USA Baseball Cary (aka The Bryce Harper Celebrity Tour 2009)

Kid Can Run!

I went out to watch Harper play on Wednesday and was struck by his speed. In his last AB he hit a a one-hop missile that almost killed the SS and the ball bounced into LF. Harper never stopped running and slid into second just ahead of a good throw.

When Baseball America first profiled Harper as a freshman all the scouts drooled over his tools except for one. They said he had below average speed. It appears that is no longer the case.

 

3-7 with a 2b

still a good two games but from what it seems mr harper isnt having the stellar success he is used to. how are the NC kids doing. Diaz is a flat out stud at SS and woodall is a strong player as well.

 

Woodall is Harper's "back-up" with the Legion team which is 0-2. Woodall went 0-2 in his only action so far yesterday afternoon.

Diaz is on the PONY team (also 0-2) and is 2-8 through the two games.

 

Woodall was uncharacteristically in the final game shaky...several passed balls...his pitcher didn't help.

 

Great Experience with the Tournament of Stars!!

My wife and I hosted two of the players for the week and we had a ball. My son is playing in the SCBL summer league and has been with a host family since June 1st and will be with them until the end of July. We thought one week was the least we could do as a form of pay back. And... we have two empty rooms.

We hosted two players for the RBI team, which had a lot of inner city kids that participate in the MLB sponsored development program in Compton CA. These kids may not have the same opportunities that most of the other kids that were there that have personal trainers, etc. to help them get ahead. BUT... what an outstanding group of young men. Hard working, articulate, well mannered and VERY appreciative of the opportunities presented to them and for the families that made them a part of their lives for a week. And the team did have a mix of kids on the team that were not from an urban setting.

We hosted Fabian Roman, a pitcher from Jersey City, NJ. Fabian turns 17 this week and has already graduated HS. He was a 36th round pick of the Royals and is weighing his option of going to school or signing. He experienced some arm trouble and only pitched two innings for the week.

We also hosted Shane Rowland, a catcher from Tampa, FL. Shane is a little on the small size for the position, as I thought he was a middle infielder. VERY knowledgeable young man who calls a great game and is extremely quick with a strong arm and surprising pop with the bat. He is being recruited by most of the SEC schools. It doesn't hurt that his dad is a cross-checker for the Yankees either. He knows exactly what he has to do to make it the next level and the one after that.

We had one player from our team make it to the next round of try outs, Cody Buckel from Simi Valley, CA. I expect to see his name in next years draft or signing with one of the big CA schools. He is a rising senior. He is a rh pitcher throwing in the 92-93 range with nice "soft" stuff hitting that more than 10 mph speed difference. He can also play any of the infield positions (which he did).

I saw a lot of talented kids. Only a couple really stood out to me, like Manny Machado of Miami FL. SS with size (6'3"), speed and a good bat. Very fluid at the position. Of course Byrce Harper. I am not going to remember the names but I have never been to a "showcase" where all the kids throw so hard at 16-17 years old. I think you can see the same type of fielding talent right here in NC, but you will never see a collection of arms at the same event here as you see on the national scale. Wow! Here is a link to the young men selected:

http://web.usabaseball.com/document...18U_National_Team_Trials_Invitees_Release.pdf

Chris Diaz (Apex HS, NC State) did very well. His game against us was a clinic on how to play SS. I think his bat kept him from being selected.

One last thing --- WOOD BATS! YES! Faster game and no cheap doubles and triples. That's another thread. Sorry to be so long winded here.