Bryce Harper

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Bryce Harper

Washington Nationals – No. 34
Outfielder
Born: (1992-10-16) October 16, 1992 (age 19)
Las Vegas, Nevada
Bats: Left Throws: Right 
MLB debut
April 28, 2012 for the Washington Nationals
Career statistics
(through May 27, 2012)
Batting average     .287
Home runs     4
Runs batted in     11
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Bryce Aron Max Harper[1] (born October 16, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. Harper was selected by the Nationals with the first overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. He stands at 6 feet 3 inches and weighs 225 lbs.[2][3]

Harper won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award, awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player.[4] Going into the 2012 season, baseball prospect-watchers, including Baseball America, MLB.com, and Baseball Prospectus routinely ranked Harper as a top #3 prospect. He made his MLB debut with the Nationals on April 28, 2012.

Contents

[edit] College career

Harper earned his General Educational Development after his sophomore year at Las Vegas High School in December 2009, making him eligible for the June 2010 amateur draft in order to begin his professional baseball career earlier.[5][6] For the 2010 college season, 17-year-old Harper enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada of the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) in National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). An advantage for Harper in his eventual transition to his professional career was that the SWAC, like MLB, uses wooden bats in conference play. In 66 games, he hit 31 home runs, 98 RBI, hitting .443/.526/.987 (AVG/OBP/SLG).[7] His 31 home runs shattered the school's previous record of 12. He was named the 2010 SWAC Player of the Year.[8] The next day, in a doubleheader, he went 2-for-5 with a three-run double in the first game, and in the second game went 6-for-6 with 4 home runs, a triple, and a double.[9]

On June 2, 2010, Harper was ejected from a National Junior College World Series game by home plate umpire Don Gilmore after a called third strike. Harper drew a line in the dirt with his bat as he left the plate, presumably to show where he thought the pitch was. It was Harper's second ejection of the year, and resulted in a two-game suspension.[10] The suspension ended his amateur career, as Southern Nevada lost the game from which Harper was ejected and lost their next game with Harper suspended, which eliminated them from the tournament.[11]

Harper won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award.[4] In May 2012, the book The Last Natural: Bryce Harper's Big Gamble in Sin City and the Greatest Amateur Season Ever by sportswriter Rob Miech was published by the Thomas Dunne Books imprint at St. Martin's Press. The book chronicles Harper's historic college season and culminates in his being the first player selected in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft and signing a multimillion-dollar contract just before the signing deadline. Steve Rushin endorsed the book as "a fascinating eyewitness account, a baseball version of the Beatles in Hamburg circa 1961, just before the klieg lights get switched on."[12]

[edit] Professional career

Harper playing for the Hagerstown Suns, Single-A affiliates of the Nationals, in 2011.

Harper was drafted #1 overall by the Washington Nationals,[13] becoming the Nationals second consecutive number one overall pick of the Major League Baseball Draft, following Stephen Strasburg.[14] Although Harper had predominantly played catcher, the Nationals drafted him as an outfielder to extend his career and to accelerate his player development, so that he could debut in MLB earlier. He has been considered one of the most highly touted prospects in Major League Baseball History. [13]

Harper signed a 7-year contract worth $18.9 million,[15] and on August 26, 2010, Harper was introduced by the Nationals. Harper said he chose to wear #34 because "I always loved Mickey Mantle, three and four equals seven."[16]

After batting .419 with a .407 OBP (and leading his team in hits, homers, RBI and walks) in the Nationals' fall instructional league, Harper was selected to participate in the Arizona Fall League as a member of the Scottsdale Scorpions taxi-squad,[17] the second-youngest player in the history of the league (two days older than when Mets' prospect Fernando Martínez appeared in the league in 2006).[18] He batted .343 and slugged .729.[19] On November 20, Harper and the Scottsdale Scorpions won the 2010 Arizona Fall League Championship.

After batting .399 in spring training, the Nationals optioned Harper to the Hagerstown Suns of the Class-A South Atlantic League to begin his minor league career.[20] In April 2011, after a slow start in the minor leagues, Harper visited optometrist Dr. Keith Smithson who reportedly told him, "I don't know how you ever hit before. You have some of the worst eyes I've ever seen." In his first 20 games after receiving contact lenses, Harper hit .480, collecting 7 home runs, 40 doubles and 23 RBI.[21]

Harper was selected to represent the United States in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game during the 2011 All Star Game weekend. He was promoted to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators on July 4. Harper went 4 for 4 in his AA debut with two singles, a double, triple and a walk.[22]

On August 18, 2011, Harper injured his hamstring while running from first to third base on an extra base hit. The injury was severe enough that he had to be carried off the field by his coaches. Harper was placed on the 7-day disabled list, and it was reported that the injury had ended Harper's season.[23]

During 2012 spring training, Harper was optioned to AAA Syracuse, where he started the season, playing centerfield.[24] After a strong start, Harper was called up to the Nationals on April 27, 2012, as Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the DL. He made his MLB debut with the Nationals the next day against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Harper grounded out to the pitcher (Chad Billingsley) in his first career Major League at bat. He recorded his first Major League hit with a double in his third at-bat against Billingsley and got his first RBI on a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth against Javy Guerra.[25]

On May 6, 2012 Harper was hit in the lower back by Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels in the first inning on the first pitch of the at bat. [26] Harper would steal home plate that same inning, but the Nationals lost the game 9-3. Hamels subsequently admitted to hitting him intentionally and was suspended by MLB for 5 games.

