The Washington Nationals opted once again to take one of the most celebrated amateur players ever with the first overall pick in baseball's draft, grabbing 17-year-0ld Las Vegas catcher Bryce Harper to begin Monday night's selections.

Tuesday night in Washington, Stephen Strasburg will make his major league debut, less than a year after the Nationals drafted him first overall out of San Diego State and signed him to a contract package worth at least $15.1 million. Harper, who the Nationals said will switch to the outfield as a pro, won't reach the major leagues as quickly as Strasburg, nor command that much in negotiations with the Nationals, but as an everyday player, he could have a greater long-term impact.

Harper, appearing live on the MLB Network from advisor Scott Boras' California headquarters, said the pick was a culmination of a dream: "It's what I've wanted since I was 7 years old. Wherever (the Nationals) need me to play, I'm there. I just want to make it and see what happens when I get there."

Harper went to great lengths to merely be eligible for selection this year; rather than play his junior season of high school baseball, he obtained his GED and enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada rather than wait until 2011. The move paid off: Harper hit .442 with 29 home runs and 89 RBI in 62 games, though his season ended prematurely when he was ejected from a game at last week's Junior College World Series.

That was the end of his amateur career. Now, Boras and the Nationals have until Aug. 16 to reach agreement on a contract with Harper. When asked if Harper will be allowed to wear his globs of eye black as a professional, Nats GM Mike Rizzo said, "No."

An up-to-the-minute look at Monday's 50 draftees, with links to scouting reports provided by MLB.com:

1. Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, OF, 17, College of Southern Nevada. He may have some growing up to do, but Harper and Strasburg give the Nationals two building blocks teams can only dream about. It should be noted that the Nationals announced Harper as an outfielder; his days as a catcher are probably over, and he'll probably reach the majors faster as an outfielder.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon, RHP, 18, The Woodlands (Texas) High. The next great power pitcher from Texas throws in the upper-90s, but the team must first persuade him -- and agent Scott Boras -- to forgo a commitment to Rice and sign a contract. Pirates GM Neil Huntington called the choice of Taillon over shortstop Manny Machado "a gut-wrenching decision."

3. Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado, SS, 18, Brito High (Miami). He's often compared to Alex Rodriguez since both were power-hitting shortstops from South Florida. Machado is good, but not that good.

4. Kansas City Royals: Christian Colon, SS, 21, Cal State Fullerton. The draft's first mild surprise. Colon has the makeup, skill and background to be a solid middle infielder and team leader. He was a captain for the USA national college team last summer until breaking his leg but returned to lead Cal State Fullerton to the NCAA tournament. Though the Royals have many holes and Colon could be the first to reach the major leagues from this draft class, he's also not what many scouts would describe as a franchise player.

5. Cleveland Indians: Drew Pomeranz, LHP, 21, Mississippi. The first collegiate pitcher selected, Pomeranz was the SEC player of the year who struck out 139 in 100 2/3 innings behind a 90-94 mph fastball. Very advanced pitching prospect who could reach Cleveland quickly.

6. Arizona Diamondbacks: Barret Loux, RHP, 21, Texas A&M. He has four pitches, including a fastball, curve, slider and changeup. He improved throughout the college season and ascended the draft boards to land in the top half-dozen, a far loftier position than he could have imagined just weeks ago. Loux is pitching tonight in a college regional elimination game against Miami.

7. New York Mets: Matt Harvey, RHP, 21, North Carolina. Harvey nearly signed with the Angels out of high school, but instead went to North Carolina and won 22 career games. This season, he went 8-3 with a 3.09 ERA and struck out 102 in 96 innings, though he's occasionally haunted by command issues. Has the stuff to be a top-rotation guy.

8. Houston Astros: Delino DeShields Jr., OF, 17, Woodward Park Academy (College Park, Ga.). He is a similar player as his father, a former major league second baseman by the same name. DeShields has tremendous speed and little power and covers ground well as a center fielder. The Astros were linked to DeShields in many mock drafts, but he ascended the board to go here rather than at their No. 19 slot.

9. San Diego Padres: Karsten Whitson, RHP, 18, Chipley (Fla.) High. The nephew of former major-league pitcher Ed Whitson, the right-hander could emerge as one of the top pitchers in this draft. He has a mid-90s fastball as well as the build to hold up for 30-plus starts a year.

