Will Bryce Harper Be Successful As A Young Catcher?
Since 1985, only Joe Mauer has been selected #1 overall as a catcher and only five times prior to that was a catcher taken with the first pick. Mauer is clearly the class of that group of first overall picks, the others did not have noteworthy careers. Catchers have also been selected four times with the #2 pick and five times with the #3 pick. The most notable success story of that group is BJ Surhoff, who spent the bulk of his career not as a catcher, but at other positions.
The question then becomes, will Bryce Harper, who's largely expected to be the first overall pick by the Nationals, work out as a player, more or less a catcher?
"I don't think you can compare today's player to those from so long ago," said a current catching coordinator. "When I'm asked to come take a look at a kid our club is considering taking in the draft, it's a fresh start. With a catcher, I'm just looking to see if he has the hands and feet, and of course the arm strength, to develop into a major league catcher."
Will Bryce Harper be able to cut it as a professional catcher?
So far, Harper has fit into the catching coordinator's mold. He's a very good athlete with a strong arm and plenty of coordination with his feet.
The one thing that particularly works in Harper's favor for whatever team ends up drafting him is his bat. "He's got big power potential and a really good arm," said a former GM. "He's got big power potential and a really good arm. You have options defensively. Looking back, I'm not sure most of those other guys other than Mauer had the offensive ceiling Harper has during his draft year." You have options defensively. Looking back, I'm not sure most of those other guys other than Mauer had the offensive ceiling Harper has during his draft year."
Though Harper's career thus far has been primarily at catcher, he's spent time in the infield, outfield and even on the mound. If he struggles defensively at catcher, but is able to hit, teams will find a place on the field for him to play.





















