SAN DIEGO — At age 17, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado shared a bunk bed at a dorm in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Teammates then on the USA 18U national team, this week they are opponents fighting for same prize: a spot in the World Series.
In the 13 years in between, Harper and Machado have moved in near lockstep building prolific, Cooperstown-tracking careers. Each was drafted in 2010 with one of the first three picks. Each reached the big leagues at such a young age they had to grow out of their immaturity in front of cameras and critics.