CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Being a part of a trade in baseball is often bittersweet for all of the parties who are involved. On one hand, one team is willing to do without the player’s services while another team wants to bring them onboard.
After being sent via trade to the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals from the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, former Clarksville High and Austin Peay baseball pitcher Ryne Harper said he harbors no ill will or resent toward his former organization.
“Minnesota gave me the opportunity that I dreamed of and worked hard for,” Harper said. “I’ll forever be grateful to them for that. I loved it there and would be happy if I were still there, but this is a better situation for me. That’s just how the business works. You go wherever your name is called and I’m happy to be where I am now. I think everything happens for a reason.”
Harper was acquired by the Nationals after recently being designated for assignment by the Twins. In the eventual transaction, Minnesota received young right-handed pitcher Hunter McMahon in exchange for Harper.
“When the world series was over, I resigned with the Twins so I already had a contract for this year in place,” Harper said. “They wanted me back, but they had to make a spot for Donaldson (Josh) and they chose me to take off instead. I became available for trade and placed on waivers. The Nationals were really eager to get me, so now I’m with Washington and blessed to be there.”
It’s no secret that the Nats were keen on Harper after letting go of a recent ninth-round draft pick to add the 30-year-old reliever.
“It’s awesome,” Harper said of the situation. “I knew a trade was maybe coming and when I got the call and was told it was the Nationals, I was thrilled. They have some of the best pitchers in baseball, a great lineup and everyone I talked to with the organization so far has been really nice. I’m excited to be there.”
Former Austin Peay Governor Shawn Kelley recently spent three years in D.C. from 2016 to 2018. Harper said he’s gotten the chance to chat with the former National a little about the organization and the city itself.
“Shawn reached out to me and sent me a text yesterday,” Harper said. “Shawn’s a great guy and told me some of his best friends are on the team. He told me if I needed anything to reach out to him and he’ll help me in any way that he can. He said he’s excited for me to be there.”
After being left off the Twins’ postseason roster this past fall, Harper wasn’t able to help his team by taking the mound, but still thoroughly enjoyed the experience and everything it had to offer.
“I have no mixed feelings about it at all,” Harper said. “I was there pulling for my guys trying to win some more. Unfortunately, it came to an end in the first round. Any competitor would want to be out there, but it was bigger than just that at that point. It was a team thing.”
After spending eight years in the minors, Harper finished his first major league season with a 5-2 record, recording one save and a 3.81 ERA in 2019. He now joins a Washington bullpen that features the likes of Daniel Hudson, Will Harris and Sean Doolittle.
National fans have taken to social media, begging the team to give Harper the number 34 jersey so they can break theirs out from the back of the closet.
“No, I can’t do that,” Harper said laughingly. “That’d be wrong. I did see it on Twitter and thought it was pretty funny, but no I’m not going to do that.”
With less than two months remaining until Opening Day, Harper is looking toward to a fresh start and the next chapter of his career.
“I’m excited to get down there and meet a bunch of new guys in the organization,” Harper said. “I’m just going to try and make the team by doing anything they ask of me. Be a good guy, take care of my own business and do the things that I can control.”