Bryce Harper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bryce Harper |
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Harper with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021
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| Philadelphia Phillies – No. 3 | |||
| First baseman / Right fielder | |||
| Born: October 16, 1992 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 28, 2012, for the Washington Nationals | |||
| MLB statistics (through July 27, 2025) |
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| Batting average | .281 | ||
| Hits | 1,746 | ||
| Home runs | 351 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,019 | ||
| Stolen bases | 150 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Bryce Aron Max Harper (born October 16, 1992) is an American professional baseball player. He plays as a first baseman and right fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Phillies, he played for the Washington Nationals.
Bryce Harper was seen as one of the most talented young players before he was even drafted. People called him a "five-tool player" because he could hit for power, hit for average, run fast, throw well, and field well. He left high school early to attend the College of Southern Nevada, where he won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award for the best amateur player.
The Nationals chose Harper as the very first pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He started playing in MLB on April 28, 2012, when he was just 19 years old. He was even picked for the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, making him the youngest position player ever to play in an All-Star Game.
Harper won the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award in 2012. In 2015, he tied for the most home runs in the NL. He was also named the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2015, becoming the youngest MLB player to win this award at age 23.
After the 2018 season, Harper signed a huge 13-year contract with the Phillies. It was the biggest contract in North American sports at the time. He won his second NL MVP award in 2021 with the Phillies. In 2022, he helped the Phillies reach the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. He was a key player in helping them win the NL pennant and was named the NLCS MVP.
Contents
Early Life and High School Baseball
Bryce Harper grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and went to Las Vegas High School. In May 2009, a famous sports magazine called Sports Illustrated featured him on its cover. They compared him to basketball star LeBron James, calling Harper his sport's "Chosen One." That same spring, he won the Baseball America high school player of the year award.
College Baseball Career
Harper earned his GED in October 2009. This allowed him to finish high school early and become eligible for the MLB draft sooner, in June 2010.
For the 2010 college season, 17-year-old Harper joined the College of Southern Nevada. He played as a catcher. His older brother, Bryan, was a pitcher on the same team. They often played together as a pitcher-catcher team. In college, they used wooden bats, just like in MLB, which helped Harper prepare for professional baseball.
In 66 games, Harper hit 31 home runs and had 98 RBIs. He had a batting average of .443. His 31 home runs broke the school's old record of 12. He was named the 2010 SWAC Player of the Year.
In the college World Series, Harper had an amazing game where he got 6 hits out of 7 tries, including hitting for the cycle (a single, double, triple, and home run in one game). He was later ejected from a game for arguing with the umpire, which led to a two-game suspension. This ended his amateur career. Harper then won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award, given to the best amateur baseball player in the country.
Professional Baseball Journey
Drafted by the Nationals
The Washington Nationals picked Harper as the first overall player in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. Even though Harper mostly played catcher before, the Nationals decided he would play as an outfielder. This was to help him have a longer career and get to MLB faster.
Harper and the Nationals agreed to a five-year contract worth $9.9 million. This included a $6.25 million signing bonus. He chose to wear jersey number 34 because he admired baseball legend Mickey Mantle, whose numbers 3 and 4 add up to 7.
Minor League Development
After playing well in a fall league, Harper joined the Arizona Fall League (AFL). He was the second-youngest player ever in that league. He hit very well, with a .343 batting average. Harper and his team, the Scottsdale Scorpions, won the 2010 AFL Championship.
In 2011, Harper started his minor league career with the Hagerstown Suns. After a slow start, he found out he needed contact lenses. After getting them, he started hitting much better. He was chosen to play in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game. Later, he was promoted to the Harrisburg Senators, a Double-A team. His season ended early due to a hamstring injury.
Harper started the 2012 season with the Syracuse Chiefs, a Triple-A team.
Washington Nationals (2012–2018)
2012: Rookie of the Year Season
The Nationals called Harper up to the major leagues on April 27, 2012. He made his MLB debut the next day against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He got his first major league hit, a double, in that game.
On May 6, Harper became the first teenager since 1964 to steal home plate. On May 14, at 19 years old, he hit his first career MLB home run. He was the youngest player to hit a homer in the majors since 1998. He was named National League Rookie of the Month for May.
During a game in June, a reporter asked Harper if he would celebrate with a beer, since the drinking age in Canada was 19. Harper famously replied, "I'm not going to answer that. That's a clown question, bro." This phrase quickly became very popular.
