Bryce Harper Chosen For Futures Game

And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming... at least until Jim Riggleman says something else crazy. Until then, though, let's talk about the guy that was making much of the Nats news before the recent winning streak and managerial meltdown: Bryce Harper.

Lost in the hubbub of a stellar 2 weeks of baseball and the front office drama, the Hagerstown Suns star was selected to be participate in the All-Star Futures Game during the All-Star festivities in Phoenix in July. Harrisburg Senators P Brad Peacock will join Harper as the other representative from the Nats organization.

This season in Hagerstown, Harper is sporting a .330/.429/.586 slash line and an about-expected 14 homers at the break. He's also put together a stellar 23.9 wRAA (weighted runs above average), showing his offensive prowess with the low-A club.

The honor of being selected to the Futures Game is certainly not lost on Harper, as he told MLB.com's Bill Ladson. In Harper-esque form, he trivialized the Sally League All-Star Game as "a miniature game" compared to the distinction of playing in the big league All-Star Weekend. And of course, he isn't wrong. We just look forward to how he plays against a host of talent from across the minors, all the way up to the Triple-A level.