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 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

1900: Top-5 Hitting Season

In 2015, Measured by OPS+, which adjusts on-base plus slugging for park factors and normalizes it against league averages, Harper's season was a top-5 hitting season since 1900 for all players under the age of 23.

1964: Teenager Steals Home Plate

Bryce Harper became the first teenager to steal home plate since 1964.

1969: Joe Lahoud Achievement

In 2015, Bryce Harper became the youngest player to hit three home runs in a single game since Joe Lahoud achieved the same feat in 1969.

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.

1998: Youngest Player to Homer

Bryce Harper was the youngest player to homer in the major leagues since Adrián Beltré did in 1998.

2009: Phillies Pennant

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

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.

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: Enrolled at College of Southern Nevada

For the 2010 college season, Bryce Harper, then 17, enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada, where he played as a catcher. He was named the 2010 SWAC Player of the Year and broke the school's home run record.

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: Ejection from National Junior College World Series game

On June 2, 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. Later in 2010, Harper won the Golden Spikes Award.

2010: AFL Championship

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

April 2011: Received Contact Lenses

In April 2011, Bryce Harper visited an optometrist who prescribed him contact lenses. Following this, Harper's performance significantly improved.

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.

2012: Rookie of the Year Award

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

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.

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: Awards for Historic Season

Bryce Harper received numerous awards for his historic 2015 season, including the National League Most Valuable Player award, the Hank Aaron Award, and being named Baseball America's Player of the Year. ESPN also chose him as its 2015 MLB Person of the Year.

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.

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: 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.

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.

2021: Second NL MVP Award

Bryce Harper won his second NL MVP award in 2021 with the Phillies.

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.

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.