Career Timeline of Bryce Harper: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bryce Harper made an impact.

Bryce Harper is a prominent American professional baseball player currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies as a first baseman and right fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Prior to joining the Phillies, he played for the Washington Nationals. He is known for his hitting prowess and has garnered significant attention and accolades throughout his career in MLB.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1900: Top hitting season

In 2015, Bryce Harper's OPS+ was among the top-5 hitting season (since 1900) for all players under the age of 23.

1969: Joe Lahoud's feat

In 1969, Joe Lahoud accomplished being the youngest to hit three home runs in a single game

2006: Fernando Martinez AFL appearance

In 2006, Mets prospect Fernando Martinez appeared in the Arizona Fall League

2008: Played for United States U-18 baseball team

In 2008, Harper played for the United States U-18 baseball team.

2009: Represented USA at Pan American U-18 Baseball Championship

In 2009, Harper represented the United States at the Pan American U-18 Baseball Championship in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, where the team won gold.

2009: Phillies Pennant

In 2022, Bryce Harper helped lead the Phillies to their first pennant since 2009, winning the NLCS MVP in the process.

June 2010: MLB Draft Eligibility

Bryce Harper reclassified, making him eligible for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft in June 2010.

August 26, 2010: Introduction by the Nationals

On August 26, 2010, Bryce Harper was introduced by the Washington Nationals after agreeing to a five-year contract worth $9.9 million. He chose to wear No. 34 in honor of Mickey Mantle.

2010: NJCAA World Series Performance

During the Western district finals of the 2010 NJCAA World Series, Bryce Harper had an outstanding performance, including hitting for the cycle and multiple home runs in a doubleheader.

2010: College Season at Southern Nevada

For the 2010 college season, Bryce Harper, at 17, enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada, where he played as a catcher. He achieved remarkable stats, including 31 home runs and 98 RBIs.

2010: Arizona Fall League Championship

In 2010, Bryce Harper and the Scottsdale Scorpions won the Arizona Fall League Championship.

2010: Golden Spikes Award and MLB Draft

In 2010, Bryce Harper won the Golden Spikes Award while at the College of Southern Nevada. He was then selected as the first overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft by the Washington Nationals.

2010: Drafted by the Nationals

In 2010, The Washington Nationals drafted Bryce Harper as an outfielder.

2010: Phillies advance to NLCS

The Phillies advanced to the NLCS for the first time since 2010 in 2022.

April 2011: Contact Lenses and Improved Performance

In April 2011, after a slow start in the minor leagues, Bryce Harper got contact lenses, which dramatically improved his hitting performance.

2011: Ryan Howard's last 100 RBI season

In 2011 Ryan Howard was the last Philadelphia Phillies player to hit for 100 RBIs or more in a season before Harper in 2019.

2011: All-Star Futures Game and Injury

In 2011, Bryce Harper was selected for the All-Star Futures Game and later promoted to the Harrisburg Senators. On August 18, 2011, he suffered a hamstring injury that ended his season.

2011: Consecutive Home Runs

On July 27, 2017, Harper hit one of four consecutive home runs by Nationals hitters off Milwaukee Brewers starter Michael Blazek. This feat had not been accomplished in Major League Baseball since the 2011 season.

2011: Phillies last playoff appearance before Harper

The Phillies reached the playoffs in 2022, their first appearance since 2011.

April 27, 2012: Promotion to Major Leagues

On April 27, 2012, Bryce Harper was promoted to the major leagues by the Nationals after Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the disabled list.

April 28, 2012: MLB Debut

On April 28, 2012, Bryce Harper made his Major League Baseball debut with the Washington Nationals at the age of 19.

2012: Season Start with Syracuse Chiefs

Bryce Harper began the 2012 season with the Syracuse Chiefs of the Triple-A International League.

2012: Rookie of the Year

In 2012, Bryce Harper won the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

2012: First Postseason Home Run

In Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Bryce Harper hit his first postseason home run.

2013: Home Run Derby Participation and Knee Surgery

In 2013, Bryce Harper participated in the Home Run Derby, reaching the final round. He also underwent left knee surgery during the off-season. He passed Ken Griffey Jr. for most home runs by a player younger than 21.

2013: Opening Day Home Runs and All-Star Selection

On Opening Day of the 2013 season, Bryce Harper hit two home runs, becoming the youngest major league player to achieve this feat. He was also voted as a starter for the MLB All-Star Game.

2014: Withdrawal from Japan All-Star Series

After the 2014 season, Bryce Harper withdrew from participating in the 2014 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series.

