Harper, Cole named top SAL prospects

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - The Hagerstown Suns are pleased to announce that two Suns, Bryce Harper and A.J. Cole, were recognized by Baseball America in its annual "Top 20 SAL Prospects" list. Harper received the top spot on the list, and Cole was rated number 11.

Harper, 18, began his first professional season with the Suns and played in 72 games before being promoted to Double-A Harrisburg on July 4. During this time, he batted .318 with 17 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs and 46 RBIs. He drew 44 walks and had 19 stolen bases.

The Las Vegas, Nev., native was named the South Atlantic League's Most Outstanding Major League Prospect by the league's managers, general managers and media. He was also a 2011 SAL All-Star and received Player of the Week honors from the league on May 9 after going 12-for-24 with four doubles, one home run and four RBIs the previous week.

Cole, 19, had a 4-7 record and 4.04 ERA in 20 games, 18 starts, with the Suns this season. The right-hander threw 89 innings and held opponents to a .251 batting average. Cole, a native of Winter Springs, Fla., carried nearly an eight-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio, tallying 108 strikeouts while issuing only 24 walks.

The top five prospects list was rounded out by Manny Machado (Delmarva), Jurickson Profar (Hickory), Jameson Taillon (West Virginia) and Christian Yelich (Greensboro). The complete list can be found here.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Opening Day for the 2012 season will be in Hagerstown April 5 against the West Virginia Power. Season tickets, mini-plans, and group packages with the Suns are now on sale. For more information and to reserve your seats at Municipal Stadium, call 301-791-6266, or visit www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Hagerstown Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.