Countdown to Harper..

[Jollay]

Deadline is 12pm Monday. Most people seem to think the Nats will get it done, and I tend to fall into that camp. If his demands are exorbitant, however, you have to think the Nats might pass and just take the compensational pick in what should be a good draft next year.

In any case, 106.7 THE FAN will have a special show going from 9pm (Overtime with Bill Rohland) on that will give updates on the progress. Gonna try to get Stan Kasten on and we do have a Scott Boras number...

I'm going in--I can't help myself. One of those things I have to know before I go to bed anyhow.

[craig01]

Are you in the business?

[Jollay]

Nats have now signed everyone except a.middle round Virginia Tech ss.(hurt) and Harper. The watch continues.

Just a part-time radio guy Craig...it's not a living but it's fun.

[Jollay]

I should mention Stan Kasten and Scott Boras weren't in a chatty mood when we called them. In fact Kasten was downright mean....

[Jollay]

Looks like the Nats got a decent, reasonable deal at first glance...

[jumanji]

What is the timetable for Harper? Does he play fallball somewhere?

[Jollay]

Gulf Coast Ball should begin in weeks if not days. It'll be tough for him to do anything else as the season is winding down in the minors, but he will almost certainly play fall ball as well.

As far as his timetable, signing a Major-League deal perhaps puts him on track to make his debut in May/June of 2012. But that's only if he rips through the minors. I suppose a 2011 September call-up would be possible as well, but most consider that unlikely.

He is learning a somewhat new position and his path to the majors will harder than Strasburg's, who was just about MLB-ready from day one. Harper has alot further to go.

[craig01]

Good to see Harper signed.

I think a debut before 2012 is pretty optimistic......just saying.

Maybe by September 2012 if things go near perfect.

[Jollay]

Good to see Harper signed.

I think a debut before 2012 is pretty optimistic......just saying.

Maybe by September 2012 if things go near perfect.

Yeah, I'd say Opening Day 2013 is the best chance. Sometime in 2012 isn't a bad bet, though.

[Rafael122]

3 years is such a long way though. But it's the right thing to do.

[Jollay]

Brian McNally of the Washington Examiner:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sport ... 52314.html

Harper is expected to meet with the Washington, D.C. media for the first time next week during the Nats’ seven-game homestand. From there he heads to Viera, Fla., and the organization’s spring training complex, where he could conceivably see action in a few Gulf Coast League games — the lowest level of minor league baseball.

Instead, Washington conducts an instructional league in Viera later in September for its younger prospects. Stephen Strasburg made his first appearance in a Nats uniform there and Harper will remain in Florida and do the same.

Another chance for Harper to get some at-bats is at the Arizona Fall League, where a few top prospects from each major league team gather in October and November. Strasburg pitched there last year. But he was a 21-year-old with three years of college experience.

“There’s an outside possibility we could do that,” Nats general manager Mike Rizzo said. “But we want to evaluate and see if Bryce is ready for that fairly advanced league after just getting his feet wet in professional baseball.”

[Jollay]

Again, that it is a major league deal is significant as it relates to his timetable. He goes on the 40-man immediately, so it is in the Nats' interest to move him along.

Still--he will have to earn his callups. Even if he tears up pitchers, I still think June 2012 at the absolute earliest...

[Jollay]

Harper is not on the Arizona Fall League roster, announced yesterday by the Nats.