Bryce Harper gets the call

Photo: Perfect Game

Bryce Harper, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2010 draft, was called up to the big leagues today by the Washington Nationals.  He will take the place of team leader and seasoned veteran Ryan Zimmerman on the Nationals' active roster, who in a corresponding move was placed on the disabled list.

Harper, 19, was hitting .250 for the Syracuse Chiefs at the AAA level, recently hitting his first home run on the season last Sunday against the Buffalo Bisons.  He is expected to make his debut on Saturday as the Nationals play the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium.

Harper starred in the 2009 PG/Aflac All-American Classic, the summer after his sophomore year in high school making him the only player in the game's nine-year history not to be an incoming high school senior.  He signed for $6.25 million as the first overall pick after hitting .443 with 31 home runs and 98 RBI in one season at the College of Southern Nevada, a season played at the junior college level which would have been his junior year in high school.

In addition to the PG/Aflac All-American Classic, Harper had participated in 10 other Perfect Game showcase and tournament events during his amateur baseball career.

Perfect Game events attended:

    2005 SoCA Pre-High Showcase
    2008 WWBA 2008 Grads or 18u National Championship
    2008 WWBA 2009 Grads or 17u National Championship
    2008 2010 Grads National Showcase
    2008 PG Showcase at AFLAC All American Game
    2008 WWBA World Championship
    2009 WWBA 2009 Grads or 18u National Championship
    2009 WWBA 2010 Grads or 17u National Championship
    2009 WWBA 2011 Grads or 16u National Championship
    2009 Aflac All American Baseball Classic
    2009 PG National Championship (Upperclass)