It depends on which team has the second worse record. The first pick in the MLB draft goes to the team with the worst record the year before. Right now, the Washington Nationals are already 8.5 games worse than the team with second worst record (Colorado), and are likely to stay that way.

But the Nationals are known to be cheap, partially because they have to be since they have virtually no secondary revenue such as TV ratings (they average 12,000 viewers a game). It is likely that the Nationals will not want to pay Harper's bonus request, and therefore draft somebody else. It's also rather likely that the Nationals will have the worst record next year, so staying or waiting will not make a difference from that perspective.

Right now, Baseball Prospectus estimates that the Nationals will end up with 64-65 wins. The teams expected to end up with between 70-74 wins are Baltimore, Kansas City, Chicago White Sox, Oakland, and Arizona, with Baltimore the "favorite" to have the second-worst record. That prediction makes sense given the strength of the rest of the AL East.

If the White Sox or Arizona manage to have the second worst record, then Harper should turn pro - he'd be perfect in either organization. If it's KC or Baltimore, he should shoot for 2011. The A's are the wild card, as they do not have a lot of money, but they do a reasonable job of developing young power hitters. I think going to the A's would be a good move on his part.

I think he should wait until 2011, he'll be 18 at that time and through school.

From a baseball standpoint, I think he should aim for 2010. He clearly has nothing more to learn from high school baseball, and he would simply be stalling his development for a year if he waited until 2011.

However, there are other concerns beyond his development as a baseball player. First, I don't think he should enter the draft without earning his high school diploma. He's a good student though, and the SI profile of him mentioned a plan to fast-track and take his GED if he does indeed aim for 2010 entry.

Second, high school is an important phase in everyone's life. I personally wouldn't encourage my kids to fast-track their high school years to jump into their career as soon as possible, no matter what that career is. Kids are kids, and they should have a chance to enjoy their teenagehood.

Finally, if Harper somehow bypasses his last year of high school, there's bound to be an uproar. If he can do it, why can't everyone else? I doubt MLB wants him to be able to enter the draft in 2010, since it puts things on a slippery slope. This could bring all sorts of unwanted attention upon the young man.

I don't know the answer. If it was my kid, I'd probably say wait until 2011. If I was the GM of the Washington Nationals, I'd be crossing my fingers that the 2010 idea works out.