Nationals Super Prospect Bryce Harper Called Up to Double-A

The slow and steady rise of Bryce Harper is gaining speed.

The highly-touted number one overall pick of the Washington Nationals in last year’s draft was called up to Double-A Monday where he made an immediate splash by going 2-for-3 for the Harrisburg Senators.

Harper had been dominating at Class-A Hagerstown, hitting .318, while clubbing 14 home runs with 46 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

Don’t expect the 18-year-old Harper to continue his blitzkrieg through the minors, however. Even though his numbers have been solid, the Nationals don’t plan to call him up to the big club this season. The team wants to keep Harper in Double-A for the rest of the season before he moves onto the Arizona Fall League.

Newly-appointed Nationals manager Davey Johnson said the franchise is handling Harper the right way, adding, “He is going to be challenged [at Double-A]. ... They have better stuff, better command. For a hitter, it's better because the pitchers are around the plate. You see more pitches.”

[MLB.com]