A College Career That Never Was: The Unfulfilled Potential of Bryce Harper and Ohio State

Bryce Harper, one of the most talented baseball players of his generation, is perhaps most famously known for leaving his amateur career unfulfilled. Despite being a highly touted prospect, Harper chose to forgo college baseball and instead pursue a professional career, ultimately leading to his selection by the Washington Nationals in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft. While this decision undoubtedly set Harper on the path to success, it also sparked a great deal of speculation and debate regarding the potential impact it could have had on his development as a player and his relationship with the Ohio State Buckeyes, a program that had high hopes for the talented young outfielder.

For baseball fans, the idea of Harper donning the scarlet and gray of Ohio State may seem like a tantalizing prospect. The Buckeyes had long been considered one of the top programs in the country, with a storied history of producing talented players who went on to have successful careers in the major leagues. Given Harper's incredible talent and work ethic, many wondered if he could have been the piece that took the Buckeyes to the next level, helping them to win a national championship and establish themselves as a perennial powerhouse in the Big Ten Conference.

In this article, we will explore the possibilities of what could have been for Bryce Harper and Ohio State, examining the factors that led to his decision to forgo college baseball and the potential implications of this choice on his career and his relationship with the Buckeyes.

The Rise of Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper was born on October 16, 1992, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and grew up in a baseball-loving family. From a young age, Harper was known for his incredible raw talent, displaying a keen eye for hitting and a strong work ethic that allowed him to quickly develop into one of the top high school baseball players in the country.

As Harper entered his senior year of high school, he began to attract attention from college scouts and MLB teams, with many seeing him as a potential top prospect for the 2010 MLB draft. Despite his high profile, however, Harper's decision regarding his college career was far from certain, leaving many to wonder what could have been if he had chosen to attend Ohio State or another top program.

The Decision to Forgo College Baseball

So why did Harper choose to forgo college baseball and pursue a professional career? The answer is complex, and involves a combination of factors that ultimately led to his decision.

According to Harper, one of the main reasons he chose to forgo college was his desire to accelerate his development as a player. As a highly touted prospect, Harper knew that he had the potential to be a top player in the major leagues, and he was eager to start his professional career as soon as possible.

In addition, Harper's decision was also influenced by the financial benefits of signing with an MLB team directly out of high school. While many college programs offer full scholarships to their top players, the NBA and MLB often provide more lucrative signing bonuses to top prospects who choose to forgo college and enter the draft.

For Harper, the prospect of earning a significant signing bonus was a major factor in his decision, as it would have allowed him to hit the ground running and begin his professional career immediately.

The Potential Impact on Ohio State

So what could have been if Harper had chosen to attend Ohio State and play for the Buckeyes? In order to answer this question, it's worth examining the strengths and weaknesses of the program at the time, as well as the potential implications of having a player of Harper's caliber on the team.

Strengths of the Ohio State Program

The Ohio State Buckeyes had a strong baseball program in the early 2000s, with a number of talented players and coaches who helped to establish the team as a perennial powerhouse in the Big Ten Conference. With Harper on board, the Buckeyes would have had a significant boost to their talent level, potentially establishing themselves as one of the top programs in the country.

In addition, the presence of Harper would have also provided the Buckeyes with a much-needed recruiting boost, helping to attract top high school players from around the country who were looking for a top-notch program to play for.

Weaknesses of the Ohio State Program

Despite the strengths of the program, the Buckeyes also had a number of weaknesses that could have hindered Harper's development as a player. One of the main issues was the program's relatively high graduation rate, with many players leaving the program after their junior year.

This could have been a major factor in Harper's decision, as he would have been uncertain about whether or not he would be able to complete his college degree and ultimately return to the Buckeyes for his senior year.

Another potential issue was the program's lack of experienced coaches, with many feeling that the team was still rebuilding from the departure of some key players the previous year.

The Alternative Scenarios

While we can never know for certain how things would have played out if Harper had chosen to attend Ohio State, there are a number of alternative scenarios that could have provided insight into what might have been.

Harper's Role on the Team

If Harper had joined the Buckeyes, he would have likely played a key role on the team, potentially earning All-American honors and helping the Buckeyes to win a national championship.

The Impact on Recruiting

The presence of Harper on the Buckeyes would have undoubtedly had a significant impact on recruiting, helping to attract top high school players from around the country who were looking for a top-notch program to play for.

The Development of Other Players

With Harper on board, the Buckeyes might have also seen an improvement in the development of other players, potentially establishing themselves as one of the top programs in the country.

Conclusion

In the end, Bryce Harper's