Alright, let’s talk about this Chase Harlan kid and the MLB draft buzz. I’ve been keeping half an eye on the high school prospects this year, kinda like I do most springs. You hear names float around, see a highlight here and there.
So, Harlan’s name popped up. First time I really paid attention was probably seeing some clip online – kid’s got some serious pop in his bat, you can tell that right away. Looked like he was playing shortstop too, maybe third base? Can’t quite recall which game it was. It’s tough to judge much from just highlights, you know? Everyone looks like a superstar in a 30-second clip.
I started digging a bit more, just casual stuff. Reading what the local sports guys were saying, checking out some forum chatter. Seems like he’s been on the radar for a while, especially being from up north, Pennsylvania I think. You always wonder how those guys project compared to the warm-weather state players who play year-round.
My Observations (Just watching from afar)
From what I’ve pieced together, mostly watching whatever footage I could find:
- The Power: It’s real. The ball jumps off his bat differently. He’s got that raw strength you look for.
- Swing Mechanics: Looked pretty smooth most times I saw him. Sometimes got a little long, but hey, he’s a high school kid. Plenty of time to refine that.
- Fielding: This is harder to gauge from afar. Saw him make some decent plays. Arm strength looked okay, maybe average, maybe a bit more? Hard to tell velocity from a video feed. Position-wise, folks seem locked on third base for him down the line. Makes sense with his size and power profile.
It’s always interesting following these young guys. You see the potential, the raw tools. But then you gotta remember the jump to pro ball, especially the wood bats, the better pitching, the grind. It weeds a lot of guys out fast.
I remember back in the day following prospects, some guys looked like sure things and just fizzled out in A-ball. Others were afterthoughts who ended up having solid careers. It’s such a crapshoot sometimes. You look at a kid like Harlan, see the tools, and you just hope he lands in a good spot, gets good coaching, and stays healthy.
So yeah, my “practice” was basically just watching from the cheap seats, digitally speaking. Seeing the reports, watching clips when they surfaced, and doing my own armchair scouting. He’s definitely a name I’ll be listening for when the draft rolls around. Curious to see where he actually goes and how his career starts off. It’s the same routine every year, but still kinda fun to follow along.