10. Oakland Athletics: Michael Choice, OF, 20, Texas-Arlington. This pick could have come during the height of the A's Moneyball heyday. Choice features both power and patience, hitting .383 with 16 home runs, 76 walks and a .568 on-base percentage in 196 at-bats this season. Decent, but not great, speed and arm.

11. Toronto Blue Jays: Deck McGuire, RHP, 20, Georgia Tech. He likely won't dominate in the majors but is a safe pick and could be a mid-rotation anchor with three pitches and the ability to eat up innings.

12. Cincinnati Reds: Yasmani Grandal, C, 21, Miami. A native of Cuba who moved to the USA when he was 11, Grandal was the ACC player of the year. A switch-hitter, he has steadily improved at the plate and built a reputation as a strong signal caller behind it. He's also advanced as a catcher and should be quicker to the majors than many backstops. This could be a great value at No. 12 and could give the Reds an excellent recent run of first-rounders, following on the heels of Mike Leake and Grandal's fellow Miami Hurricane, Yonder Alonso.

13. Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale, LHP, 21, Florida Gulf Coast. He was selected the top prospect in the Cape Cod League last summer and then went 11-0 with a 2.01 ERA and led Division I with 146 strikeouts and only 14 walks.

14. Milwaukee Brewers: Dylan Covey, RHP, 18, Maranatha High (Pasadena, Calif.). One of the livelier arms in the draft. Covey has four pitches, including a mid-90s fastball. He has been compared to Giants right-hander Matt Cain. Covey faced small-school competition in high school but shined at various showcase tournaments.

15. Texas Rangers (unsigned pick Matt Purke): Jake Skole, OF, 18, Blessed Trinity High School (Roswell, Ga.). Skole has huge upside and fills a premium position, and clearly must not have signability issues as the Rangers will not receive compensation for this pick if they are unable to sign Skole. He certainly has enough leverage; as a hard-hitting safety he earned a football scholarship to Georgia Tech. The Rangers hope he becomes their version of Grady Sizemore, who similarly eschewed a football commitment to Washington.

16. Chicago Cubs: Hayden Simpson, RHP, Southern Arkansas. The biggest surprise of the first round. Baseball America's Jim Callis immediately termed the pick something of a reach, as Simpson, a hard-throwing starter, may have been available several rounds later.

17. Tampa Bay Rays: Josh Sale, OF, 18, Bishop Blanchet High (Wash.). He's big and strong which will translate into above-average power as a pro. However, he's also not exactly nimble and will be a corner outfielder at best.

18. Los Angeles Angels (from Mariners - Chone Figgins): Kaleb Cowart, 3B, 18, Cook County (Ga.) High. Cowart was drafted as a third baseman, his preferred position, but appears to have a higher ceiling as a pitcher. His salary demands could make Cowart a tricky signing, but if the Angels can bring him in they will get a big-time talent.

19. Houston Astros (from Tigers - Jose Valverde): Mike Fotynewicz, RHP, 18, Minooka Community (Ill.) High. The Astros' second pick in the first round is another high schooler. Fotynewicz throws 96 mph and can still grow into his 6-4, 190-pound body. He already has nice movement on his pitches and an advanced changeup.

20. Boston Red Sox (from Braves - Billy Wagner): Kolbrin Vitek, 2B, 21, Ball State. A great pure hitter with decent speed and power, though he's not particularly gifted defensively. He hit .361 in his junior season and his home run production increased from five as a freshman to 17 this season.

21. Minnesota Twins: Alex Wimmers, RHP, 21, Ohio State. Wimmers is a classic first-round college pick -- a polished, safe choice, likely not far from reaching the majors, but perhaps a longshot to develop into an ace.

22. Texas Rangers: Kellin Deglan, C, 18, Langley Balze (British Columbia). Deglan is unique in that he is an impact left-handed hitter who has what it takes to reach the majors as a catcher. However the Rangers will have be patient as he is young and catchers tend to take more time to develop than other position players.

23. Florida Marlins: Christian Yelich, OF, 18, Westlake High (Thousand Oaks, Calif.). Yelich can also play first base and has been compared to players such as James Loney and John Olerud, hitters with smooth swings who use the entire field but don't have big power.

24. San Francisco Giants: Gary Brown, OF, 21, Cal State Fullerton. Brown has had a big season for the Titans, hitting .438. His game is speed and he will work well covering the vast outfield at AT&T Park. He could be in the majors before you know it too.

25. St. Louis Cardinals: Zach Cox, 3B, 21, Arkansas. The best pure hitter in the draft dropped from where most predicted he would go. The left-handed swinging Cox came of age in the Cape Cod League last summer. He has also played second base, which may be his position as a pro.

