Slugger Honored as Nation's Top High School Baseball Player Awards for Top Pitcher, Defender, Sportsman Announced
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bryce Harper capped his high school baseball career with its highest honor Saturday night when he was named the Aflac National High School Player of the Year and presented with the 2009 Jackie Robinson Award.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound catcher from Las Vegas (Nev.) High School was presented with the sixth annual award during the Aflac All-American Awards Dinner, which salutes prep baseball's top talent. On hand to make the presentation was Sonya Pankey, granddaughter of Jackie Robinson, and Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, the Aflac All-American Classic's honorary chairman.
Harper had a phenomenal sophomore season batting .626 with 14 home runs, and 55 RBI in 39 games. He also had 72 hits and stole 36 bases.
The Aflac National High School Player of the Year recognizes the nation's top high school player who has demonstrated outstanding character, exhibits leadership, and embodies the values of being a student-athlete in both his schoolwork and community affairs. The trophy, called the Jackie Robinson Award, is named for the renowned Brooklyn Dodger, the first player to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball, and a leader in social issues off the field.
Harper was chosen from among five nominees determined by official the Aflac All-American Baseball Classic selection partner Perfect Game. The other player of the year nominees included:
- Andrew (A.J.) Cole, RHP, Oviedo High School - Winter Springs, Fla.
- Justin O'Conner, RHP/INF, Cowan Junior/Senior High School - Muncie, Ind.
- DeAndre Smelter, RHP, Tattnall Square Academy - Macon, Ga.
- Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands High School - The Woodlands, Texas
In addition to Harper fellow All-Americans were also honored at the awards ceremony. A.J. Cole, (Oviedo HS) of Winter Springs, Fla., was named Pitcher of the Year. Cole (6-5, 190), a right handed pitcher, struck out 70 batters in 48.3 innings and posted a 1.45 earned run average.
For his outstanding abilities with his glove, Rancho Buena Vista High School's Tony Wolters won the inaugural Rawlings Defensive Player of the Year award. The 5-10, 165-pound middle infielder from Vista, Calif., was solid in the field and possesses a strong, accurate arm. At the plate, he hit .380 with eight home runs among his 41 hits.