Harper was chosen for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, becoming the youngest position player ever to make an All-Star roster. He struggled a bit after the All-Star break but improved in late August. He hit two home runs in a game for the first time on August 29. He was named Rookie of the Month again in September.
Harper's first year was historic for a player under 20. He had 22 home runs and 98 runs scored. In the playoffs, he hit his first postseason home run. Harper was named the National League Rookie of the Year, beating out other talented players.
2013: Second All-Star Selection
Harper started the 2013 season strong, hitting two home runs on Opening Day. At age 20, he was the youngest player to hit two homers in his team's first game of the season. He was voted to start in the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, his second All-Star selection.
He also took part in the 2013 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. He hit 16 home runs to reach the final round, where he lost. Harper was the youngest player to reach the final round of the Home Run Derby. He hit his 39th career home run on August 6, passing Ken Griffey Jr. for most homers by a player under 21. He finished the season with 20 home runs.
2014: Injury and Return
On April 25, 2014, Harper injured his left thumb while sliding into third base. He needed surgery to fix a torn ligament. He returned to play on June 30. In 100 games that season, he batted .273 with 13 home runs.
2015: First NL MVP Award
On May 6, 2015, Harper hit three home runs in a single game for the first time in his career. He was the youngest player to do this since 1969. He was also named the Player of the Month for May.
Harper had an incredible 2015 season. He led the league in several important stats and tied for the NL home run title with 42 homers. He became the youngest player ever to have at least 40 home runs and 120 walks in one season, a record previously held by Babe Ruth.
Harper's amazing season earned him many awards. He won the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player award. All 30 voters chose him, making him the youngest player to win MVP unanimously. He also won the Hank Aaron Award as the NL's best hitter. Even though Harper had a great season, the Nationals did not make the playoffs.
2016: Grand Slam and Walks Record
On April 14, 2016, Harper hit his first career grand slam, which was also his 100th career home run. Three days later, he hit a home run for a fourth straight game, a new personal record.
On Mother's Day, May 8, Harper was walked six times in a game, tying an MLB record. He reached base seven times in total without even swinging his bat. Over that weekend series, he was walked 13 times, setting a new MLB record for most walks in a series. He finished the season with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs. The Nationals won their division but lost in the playoffs.
2017: All-Star and Injury
On Opening Day 2017, Harper hit a solo home run, his fifth career homer in a season opener. He set an MLB record for runs scored in April with 32.
On May 16, Harper hit a home run at PNC Park, meaning he had now hit a home run in all 15 National League ballparks.
On May 29, Harper was hit by a pitch and charged the mound, starting a fight. He was suspended for three games. Harper was the top vote-getter for the 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He wore special cleats in honor of the late Marlins pitcher José Fernández.
On August 7, he hit his 150th home run. He was 24 years and 295 days old, the same age as superstar Mike Trout when he hit his 150th. On August 12, Harper injured his left knee and was placed on the disabled list. He returned in late September. The Nationals made the playoffs but lost in the Division Series.
2018: Free Agency
Harper started the 2018 season by drawing many walks. He was named a starting outfielder for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game and also won the Home Run Derby. He finished the season with a career-high 130 walks, 34 home runs, and 100 RBIs. After the 2018 season, he became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team.
Philadelphia Phillies (2019–present)
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The Nationals tried to sign Harper again, but he turned down their offers. On March 2, 2019, Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. This was the largest contract in MLB history at the time. He chose to wear number 3 with the Phillies, as his old number 34 was being considered for retirement in honor of the late Roy Halladay.
2019: First Season with Phillies
Harper's first hit as a Phillie was a huge 465-foot home run on March 30, 2019. On August 15, he hit a walk-off grand slam to win a game against the Chicago Cubs. On September 3, he reached 100 RBIs for the second year in a row. This was the first time a Phillies player had done this since 2011. However, the Phillies did not make the playoffs that year.
2020: Shortened Season
The 2020 MLB season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Harper suggested a longer season, but MLB eventually played 60 games. Harper had a strong season, leading the majors with 49 walks.
2021: Second NL MVP Award
In 2021, Harper had an outstanding season. He batted .309 with 35 home runs and 84 RBIs. He led the major leagues in slugging percentage (how many bases a player gets per at-bat). He also led the National League with 78 extra-base hits. He won his second career National League MVP award. He is only the second player in MLB history to win an MVP award with two different teams before turning 30.
