Over the next several weeks RealGMBaseball will be holding our 2014 Major League Baseball ‘Be The GM’ Contest to determine which player would be the best selection to build a franchise around.

The contest, which is being brought to you by the Original Retro Brand, is described and previewed here: RealGM’s 2014 ‘Be The GM’ Contest. You’ll want to check out the link for rules on how to enter to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card and to see the full contest schedule.

We have advanced into the Elite Eight and will determine our Final Four over the next two weeks.

Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins and Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals are featured in Monday’s matchup. Voting will extend through July 11.

The baseball world mourned together when Fernandez was lost for the season as he joined the ever-growing list of Tommy John victims. Just 21, the Cuban right-hander has been dominant since making his debut against the New York Mets last April. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year had a 2.19 ERA, 0.979 WHIP and 187 strikeouts in 172.2 innings (28 starts) last season.

Fernandez was off to a good start yet again in 2014, posting a 2.44 ERA, 0.948 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in eight starts (51.2 innings). The Marlins won in five of his eight appearances. Fernandez ranked third among NL pitchers in WAR (6.3) and seven overall in his first season. His ERA was higher than only one man -- Clayton Kershaw. 

It's hard to believe that Harper has only been in the Major Leagues for two years. The 2012 National League Rookie of the Year is a career .271/.351/.471 hitter with 43 home runs and 127 RBIs. His 2014 season has been derailed by a left thumb injury, but he looked to be on his way to another very good season before hitting the disabled list. In 115 plate appearances, he is hitting .269/.333/.385.

For the third-straight season, Harper is the youngest player in the National League. He contributed 5.1 WAR to the Nationals in 2012 despite not debuting until late April. That figure dropped to 3.5 last season when injuries limited him to 118 games. It appears as though his defense has been the difference. He posted 1.4 dWAR in his rookie season, but was negative in 2013 and is this year as well.

Vote In This Matchup: Fernandez or Harper?

Previous Matchups:

July 2: Trout or Hernandez?

June 30: Tanaka or Cabrera?

Next Matchup: July 9 – Andrew McCutchen vs. Clayton Kershaw

Don’t forget to Tweet your pick along with #BeTheGM to be entered to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card.