Bryce Harper left high after his sophomore year and enrolled as a 17-year old at the College of Southern Nevada. In 66 games he hit .443 with a .526 on-base percentage, slugging 31 homers with 98 RBI. For his efforts he received the 2010 Golden Spikes Award given to the nation’s best amateur baseball player.
It was all part of the plan to reach the Major Leagues as early as possible. After his lone collegiate season, Harper entered the draft as a 17-year old.
The Washington Nationals selected him with the first overall pick in the 2010 draft.
Each first-rounder that year received a note card like this one from Hall of Fame commissioner Bud Selig. Here Selig congratulates the first-round selection and closes with, “You are the future of our great game and I wish you the best in your career.”
Selig has signed the bottom of the card in blue ink.