Morning Links: Huntington on Harper

[indybucfan]

Indy you gave a pretty good explanation I will leave it at that unless someone wants a more detailed one.

My point was that a ML contract shouldn't be a problem though. Harper is supposed to be the next "Labron". If that is the case he won't need those extra years in the minors. His 3 option years at the very most should be enough time to season him in the minors. If that isn't the case he isn't worth picking at #2.

The only problem with picking Harper in general is that he could possibly can become a FA in his early to mid twenties, way before he hits his prime so the Pirates are going to have to make a tough decision on whether to keep a very young superstar not even in his prime and pay him mega bucks or show him the door.

The thing I wasn't sure of was the years. I know in the past you could keep a hs and latin more years before they must go on the 40 man. Even if he is the next LeBron (who still hasn't proved he can hit a curve), I'd be reluctant to draft a high school player who would've been a junior in high school this year and give him a major league contract.

[Daskid]

The thing I wasn't sure of was the years. I know in the past you could keep a hs and latin more years before they must go on the 40 man. Even if he is the next LeBron (who still hasn't proved he can hit a curve), I'd be reluctant to draft a high school player who would've been a junior in high school this year and give him a major league contract.

I'm pretty sure that for Rule 5 Draft eligibility a player signed before their 19th birthday has to have been in the organization for 5 years. For players over 19 when signed it is just 4 years. I assume that's what you're talking about.

A player never "has to" go on the 40-man, but obviously they'd become Rule 5 eligible if they weren't placed there so it's pretty much mandatory for top prospects.

[Kipper]

Indy you gave a pretty good explanation I will leave it at that unless someone wants a more detailed one.

My point was that a ML contract shouldn't be a problem though. Harper is supposed to be the next "Labron". If that is the case he won't need those extra years in the minors. His 3 option years at the very most should be enough time to season him in the minors. If that isn't the case he isn't worth picking at #2.

[HIGH-LIGHT]The only problem with picking Harper in general is that he could possibly can become a FA in his early to mid twenties, way before he hits his prime so the Pirates are going to have to make a tough decision on whether to keep a very young superstar not even in his prime and pay him mega bucks or show him the door[/HIGH-LIGHT].

That was the big issue I am seeing as well. It's "that" control that is really supposed to be the thing that helps the small and mid market teams. MLB contracts enter in thanks to Scott Boras and it takes away that advantage for the small and mid market teams. A guy like Alvarez or any college player the MLB contract isn't as big of a deal, but HS guys they are tough.

Huntington has spoken quite a few times about the importance of years and control. He mentioned in regards to most of his trades etc... I personally believe that control is a big decision and choice maker for this FO.

[Kipper]

Thanks, Indy. You cleared it up for me. I wasn't thinking about spending the option at the beginning of every year.

Sorry for the bad info, Kip.

It's all good.

I tend to go crosseyed sometimes about this stuff (contracts, control and lengths) and generally just hang back on what others say

[PittFaninVa]

That was the big issue I am seeing as well. It's "that" control that is really supposed to be the thing that helps the small and mid market teams. MLB contracts enter in thanks to Scott Boras and it takes away that advantage for the small and mid market teams. A guy like Alvarez or any college player the MLB contract isn't as big of a deal, but HS guys they are tough.

Huntington has spoken quite a few times about the importance of years and control. He mentioned in regards to most of his trades etc... I personally believe that control is a big decision and choice maker for this FO.

He's the kind of kid IF he is as good as advertized you have to pick. The Pirates may lose him at an early stage but if they do he should bring back a bounty of talent.

On the flip side ....you never know he could be the guy the Pirates build their franchise around and decide to pay him.

[indybucfan]

He's the kind of kid IF he is as good as advertized you have to pick. The Pirates may lose him at an early stage but if they do he should bring back a bounty of talent.

On the flip side ....you never know he could be the guy the Pirates build their franchise around and decide to pay him.

We'll let his season play out before we start a big debate on whether he's draft worthy with the second pick. People tend to get in too big a rush. I'd rather let these things develop.

[jnn123]

Jon Morosi at Fox Sports said that he talked to a scout who told him that he thinks Harper will go #5 overall at best and that Ranaudo is the best player in the draft.

