Bryce Harper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bryce Harper
Harper with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 3
First baseman / Right fielder
Born: (1992-10-16) October 16, 1992 (age 32) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Bats: Left Throws: Right
debut
April 28, 2012, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics (through 2024 season)
Batting average	.281
Hits	1,670
Home runs	336
Runs batted in	976
Stolen bases	140
Teams
Washington Nationals (2012–2018) Philadelphia Phillies (2019–present)
Career highlights and awards
8× All-Star (2012, 2013, 2015–2018, 2022, 2024) 2× NL MVP (2015, 2021) All-MLB First Team (2021) All-MLB Second Team (2024) NL Rookie of the Year (2012) NLCS MVP (2022) 4× Silver Slugger Award (2015, 2021, 2023, 2024) 2× NL Hank Aaron Award (2015, 2021) NL home run leader (2015) Golden Spikes Award (2010)

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 considered one of the most exciting young players before he was even drafted. People called him a "five-tool player" because he was good at hitting for power, hitting for average, running, throwing, and fielding. He left high school early to attend the College of Southern Nevada. There, he won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award, given to the best amateur baseball player in the U.S.

The Nationals picked Harper as the first overall player in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut on April 28, 2012, when he was just 19 years old. Later that year, he was chosen for the All-Star Game. This made him the youngest player in a position (not a pitcher) to ever play in an All-Star Game.

In 2012, Harper won the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award. In 2015, he tied for the NL lead in home runs. He was also named the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2015. He was only 23, making him the youngest MLB player to win this award by a unanimous vote.

After the 2018 season, Harper became a free agent. He signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies. At the time, this was the biggest contract in North American sports history. 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 key in helping them win their first pennant since 2009, and he was named the NLCS MVP (Most Valuable Player of the National League Championship Series).

Early Life and College Baseball

Bryce Harper grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He went to Las Vegas High School. In May 2009, Sports Illustrated magazine featured him on its cover. They called him "The Chosen One," comparing him to basketball star LeBron James. That same spring, he won the Baseball America high school player of the year award.

To become eligible for the MLB draft sooner, Harper earned his GED in October 2009. This allowed him to join college baseball earlier.

For the 2010 college season, 17-year-old Harper played for 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 battery (pitcher and catcher). College baseball in their conference used wooden bats, just like MLB, which helped Harper prepare for professional play.

In 66 games, he hit 31 home runs and had 98 RBIs. He had a batting average of .443. His 31 home runs broke the school record of 12. He was named the 2010 SWAC Player of the Year. Harper also won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award, which goes to the best amateur baseball player in the nation.

Professional Baseball Career

Harper playing the outfield for the Hagerstown Suns, May 2011

Draft and Minor Leagues

The Washington Nationals picked Harper as the first overall player in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. Even though he mostly played catcher before, the Nationals drafted him as an outfielder. This was to help him have a longer career and get to MLB faster.

Harper signed a five-year contract with the Nationals for $9.9 million. This included a $6.25 million signing bonus. He chose to wear No. 34 because he admired baseball legend Mickey Mantle.

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 .343 and helped the Scottsdale Scorpions win the 2010 AFL Championship.

Harper started his minor league career with the Hagerstown Suns in 2011. After a slow start, he got contact lenses. After that, he hit much better, with seven home runs and 23 RBIs in 20 games. He was later promoted to the Harrisburg Senators (Double-A) and then the Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A) in 2012.

Washington Nationals (2012–2018)

2012 Season: NL Rookie of the Year

Harper at Nationals Park, May 2012

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, he hit his first career MLB home run. He was the youngest player to hit a homer in the major leagues since 1998. He was named National League Rookie of the Month for May.

Harper was chosen for the All-Star Game. This made him the youngest position player ever to be on an All-Star roster. He finished his first season with 22 home runs and 98 runs scored. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year.

2013 Season

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 a starter for the MLB All-Star Game again.

He also took part in the Home Run Derby. He made it to the final round, becoming the youngest player to do so. Harper hit his 39th career home run on August 6, passing Ken Griffey Jr. for most home runs by a player younger than 21.

2014 Season

In April 2014, Harper injured his left thumb while sliding into third base. He needed surgery to fix it. He returned to play in June. In 100 games that season, he batted .273 with 13 home runs.

2015 Season: First NL MVP

Harper approaching second base, May 2015

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 won the Player of the Month Award for May.

