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 professional baseball player currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies as a first baseman and right fielder in MLB. He formerly played for the Washington Nationals. He is known for his hitting prowess and has been a prominent figure in Major League Baseball since his debut.

Sections (4)

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

1997: Record Set in April

In 2017, Harper set the MLB record for runs scored in the month of April with 32, surpassing Larry Walker's 29, which he achieved in 1997.

2008: United States U-18 Baseball Team

In 2008, Harper played for the United States U-18 baseball team before being drafted by the Nationals.

October 2009: Earned GED

In October 2009, Bryce Harper earned his GED in his junior year, reclassifying to be eligible earlier for the MLB draft.

2009: 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.

June 2010: MLB Draft Eligibility

Bryce Harper became eligible for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft in June 2010.

August 26, 2010: Signed with Nationals

On August 26, 2010, Bryce Harper signed a five-year contract worth $9.9 million with the Washington Nationals. Harper chose to wear No. 34.

2010: NJCAA World Series Performance

During the 2010 Western district finals of the NJCAA World Series, Bryce Harper had exceptional performances, including going 6-for-7 with five RBIs and hitting for the cycle in one game, and hitting four home runs in another game.

2010: Drafted by Washington Nationals

In 2010, Bryce Harper was drafted first overall by the Washington Nationals. He was drafted as an outfielder to accelerate his development.

2010: Won Golden Spikes Award, Drafted First Overall

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

2010: Phillies Advance to NLCS

In 2022, the Phillies advancing to the NLCS marked the first time since 2010.

2010: AFL Championship

On November 20, Bryce Harper and the Scottsdale Scorpions won the 2010 Arizona Fall League (AFL) Championship.

2011: All-Star Futures Game and Hamstring Injury

In 2011, Bryce Harper was selected for the All-Star Futures Game and was promoted to the Harrisburg Senators. On August 18, 2011, he injured his hamstring, ending his season.

2011: Ryan Howard's Season Achievement

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

2011: Phillies Playoff Appearance

In August, Harper went to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs as part of his rehab for his thumb fracture in June. In 2022 the Phillies surged in the second half to reach the playoffs, their first appearance since 2011.

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 hadn't occurred in Major League Baseball since the 2011 season.

April 27, 2012: Promotion to Major Leagues

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

April 28, 2012: MLB Debut

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

2012: Season with Syracuse Chiefs

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

2012: First Postseason Home Run

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

2013: Opening Day Home Runs, All-Star Selection

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

2013: Home Run Derby Participation and Knee Surgery

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

2014: Home Runs off Strickland

During the 2014 National League Division Series, Harper hit two home runs off of Hunter Strickland. The Giants ultimately won the series.

April 18, 2015: Longest Home Run

On April 18, 2015, Bryce Harper hit the longest home run of his MLB career, measured at 461 feet.

2015: Exceptional Hitting Season

Bryce Harper's 2015 season was a top-5 hitting season for players under 23 since 1900. Harper led the majors in WAR and tied for the NL home run title with 42 in 2015.

2015: Tied for NL Home Run Lead, MVP Award

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

April 14, 2016: First Grand Slam

On April 14, 2016, Bryce Harper hit his first career grand slam for his 100th career home run.

2016: Harper appears on The Tonight Show and signs deal with Under Armour

In 2016, Bryce Harper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to play Catch Phrase and signed a 10-year extension with Under Armour, which was the largest endorsement deal in history for a baseball player at the time.

2016: Harper's Season Statistics

In 2016, Harper played 147 games, finishing with a .243 batting average, 24 home runs, and 86 RBIs. He also had 108 walks, with 20 being intentional, the most in the MLB.

2016: Nationals' Season and Playoff Outcome

In 2016, the Washington Nationals finished the season with a 95–67 record, clinching the NL East division. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series (NLDS).

April 3, 2017: Harper's Opening Day Performance

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, the most by a player younger than 25.

2017: Walk-off Home Run

In 2017, Harper hit a walk-off home run versus the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time in the season, after doing it on April 16 as well.

2017: All-Star Game Selection and Performance

In 2017, Harper was the top overall vote-getter for the National League to start in the MLB All-Star Game, receiving the most votes overall. As the starting right fielder, he went 1-for-1 with a walk and made a diving catch. He honored José Fernández by wearing special cleats.

2017: 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 in an eventual 2–0 victory.

2018: Signed with Phillies

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

2018: All-Star Game and Season Statistics

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

2018: Bryce Harper Field dedicated in Washington, D.C.

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

2018: Contract Agreement

On May 13, 2018, Harper and the Nationals avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $21.625-million contract.

March 2, 2019: Signing with the Philadelphia Phillies

On March 2, 2019, Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, setting a record for the largest MLB contract at the time. He chose to wear No. 3 and at his first press conference he misspoke about bringing 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.

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 in his 100th RBI of the season, marking his second consecutive year with 100 or more RBIs. He was the first Phillies player since Ryan Howard in 2011 to achieve this.

2019: Harper appears on The Tonight Show and on the cover of MLB The Show 19

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

August 12, 2022: World Baseball Classic Announcement

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: Game-Winning Home Run and NLCS MVP

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

2022: Regular Season Performance

During the 2022 regular season, Harper batted .286/.364/.514, had 63 runs, 18 home runs, 65 RBIs, 7 sacrifice flies, and 9 intentional walks. He played 90 games at DH and eight games in right field.

2023: Hopes for 2028 Olympics Participation

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

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 MLB Team

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

May 16, 2025: 1,000th RBI Milestone

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.

2028: Potential Olympics Participation

In 2028, the Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, and Harper expressed his desire to represent the USA if MLB players are allowed to participate.