Bryce Harper Says He’s Unlikely to Make Nationals OD Roster

This weekend, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported there was “strong speculation” that Washington Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper would start the 2012 season in the minor leagues.  Yesterday Heyman sat down with Harper, who himself admitted that he’s unlikely to begin the year with the Nationals.

From the start of spring training, Harper made it clear that it was his goal to break camp with the major league club.  The teenager certainly had supporters in his corner, most notably Nationals skipper Davey Johnson.  Washington’s manager campaigned for his young phenom throughout the offseason and as the spring approached.

Harper also received support from the Nationals front office, as general manager Mike Rizzo said he would remain open-minded when making a decision regarding the 19-year-old.  While there are acknowledged long-term monetary benefits to be had from starting Harper off in the minors this season, Rizzo said that he would see where the outfielder was developmentally.

It was shaping up to be a hard decision for Rizzo and the Nationals, as Harper got off to a great start this spring.  However, it now looks as if a recent calf injury has turned a difficult choice into an easy one.

It makes sense to start Harper out in the minors.  There is no clear position for him on the Nationals roster at this point, Washington can delay Harper’s free agency clock, and the teenager could likely benefit from some additional seasoning on the farm.

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