Harper Catching On Quickly

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. The 17-year-old Harper, converting from catcher, made two putouts in five innings in right field, including a running catch (above) in the second inning. But this year's No. 1 overall draft pick struck out swinging in both at-bats. "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.