Harper hopping to pro baseball

USC left-hander Bryan Harper has elected to forego his senior season and sign with the Washington Nationals, who selected him in the 30th round of the MLB draft in June.

Harper announced Monday afternoon on his Twitter account that he was leaving for Florida on Thursday to join Washington’s minor league system.

"Thanks to USC and all of GamecockNation for a great year in Cola," he tweeted. "I couldn't have asked for a better year."

The 6-foot-6 Harper, who spent just one season at USC after transferring from the College of Southern Nevada, compiled a 1-0 record with one save and a 5.40 in just 18 1/3 innings this past season. He did not appear in the College World Series, where the Gamecocks won their second consecutive national championship.

He will join his highly-touted younger brother Bryce, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft, in the Nationals organization.

Harper becomes the sixth USC player from the 2011 team to sign a professional contract, joining second baseman Scott Wingo, shortstop Peter Mooney, third baseman Adrian Morales, and pitchers John Taylor and Steven Neff.

This story was originally published August 1, 2011 at 2:43 PM with the headline "Harper hopping to pro baseball."