[Kipper]

Jon Morosi at Fox Sports said that he talked to a scout who told him that he thinks Harper will go #5 overall at best and that [HIGH-LIGHT]Ranaudo is the best player in the draft[/HIGH-LIGHT].

Benny's ego just got a big boost

#5 at best is the most consistent number being mentioned in baseball circles (meaning not Sports Illustrated and uneducated fans).

but it is early

[Kipper]

He's the kind of kid IF he is as good as advertized you have to pick. The Pirates may lose him at an early stage but if they do he should bring back a bounty of talent.

On the flip side ....you never know he could be the guy the Pirates build their franchise around and decide to pay him.

We'll let his season play out before we start a big debate on whether he's draft worthy with the second pick. People tend to get in too big a rush. I'd rather let these things develop.

I agree with both. A bat is a better gamble at that age with an MLB contract. I probably would be against a HS arm and MLB contract. IF Harper is as good as the hype, then he has some risk worthiness.... but I agree that we'll have to see how his season turns and such..

Personally, I think for Harper to match the hype he's going to have to absolutely tear up Juco like Strasburg tore up college last year and from some of the reports so far... it's not coming close to happening. Still a lot of ball left but I really just don't feel he'll match the hype... and that should make for some interesting contract negotiations with Boras or career choice for Harper.... If he doesn't get a lavish contract due to underperformance, does he stay back and try again next year?

[BigBen2112]

[HIGH-LIGHT]Benny's ego just got a big boost[/HIGH-LIGHT]

[HIGH-LIGHT]#5 at best is the most consistent number being mentioned in baseball circles [/HIGH-LIGHT](meaning not Sports Illustrated and uneducated fans).

but it is early

Dang I must be the most awesomest ever huh? Check THIS out...

My Board, right now before the season gets rolling, is:

1. Anthony Ranaudo
2. Yordy Cabrera
3. Zack Cox
4. James Taillon
[HIGH-LIGHT]5. Bryce Harper[/HIGH-LIGHT]
6. AJ Cole
7. Drew Pomerantz
8. Nick Castellanos
9. Deck McGuire
10. Christian Colon

I put this out last week or the week before...man I am awesome.

(Sarcasm at both the awesome parts).

[jnn123]

A couple updates from a few writers. First, Keith Law says that it's ridiculous to say Harper isn't a top 5 player in the draft, and that the Nationals are going forward right now with the assumption that Harper is the best player, and are considering other players "back up plans".

Kevin Goldstein from Baseball Prospectus said that Harper is the most overrated player in the draft, but at the same time is the best player in the draft. Basically the hype pushed him to the point of being considered a sure thing lock #1 pick, and he hasn't separated himself to that level yet, but he's still the best talent out there.

[Kipper]

A couple updates from a few writers. First, Keith Law says that it's ridiculous to say Harper isn't a top 5 player in the draft, and that the Nationals are going forward right now with the assumption that Harper is the best player, and are considering other players "back up plans".

Kevin Goldstein from Baseball Prospectus said that Harper is the most overrated player in the draft, but at the same time is the best player in the draft. Basically the hype pushed him to the point of being considered a sure thing lock #1 pick, and he hasn't separated himself to that level yet, but he's still the best talent out there.

So in a nutshell.... Law says Harper is #1 cause Law always buys into hype anyways...

Goldstein is basically saying that this is a pretty ****ty draft. That's what I took from that. If the guy you say is the #1 is also completely overrated and not really at that level sounds like you're talking more about the other talent without throwing them under a bus

[indybucfan]

So in a nutshell.... Law says Harper is #1 cause Law always buys into hype anyways...

Goldstein is basically saying that this is a pretty ****ty draft. That's what I took from that. If the guy you say is the #1 is also completely overrated and not really at that level sounds like you're talking more about the other talent without throwing them under a bus

Keith Law is more hype than anything. Give me the opinions of the guys that watch these guys daily before a guy who has become another ESPN celebrity and watches them once in a while.

[Kipper]

Keith Law is more hype than anything. Give me the opinions of the guys that watch these guys daily before a guy who has become another ESPN celebrity and watches them once in a while.

If you're saying that ESPN hires moron's that don't know their *** from their head.... then I fully agree