Brett Harper

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #14 prospect in 2007
  The son of former Twins catcher Brian Harper showed his plus power in 2005 when he finished third in the minors in home runs with 36 after hitting just 22 over his first four pro seasons. He returned to Double-A in 2006 and was raking through 19 games before a shoulder injury knocked him out for the season. Unlike his father, who was known for his ability to put the ball in play, Harper has an all-or-nothing approach. He's always looking for a fastball to drive and struggles with quality breaking pitches. He's a slow runner with below-average range at first base and doesn't look comfortable making even routine plays. His poor defense and lack of versatility limit his value as a reserve, but if he can continue to hit with tremendous power he should be able to find a job as a regular, even if it's not with the Mets. He'll be ready for spring training following shoulder surgery and will get a shot to prove himself in Triple-A.
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  Ranked New York Mets #10 prospect in 2006
  Baseball is in Harper's genes, as his father Brian spent 16 years in the big leagues. Brett has much more pop than his dad ever did, and began to show it in games in 2005. After totaling 22 homers in his first four pro seasons, he finished third in the minors with 36. While his father, now a manager in the Angels minor league system, was known for his ability to put the ball in play with uncanny consistency, Harper employs more of an all-or-nothing approach. It has become clear that his plus-plus power will be his ticket to the big leagues. He always looks for fastballs to drive and continues to struggle mightily with breaking pitches, which leads to alarming strikeout totals. He doesn't run well and his defensive ability is poor. His range is limited at first base and he doesn't look comfortable making even routine plays. His makeup took a hit when he was suspended for two weeks in late June following an altercation at a bar in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Harper proved himself in a half-season at Double-A after struggling there in 2004. He's in line for a promotion to Triple-A, but the Mets trade with Florida that landed Carlos Delgado clouds his future in New York.
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  Ranked New York Mets #24 prospect in 2005
  Harper's father Brian spent 16 seasons in the majors and his uncle Glenn played in the Mets system in the mid-1970s. Brett attracted little notice during his first three seasons with the Mets, but that changed with a loud three months in the Florida State League last year, when he hit .350 with power. He always had put the bat on the ball, but he showed the ability to pull the ball instead of just serving singles to the opposite field. His improved pitch recognition allowed him to get into hitter's counts and show the raw power the Mets had seen in batting practice. The former third baseman is a little stiff at first base. As good as Harper's high Class A stint was, he will have to prove himself against better pitching. He struggled in Double-A, where his strikeout rate soared, and he looked no better in the Arizona Fall League. He's expected to head back to Double-A this year to regroup.