Harper absence not surprising: U.S. manager

U.S. manager Garye LaFevers said he’s not surprised Bryce Harper is not in Thunder Bay.

A cornerstone of last year’s junior national team, LaFevers said the hard-hitting catcher, the No. 1 overall pick of the Washington Nationals in June’s Major League Baseball draft, likely has too much at stake to risk his future playing for his country at the World Junior Baseball Championship.

LaFevers said he’s sure Harper, who had 31 homeruns in 66 Scenic West Athletic Conference games in 2010, wanted to be here, but was likely advised not to play.

“Financially and negotiating-wise, I don’t think it makes sense. He’s got too much of a future invested in his life to take the chance to be hurt here,” LaFevers said. “I’m not sure the exact reason why, but I’m sure it has to do with that.”

Earlier this month Harper, represented by agent Scott Boras, was given the Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur baseball player in the United States.