26. Colorado Rockies: Kyle Parker, OF, 20, Clemson. This may be the most challenging player to sign at the top of the draft. Parker is also Clemson's starting quarterback and could have a future in the NFL. As a baseball player, he is a power hitter with good athleticism.

27. Philadelphia Phillies: Jesse Biddle, LHP, 18, Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia). The local kid gets to stay home, now to get to work. Biddle, 6-6 and 225 pounds, is raw but talented and will have probably take time to actually make it back to Philadelphia.

28. Los Angeles Dodgers: Zack Lee, RHP, 18, McKinney (Texas) High. Lee is another pick who will have to be persuaded (and handsomely paid) to pass on a football career. Lee is one of the top high school quarterbacks in Texas and is set to play football and baseball at LSU. If the Dodgers can sign him it will be big victory for them.

29. Los Angeles Angels (from Red Sox - John Lackey): Cameron Bedrosian, RHP, 18, East Coweta High (Sharpsburg, Ga.). The son of 1987 NL Cy Young Award winner Steve Bedrosian, Cameron is smaller than his dad at 6-feet but has a 96-mph fastball and advanced slider.

30. Los Angeles Angels: Chevez Clarke, OF, 18, Marietta High. Clarke is what scouts like to call "toolsy." He can do everything well but needs to work on his consistency and polish all of those skills.

31. Tampa Bay Rays: Justin O'Conner, C, 18, Cowan (Ind.) High: Catcher? Shortstop? Pitcher? O'Conner's future could potentially be at either of those positions, but his future likely will be driven by a naturally strong build and an excellent bat. May take time to develop but upside appears large.

32. New York Yankees: Cito Culver, SS, 18, Irondequoit High (Rochester, N.Y.). Could it be Derek Jeter's replacement? Maybe not. Culver has a long ways to go to reach the Bronx and may not even make it as a shortstop. Most experts considered the pick to be a reach, as Culver is very raw and few prospects have come out of uptstae New York.

Compensation Round A

33. Astros: Michael Kvasnicka, 3B, 21, Minnesota.

34. Blue Jays: Aaron Sanchez, RHP, 17, Barstow (Calif.) High. He may be much further away from the major leagues than many of his draft class, as he's still growing into his 6-3 frame and needs to harness command issues. Of course, his upside -- with a fastball already touching 93 mph -- could make the wait worthwhile.

35. Braves: Matt Lipka, SS, 18, McKinney (Texas) High.

36. Red Sox: Bryce Brentz, OF, 21, Middle Tennessee State. After leading Division I in average, home runs and slugging percentage a year ago, Brentz was slowed by a broken right ankle this season. He still managed to hit .348 with 15 home runs and projects to be an elite run producer.

37. Angels: Taylor Lindsey, SS, 18, Desert Mountain High (Scottsdale, Ariz.).

38. Blue Jays: Noah Syndergaard, RHP, 17, Legacy High (Kaufman, Texas).

39. Red Sox: Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, 20, LSU. A few months ago he was the top college pitcher but dropped because of a stress reaction in his right elbow. He is supposedly healthy now but has continued to struggle. There's also the matter of having to negotiate with Boras.

40. Angels: Ryan Bolden, OF, 18, Madison (Miss.) Central High.

41. Blue Jays: Asher Wojciechowski, RHP, 21, The Citadel. He has a big arm but needs to polish his slider and changeup. Wojciechowski could make the majors as a reliever.

42. Rays: Drew Vettleson, OF, 18, Central Kitsap High (Silverdale, Wash.).

43. Mariners: Taijuan Walker, RHP, 17, Yucaipa (Calif.) High.

44. Tigers: Nick Castellanos, 3B, 18, Archbishop McCarthy High. Defense may be his strength, with the ability to play second, third or shortstop. Then again, Castellanos won a high school home run hitting at Wrigley Field last year.

45. Rangers: Luke Jackson, RHP, 18, Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).

46. Cardinals: Seth Blair, RHP, 21, Arizona State.

47. Rockies: Peter Tago, RHP, 17, Dana Hills High, Dana Point, Calif.

48. Tigers: Chance Ruffin, RHP, 21, Texas. The son of former left-hander Bruce Ruffin has been mostly a reliever for the Longhorns and projects as a setup man or closer in the pros.

49. Rangers: Mike Olt, 3B, 21, Connecticut.

50. Cardinals: Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, 17, Henderson (Texas) High.