Bryce Harper makes his debut in the Florida Instructional League

Bryce Harper of Las Vegas was a success in the field in his debut with the Washington Nationals’ entry in the Florida Instructional League on Thursday at Viera, Fla. Success at the plate will have to wait. Harper, 17, converting from catcher, made two putouts in five innings in right field, including a running catch (above) during the second inning. However, this year’s No. 1 overall draft pick struck out swinging in both at-bats, first on a 2-2 count, then a full count. “I hadn’t seen pitching for five months. It’s a little hard,” Harper told Florida Today. “Everybody gets a spring training. This is mine.” The Nationals play the Astros today at Kissimmee.