Bryce Harper's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Bryce Harper. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Bryce Harper is a prominent American professional baseball player, currently a first baseman and right fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB. Previously, he played for the Washington Nationals. He is known for his hitting ability and on-field presence.

Sections (4)

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

1900: Top-5 Hitting Season

In 2015, Bryce Harper's hitting season was in the top-5 hitting seasons since 1900 for players under the age of 23.

1964: Teenager stealing home plate

In 1964, a teenager stole home plate, being the last teenager to achieve this feat until Bryce Harper did it in 2012.

1969: Youngest player with three home runs in a game

In 1969, Joe Lahoud was the youngest player to accomplish three home runs in a single game before Bryce Harper repeated the feat in 2015.

1997: Runs scored in April

In 1997, Larry Walker scored 29 runs in the month of April.

1998: Youngest player to homer

In 1998, Adrian Beltre was the youngest player to homer in the major leagues before Bryce Harper matched the achievement in 2012.

2006: Youngest Player in AFL

In 2006, Mets prospect Fernando Martinez became the youngest player in the history of the Arizona Fall League, just two days younger than when Bryce Harper appeared in the league.

2009: Pan American U-18 Baseball Championship

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

2010: College of Southern Nevada Enrollment

For the 2010 college season, Bryce Harper enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada where he played as a catcher, broke the school's home run record, and was named the 2010 SWAC Player of the Year.

2010: NJCAA World Series Performance

In 2010 during the Western district finals of the NJCAA World Series, Harper had a standout performance including going 6-for-7 with five RBIs and hitting for the cycle, followed by another game with four home runs.

2010: Arizona Fall League Championship

In 2010, Bryce Harper participated in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) as a member of the Scottsdale Scorpions taxi-squad and helped the team win the 2010 AFL Championship.

2010: Ejection from NJCAA World Series Game

In 2010, Bryce Harper was ejected from a National Junior College World Series game for disputing a called third strike, resulting in a two-game suspension that ended his amateur career. He also won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award.

2010: Golden Spikes Award

In 2010, Bryce Harper won the Golden Spikes Award while attending the College of Southern Nevada, marking a significant achievement in his amateur career.

April 2011: Vision Correction and Improved Performance

In April 2011, after a slow start in the minor leagues, Bryce Harper visited an optometrist and received contact lenses, leading to a significant improvement in his performance, including hitting .480 in his first 20 games.

2011: Ryan Howard's 100 RBIs

In 2011, Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies hit for 100 RBIs or more in a season.

2011: Phillies reached the playoffs

In August 2022, Bryce Harper was designated to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Allentown, as a final step in his rehabilitation. The Phillies surged in the second half to reach the playoffs, their first appearance since 2011.

2011: Consecutive Home Runs

On July 27, 2017, Bryce Harper hit one of four consecutive home runs by Nationals hitters; this was the first time that the feat had been accomplished in Major League Baseball since the 2011 season.

2012: Rookie of the Year Award

In 2012, Harper won the National League Rookie of the Year Award, recognizing his outstanding performance in his debut season.

2013: Home Run Derby Participant

In 2013, Bryce Harper participated in the Home Run Derby, advancing to the final round and becoming the second-youngest player to participate in the event. He also surpassed Ken Griffey Jr. for most home runs by a player younger than 21.

April 18, 2015: Longest Home Run

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

2015: Historic Hitting Season

In 2015, Bryce Harper had a historic hitting season, with his OPS+ being a top-5 hitting season for players under 23 since 1900. He led the majors in WAR and tied for the NL home run title with 42. Harper also became the youngest player with at least 40 home runs and 120 walks in one season.

2015: Awards and Honors

In 2015, Bryce Harper received all 30 first-place votes for the National League Most Valuable Player, becoming the youngest player to unanimously win the award. He also won the Hank Aaron Award and was named Baseball America's Player of the Year and ESPN's MLB Person of the Year.

2015: NL MVP Award

In 2015, Bryce Harper was named the National League Most Valuable Player, earning the award unanimously from the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

April 14, 2016: First Career Grand Slam

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

2016: MLB Record for Walks and Suspension

In 2016, Bryce Harper tied the MLB record for most walks in a game on Mother's Day, May 8. He was later ejected for yelling at an umpire, resulting in a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine, which he initially appealed before serving. In 147 games of 2016, Harper finished with a .243 batting average, 24 home runs, and 86 RBI.

2016: Nationals in the NLDS

In 2016, the Nationals finished the season with a 95–67 record, clinching the NL East division, but lost to the Dodgers in the 2016 NLDS.

April 3, 2017: Home Run on Opening Day

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

2017: All-Star Game Selection and Performance

In 2017, Bryce Harper was the top overall vote-getter for the National League to start in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and received the most votes of any one player overall. As the starting right fielder for the National League All-Stars, he went 1-for-1 with a walk and made a diving catch to rob American League catcher Salvador Pérez of a base hit. He wore cleats for the All-Star Game in honor of José Fernández.

2018: All-Star Game Selection, Home Run Derby Win, and Free Agency

Bryce Harper began the 2018 season by drawing more walks than in previous years. He was named a starting outfielder for the 2018 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 2018 season.

September 3, 2019: 100th RBI of the Season

On September 3, 2019, Bryce Harper batted in his 100th RBI of the season for the second consecutive year and was the first Philadelphia Phillies player since Ryan Howard in 2011 to hit for 100 RBIs or more in a season.

2021: Second Career National League MVP Award

In 2021, Bryce Harper batted .309/.429/.615 with 35 home runs and 84 RBIs in 141 games. His slugging percentage led the major leagues. 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.

2021: Second NL MVP Award

In 2021, Bryce Harper won his second National League MVP award while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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

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

July 13, 2024: Homer Against Every MLB Team

On July 13, 2024, Bryce Harper reached 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.

May 16, 2025: 1,000th RBI

On May 16, 2025, Bryce 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.