cover features his biggest numbers: 570-foot home runs, 96 mph fastballs and his age, 16. He is hailed on the cover as the most exciting prodigy since LeBron James and his central placement on the magazine is fit for a king. In the top right corner of the cover, there's a small mention of the NBA Finals. In top left corner, the tease to the Stanley Cup Finals floats as if it has just been hit by Harper's left-handed swing.
The kicker: Harper's parents are looking for ways to make him eligible for the 2010 draft instead of 2011. Oh, and that one of the teenager's advisers is Scott Boras.
In other words, get ready for the runup to next year's draft to be crazier than this year's. I'm talking long lost birth certificates, psychological testing and lawsuits. Should be an utter blast if you're anyone other than a 16 year-old kid named Bryce Harper.
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Harper doesn't seem to be bothered by much, but this will be quite the ordeal.
How many people have been called "The Chosen One" over the years?
Wasn't Robert Stock of California nearly hyped as much as Harper just a few years ago? He graduated high school early so he could attend USC earlier and get drafted that much earlier, now he's not even a catcher anymore (might get drafted as a pitcher though). I'm sure Tom Verducci knows the track record of first round high school catchers but check it out on BR.com
Just watched a YouTube video of him swinging. He's got an interesting hitch in his swing, where he turns his knee in. It probably allows his hips to really coil up and then explode through the pitch. I wonder if that will cause problems in the future when he's facing better pitching.
why don't you tell us Mr. know it all
As much as I'd like to blame Boras for everything...what is wrong with those parents?? Must really be anxious for that BIG paycheck...let's not worry about the emotional and physical impact on the kid!! That's why they have PARENTS!! oops, I guess not !
maybe next time they will get your opinion
Hey Hot Rod, for someone who attacks everyone else for having an opinion you certainly are free with yours.
His opinion is that people with little insight on a subject should hold their tongues before making judgments. It's sad that he even needs to express such a sentiment.
yall are all retarded, why not start in the MLB at this age, it could only make him better. you're just mad you dont have a kid who can do that (to the guy calling his parents bad parents)
and who is this guy talking about his swing?? the kid hits 570 ft homeruns, i dont think there is anything wrong with his swing.. here's your sign ;)