2014: Home Runs off Strickland in NLDS

In the 2014 National League Division Series, Harper hit two home runs off of Hunter Strickland.

April 18, 2015: Longest Home Run

On April 18, 2015, Bryce Harper hit the longest home run of his MLB career, a 461-foot drive against the Philadelphia Phillies.

2015: MVP and Awards

Bryce Harper won the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player award, along with the Hank Aaron Award and Baseball America's player of the year award. ESPN also named him its 2015 MLB Person of the Year.

2015: Historic Hitting Season

In 2015, Bryce Harper had a historic hitting season, ranking among the top 5 for players under 23 since 1900. He led the majors in WAR and tied for the NL home run title. Harper also became the youngest player with at least 40 home runs and 120 walks in one season.

2015: NL MVP and Home Run Leader

In 2015, Bryce Harper was named the National League Most Valuable Player and tied for the NL lead in home runs.

April 14, 2016: First Career Grand Slam and 100th Home Run

On April 14, 2016, Bryce Harper hit his first career grand slam for his 100th career home run in a game against the Atlanta Braves.

2016: Appearance on The Tonight Show and Under Armour deal

In 2016, Bryce Harper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to play Catch Phrase. Also in 2016, Harper signed a 10-year extension with Under Armour.

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April 3, 2017: Home Run on Opening Day

On April 3, 2017, during Opening Day, Harper hit a solo home run, struck out, and walked against the Miami Marlins. This was his fifth career home run in a season opener, marking the most by a player younger than 25.

2017: Walk-off home run against Phillies

In 2017, Harper hit a walk-off home run versus the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time in the season, having previously done it on April 16th.

2017: First Postseason Series Since 2017

In Harper's first postseason series since 2017, he hit a home run in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series vs St. Louis, contributing to an eventual 2-0 victory.

2018: Phillies Contract

During the 2018-19 offseason, Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

2018: Avoided arbitration and walk-off home run

In 2018, Harper and the Nationals avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $21.625-million contract.

2018: All-Star Game and Career-High Season

In 2018, Harper was named a starting outfielder for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, where he also won the Home Run Derby. He finished the season with a career-high 130 walks and 100 RBIs, along with 34 home runs and a .249 batting average. After the 2018 season, he became a free agent.

2018: Bryce Harper Field Renovation

In 2018, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation renovated a baseball field in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and named it Bryce Harper Field.

March 2, 2019: Signed with the Philadelphia Phillies

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 and at his first press conference, he misspoke, saying, "We want to bring a title back to D.C."

March 30, 2019: First Hit as a Phillie

On March 30, 2019, Harper's first hit as a member of the Phillies was a 465-foot home run off Jesse Biddle of the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.

August 15, 2019: Walk-off Grand Slam

On August 15, 2019, Harper hit a walk-off grand slam against the Chicago Cubs.

September 3, 2019: 100th RBI of the Season

On September 3, 2019, Harper batted his 100th RBI of the season, marking his second consecutive year with 100 or more RBIs. He was the first Philadelphia Phillies player since Ryan Howard in 2011 to reach this milestone.

2019: Appearance on The Tonight Show and MLB The Show 19 Cover

In 2019, Bryce Harper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to play the video game MLB The Show 19, as Harper was the cover athlete for the game.

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2021: Second NL MVP Award

In 2021, Bryce Harper won his second NL MVP award with the Philadelphia Phillies.

2021: Second National League MVP Award

In 2021, Harper had a standout season, batting .309/.429/.615 with 35 home runs and 84 RBIs. His slugging percentage led the major leagues, and he also led the National League with 78 extra-base hits and tied for the major league lead with 42 doubles. He won his second career National League MVP award.

August 12, 2022: Announcement of World Baseball Classic Participation

On August 12, 2022, Harper announced that he would join the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

October 23, 2022: NLCS Game-Winning Home Run and MVP

On October 23, 2022, during Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, Harper hit a go-ahead two-run home run, sending the Phillies to the 2022 World Series. He was voted the 2022 NLCS MVP.

2022: Regular Season Performance

In the 2022 regular season, Harper batted .286/.364/.514, playing primarily as a designated hitter (90 games) and occasionally in right field (8 games).

2023: Unable to Play in World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Harper was unable to play in the World Baseball Classic due to rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in the offseason.

July 13, 2024: Homer Against Every Team

On July 13, 2024, Harper achieved the milestone of homering against every team in Major League Baseball, hitting a solo home run on a pitch by Austin Adams of the Oakland Athletics.

2028: Hope to Participate in 2028 Summer Olympics

Harper expressed his hope that MLB players would be allowed to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles after it was announced in 2023 that baseball would return as a competition sport.