Harper had an amazing 2015 season. He led the majors in a stat called WAR (Wins Above Replacement). He also tied for the NL home run title with 42 homers. He became the youngest player ever with at least 40 home runs and 120 walks in one season.

His great season led to many awards. He won the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player award by a unanimous vote. At 23, he was the youngest player to win an MVP award unanimously. He also won the Hank Aaron Award as the NL's best hitter.

2016 Season

On April 14, 2016, Harper hit his first career grand slam. This was also his 100th career home run. He was named National League Player of the Week.

On May 8, Harper was walked six times in a game, tying an MLB record. He reached base seven times in total that day. Over a four-game series, he was walked 13 times, setting a new MLB record for walks in a series. He finished the season with a .243 batting average, 24 home runs, and 86 RBIs.

2017 Season

On Opening Day, April 3, 2017, Harper hit a solo home run. This was his fifth career home run in a season opener, the most by a player younger than 25. He set an MLB record for runs scored in April with 32.

On May 16, Harper hit a home run at PNC Park. This meant he had hit a home run in all 15 National League ballparks in his career.

On May 29, Harper was hit by a pitch. He then charged the mound, and a fight broke out. Both Harper and the pitcher were ejected. Harper was later suspended for three games.

Harper was the top vote-getter for the 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He was the starting right fielder for the National League All-Stars. On August 12, Harper injured his left knee. He returned to play in late September.

2018 Season

Harper started the 2018 season by getting more walks than in previous years. He was named a starting outfielder for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. He also won the Home Run Derby that year. 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.

Philadelphia Phillies (2019–present)

Harper with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, March 2019

On March 2, 2019, Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. This was the largest MLB contract at the time. He chose to wear No. 3 with the Phillies.

2019 Season

Harper's first hit as a Phillie was a long home run on March 30, 2019. On August 15, 2019, Harper hit a walk-off grand slam. On September 3, 2019, he reached 100 RBIs for the second year in a row.

2020 Season

The 2020 MLB season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was only 60 games long. Harper hit .268 with 13 home runs and led the majors with 49 walks.

2021 Season: Second NL MVP

In 2021, Harper had a fantastic season. He batted .309 with 35 home runs and 84 RBIs. He led the major leagues in slugging percentage. 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 Season: NLCS MVP and First World Series Appearance

In May 2022, Harper was diagnosed with a small tear in his right elbow ligament. He could not throw in the outfield for several weeks and played only as a designated hitter. On June 25, he broke his left thumb after being hit by a pitch. He had surgery in July.

Harper returned to play in August. He helped the Phillies make the playoffs for the first time since 2011. In the playoffs, he hit a home run in the Wild Card Series. He batted very well in the NLDS, helping the Phillies win and advance to the NLCS.

On October 23, 2022, in Game 5 of the NLCS, Harper hit a two-run home run that put the Phillies ahead. This hit sent the Phillies to the 2022 World Series! Harper was voted the 2022 NLCS MVP.

In his first World Series, Harper played well, hitting a home run in Game 3. The Phillies tied a World Series record for most home runs from one team in a single game. However, the Phillies lost the series to the Houston Astros.

2023 Season

In November 2022, Harper had Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He was expected to return around the All-Star break. However, he came back earlier, in early May. In July, Harper started playing first baseman for the first time in his career. He has played first base ever since.

2024 Season

On July 13, 2024, Harper hit a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics. This meant he had now hit a home run against every team in Major League Baseball!

International Baseball

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 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 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 Accomplishments

Personal Life

Bryce 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 is important to him.

Harper and his girlfriend Kayla Varner got engaged in 2014. They were married in December 2016 at the San Diego California Temple. Their first child, a son, was born in August 2019. Their second child, a daughter, was born in November 2020. Their third child, daughter Kamryn, was born in April 2024.

In 2018, a baseball field in Washington, D.C., was renovated and named Bryce Harper Field in his honor.

Harper is a fan of the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team. He also grew up a fan of the Dallas Cowboys football team, but he became a Philadelphia Eagles fan after moving to Philadelphia.

Endorsements and Other Media

Harper has been featured on ESPN's E:60. He has also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon twice. In 2016, Harper signed a 10-year deal with the clothing company Under Armour. At the time, this was the biggest endorsement deal ever for a baseball player.

See also

In Spanish: Bryce Harper para niños