He's going to pass up his final 2 years of HS, earn his GED, play one year at JuCo and enter the 2010 draft.

IMO, this move is genius. However, this is not the typical HS player. Next thing you know, every HS kid is gonna think he's the next 'Bryce Harper' and try to do the same thing.

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2009/06/high_school_phenom_bryce_harpe.html

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genius move

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How so? Just so he can get in the draft a little earlier? The kid needs time to grow up and mature, this move could potentially ruin him. He will be on the road in the minors, young, and could get into trouble.

If my son was all-everything, I would still have him complete his senior year, mature, and then let him decide on whether he wanted to go the MLB or college. This doesnt sound like something Bryce came up with on his own, either a parent, or an *cough* advisor.

(*i did not read the link yet, so if those points are answered, just negate them)

He's already been anointed the number 1 pick in the 2011 draft...even with Strasburg in this draft, he may have gone 1...definitely 2.

Any number of injuries could happen in HS (tommy john, etc.) At 17, he'd either have to play 3 years in Div 1 or one year at a JuCo in order to go in the draft. If you're going to go that early and collect a fairly lucrative signing bonus, do it early. It's not always gonna be there.

Yeah, he needs time to mature, he'll do it in the minors, just like all the Latin players that are signed at 16.

It's a huge gamble. The problem is that he can't really improve anymore in high school. He would undoubtedly go pro after high school anyways. He will get better coaching and competition at the Juco level, then get to the minors.

If it were my son, I would tell him to finish high school at the least.

Gotta feel for high school coach

I think it's a great idea. Sports Illustrated has good article last week. A couple of interesting tidbits.

At Trop Field for All-Star stuff, he hit a homer than went 502 feet. He hit six consecutive homers than averaged 469ft. He also hit a homer in high school that travelled 570 ft. That was with aluminum, but still impressive. In another tournament, he came up to bat twelve times. He hit one double and eleven homers.

He can throw mid 90s and sometimes pitches. He usually plays catcher, but could also play middle infield or outfield. Five tool prospect. What is he going to learn by playing with bunch of high school kids?

Yes, but at Tropicana Field, he was hitting with an aluminum bat. Still far, nonetheless

The thing that all HS players need to know going forward...Bryce could do this early. 99% of guys couldn't.

More power to him. Actually, I think a LOT of kids, regardless of athletic talent, should consider quitting high school and earning a GED. These days, a GED doesn't hold you back that much, and many students would be better off if they left early. A traditional high school diploma doesn't mean spit.

I am not concerned with his baseball development, I am concerned with his "human development." There are some things that you cannot teach in the minor leagues. If he is concerned about not being challeneged, then move the kid into a private school with a great baseball program (do they have this).

I do not think that comparing him to the latin players is a good comparision. The lives of the latin players are drastically improved by coming to the U.S., and even though the minor league life sucks, its usually 100 times better than where they came from.

Pushing a kid too early can ruin him. Sure the money is there now, and he can probably live for the rest of his life, but a great major league ball player gets what, 4-5 contracts? Each contract getting larger and larger? $50mil, if he gets it is a lot, but when you consider some guys get contracts worth $200mil and when you add in their previous contracts and advertising contracts, $50mil is not the greatest. I would rather take two years, grow up, master the game, including working behind the plate, and then sign out of highschool...it's his decision, errrr, his advisor's and parents', but my kid would finish highschool before I signed any contract for him.

Think long term, the money will be there, even with an injury (unless his arm falls off).

Posted from my phone, so please forgive any grammatical errors

I think it depends on the person. They say he's incredibly mature for his age.

If I'd had a chance to make millions of dollars at 16, I would have done it as well. If he has a good relationship with his family they'll help him stay grounded.

http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/11867102

Pretty much the side I take on this issue...

Posted from my phone, so please forgive any grammatical errors

Linking a Gregg Doyel article isn't the best way to back up your position. He's a doofus of the highest order.

I know GD isnt that well respected, but for once, I agree that pushing a kid into a 'mental sport' that early is wrong. I can name several young 'cant miss' guys that did.

I guess the only point of the article I would stress is what is the kid's goal. Does the kid want to be set for life and get the money now, or does he want to do what is best for his baseball career?

Ty Tryon - got his tour card at 17, and it took him until 2008 (24 years old - to get his first check from a tournamnet, $2,000 on a Nationwide Event)
Michelle Wie - she was too good for highschool, she needed to go straight to the LPGA, wait, maybe the PGA. We all know how that turned out.

If Michelle ever going to have to worry about financial security? No, but is that what she really wanted growing up, or did she want to be one of the top golfer?

Take your time, grow up, and if its meant to be, it will.

Posted from my phone, so please forgive any grammatical errors

My initial reaction was negative but now I think it is definitely the best move for the kid. First off, the kid has the skills to be the #1 pick hands down and every year that keeps him from getting to that monster signing bonus is a bad thing for him. Second, he is not living a normal life now and won't if he stays in HS. You don't get on the cover of SI and get the kind of attention he has and just live normally so I don't see how that is really even an option. Third, he is getting his GED and going to JUCO. So he has his HS degree and he is actually getting more real world exposure in a controlled setting at JUCO. It's kind of a baby step. I would think if he went straight from HS to getting a contract for $10 million (or whatever, maybe twice that) and going straight to the minors has a much greater maturity risk. At least at JUCO he will be around older people and living more of an adult life but won't have ridiculous cash in his pocket so he can adjust a bit. If he is really smart he will focus on some finance classes and other things that can prepare him for his future. Finally, he is going to be a professional baseball player. Clearly he will be better prepared playing against better talent at JUCO than being a walking video game against HS talent. He needs to be challenged or else he could regress.

Tennis players, gymnasts, soccer players, and pretty much every international athlete would do what he is doing without a second thought. Why is this so different?

Ty Tryon was the example I remebered. He had the fashion model girlfriend and everything too.

One question...do the Nationals have the money to draft this guy #1 overall after paying Strasburg?

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I think it depends on the person. They say he's incredibly mature for his age.

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So was Josh Hamilton. Remember, he had ++ makeup. I just hope the team that gets him learns from some of baseball's past mistakes and gives the kid the support system he needs in order to handle it all.

I knew several people in H.S. that finished early and went to college. He's getting the next part of his life underway early and I don't have any issues with it. The fact is, that he is obviously in a good enough standing academically to be able to do so which is pretty tough to do.

My oldest is 7, and we have a 5 year old. Our boys are in the 95+%ile for height, and both are probably going to be very tall. I'm 6'4", wife is 5'10".

We see too many kids being held back because the parent is either a believer their kid will have a better chance at a sports career, or always be a leader among their peers. Many are held back in Kindergarten.

My thought is... "Yes... a Freshman in college is looked up to, by HS Srs." These kids will be driving long before their peers.

This kid flies in the face of all those like Clausen (ND QB) who graduate from HS at 19+.

I'd encourage my kid to follow his heart, and don't turn your back on education. I took college courses before my Sr year of HS, and I expect my kids would have that option, as well.

Good for this kid!