2022: NLCS MVP and World Series
On May 12, 2022, Harper was diagnosed with a small tear in his right elbow ligament. He received a special injection and was not allowed to throw in the outfield for weeks. He played only as a designated hitter to avoid more injury. On June 25, he was hit by a pitch and fractured his left thumb, which required surgery. He was voted an All-Star but could not play due to his injury.
In August, Harper played some games with the Phillies' Triple-A team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, as he recovered. Fans in Allentown, Pennsylvania, were very excited to see him play. The Phillies played very well in the second half of the season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
In the 2022 playoffs, Harper hit a home run in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series. The Phillies won that series, giving Harper his first postseason series win. He played exceptionally well in the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, helping the Phillies win and advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2010.
On October 23, 2022, in Game 5 of the NLCS, Harper hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning. This hit won the game and sent the Phillies to the 2022 World Series against the Houston Astros. Harper was voted the 2022 NLCS MVP.
In his first World Series, Harper hit the first of five home runs for the Phillies in Game 3, tying a World Series record for most homers by one team in a game. The Phillies eventually lost the series to the Astros.
2023: Return from Surgery
On November 23, 2022, Harper had Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He was expected to return around the All-Star break in 2023. However, he came back earlier than expected in early May. In July, Harper started playing first baseman for the first time in his career and has played there ever since.
2024: Hitting Against Every Team
On July 13, 2024, Harper reached a special milestone. He hit a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics, meaning he had now hit a home run against every team in Major League Baseball.
2025: Career Milestones
On May 16, 2025, Harper recorded his 1,000th RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also became the fourteenth player in MLB history to reach 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 runs, and 1,000 walks before turning 33. On July 23, 2025, Harper hit his 350th career home run against the Boston Red Sox. He is the youngest player to reach this milestone at age 32.
International Play
Harper played for the United States U-18 baseball team in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, his team won a gold medal at the Pan American U-18 Baseball Championship in Venezuela.
On August 12, 2022, Harper announced he would join the United States national baseball team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. However, he could not play because he was recovering from his elbow surgery.
Harper hopes that MLB players will be allowed to play in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He said he would "love to put 'USA' on my chest and represent it at the highest level."
Career Highlights
- 2× NL Most Valuable Player (2015, 2021)
- 8× MLB All-Star selection (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024)
- National League Rookie of the Year (2012)
- 2× NL Hank Aaron Award (2015, 2021)
- 4× Silver Slugger Award (2015, 2021, 2023, 2024)
- NLCS MVP (2022)
- ESPN MLB Person of the Year (2015)
- All-Star Futures Game selection (2011)
- Golden Spikes Award (2010)
- SWAC Player of the Year (2010)
- Baseball America High School Player of the Year (2009)
Personal Life
Harper lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. His father, Ron, is an ironworker, and his mother is Sherilyn Harper. Bryce says he learned his strong work ethic from watching his father. His older brother, Bryan, also played baseball in the Washington Nationals organization. When he was young, Bryce also played with future MLB stars Joey Gallo and Kris Bryant.
Harper is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has spoken about how his faith guides him on and off the field.
Bryce Harper married his girlfriend, Kayla Varner, in December 2016. Their first child, a son, was born in August 2019. Their second child, a daughter, was born in November 2020. Their third child, a daughter, was born in April 2024. Harper recently announced they are expecting their fourth child, another boy.
In 2018, a baseball field in Washington, D.C., was renovated and named Bryce Harper Field in his honor.
Harper is a big fan of the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team. He also grew up a fan of the Dallas Cowboys football team but became a Philadelphia Eagles fan after moving to Philadelphia.
Endorsements and Media
Harper has appeared on ESPN's E:60 and in ESPN's The Magazine Body Issue. He has been on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon twice. In 2016, Harper signed a 10-year deal with the clothing company Under Armour, which was the biggest endorsement deal for a baseball player at the time.
Images for kids
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Harper with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021
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Harper playing the outfield for the Hagerstown Suns, May 2011
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Harper at Nationals Park, May 2012
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Harper approaching second base, May 2015
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Harper with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, March 2019
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Harper at the 2023 Pennzoil 400
See also
In Spanish: Bryce Harper para niños