On May 14, 2012, Harper hit his first Major League home run, a solo blast off of San Diego Padres pitcher Tim Stauffer.[27] He was the youngest player to homer in the major leagues since Adrian Beltre in 1998.[28]

[edit] Career accomplishments

 This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2012)
Year Award / Honor
2010 AFL Champion
2010 MLB Draft: Number 1 Overall Pick by the Washington Nationals
2010 Golden Spikes Award
2010 SWAC Player of the Year.[7]
2009 Baseball America High School Player of the Year
2009 Babe Ruth Award (Longest HR in International Power Showcase HS Home Run Derby (Tropicana Field Record: 502 feet)
2008 First Team All Sunrise Division Catcher
2008 First Team All State Catcher
2008 Player of the Year North-East Division
2008 Batting Average Leader for the state of Nevada
2008 All World Team
2008 All Area Code Team
2007 TBS 14u All American Team
2007 TBS 14u Player of the Year
2006 TBS 13u All American Team
2005 TBS 12u All American Team
2005 NYBB All American Team

[edit] Personal life

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Harper's older brother, Bryan, was a left-handed pitcher for College of Southern Nevada with Bryce. Bryan now plays for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, back to back winners of the 2010 and 2011 College World Series. Bryan was also selected in the 2010 MLB Draft, by the Chicago Cubs.[29][30] He did not sign and then was drafted in the 2011 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals.

Harper was featured in an episode of ESPN E:60[31] and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in May 2009.[32]

Bryce Harper is also a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[33]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Picker, David (12/8/09). "Prodigy Harper Handles the Pressure". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/e60/news/story?id=4388790. Retrieved 29 Jan 2010. 
  2. ^ Simpson, Allan (October 12, 2005). "2005 Baseball for the Ages". Baseball America. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1156215/1/index.htm. Retrieved June 15, 2009. 
  3. ^ Kerr, Byron (August 11, 2010). [http=May 22, 2010 "Harper is "begging to play""]. MASN Sports. http=May 22, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2010. [dead link]
  4. ^ a b "Harper wins Golden Spikes Award". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. July 13, 2010. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/07/13/harper.golden.spikes.ap/index.html?eref=sihp. Retrieved July 13, 2010. [dead link]
  5. ^ Youmans, Matt (June 14, 2009). "Harper ready to give college try". Las Vegas Review-Journal. http://www.lvrj.com/sports/48018907.html. Retrieved June 15, 2009. 
  6. ^ Glassey, Conor (December 3, 2009). "Harper Passes GED". Baseball America. http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1916. Retrieved December 3, 2009. 
  7. ^ a b Oliver, Brian (June 7, 2010). "With the first pick". Nationals Farm Authority. http://natsfarm.com/2010/06/07/with-the-first-pick. Retrieved June 8, 2010. 
  8. ^ D.J. Short (May 22, 2010). "Bryce Harper hits for the cycle". http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/bryce-harper-hits-for-the-cycle.html.php. Retrieved May 23, 2010. [dead link]
  9. ^ Youmans, Matt (May 23, 2010). "Harper lifts CSN to Junior College World Series: Four HRs, 10 RBI power CSN to title". Las Vegas Review-Journal. http://www.lvrj.com/sports/harper-lifts-csn-to-junior-college-world-series-94686519.html. Retrieved May 23, 2010. 
  10. ^ "Bryce Harper ejected, and suspended, perhaps ending amateur career - Daily Pitch: MLB News, Standings, Schedules & More - USATODAY.com". Content.usatoday.com. June 3, 2010. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/06/bryce-harper-ejected-and-suspended-perhaps-ending-amateur-career/1. 
  11. ^ Crasnick, Jerry (June 4, 2010). "Yeah, he's that good". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2010/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=5248377. Retrieved June 5, 2010. 
  12. ^ Miech, Rob. The Last Natural http://us.macmillan.com/thelastnatural/RobMiech
  13. ^ a b Kilgore, Adam (June 8, 2010). "Washington Nationals select Bryce Harper with first pick in MLB draft". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/07/AR2010060704529.html. Retrieved June 8, 2010. 
  14. ^ Antonen, Mel (June 8, 2010). "Nationals take 17-year-old Bryce Harper with top pick". Usatoday.Com. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/nationals/2010-06-08-nationals-harper-first-pick_N.htm. Retrieved June 8, 2010. 
  15. ^ "Nationals sign Bryce Harper". ESPN.com. August 16, 2010. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5468993. Retrieved August 16, 2010. 
  16. ^ Wang, Gene (2010-08-26). "Bryce Harper introduced at pregame news conference". Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/08/bryce_harper_introduced_at_pre.html. Retrieved 2010-08-26. 
  17. ^ Ladson, Bill (October 13, 2010). "Nats' Harper to play in Arizona Fall League". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101013&content_id=15613880. Retrieved October 19, 2010. 
  18. ^ Kilgore, Adam (October 14, 2010). "No. 1 overall pick Harper is ahead of his time for Nats". Washington Post. 
  19. ^ >"A Look At Bryce Harper's Final AFL Stats". USA Future Watch. November 18, 2010. 
  20. ^ Ladson, Bill. "After win, Nats option Harper to Class A". mlb.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110312&content_id=16923142&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was. Retrieved 3/20/1011. 
  21. ^ "Bryce Harper crushing ball after eye exam". CBS News. May 13, 2011. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31751_162-20062723-10391697.html. Retrieved May 13, 2011. 
  22. ^ "Bryce Harper promoted to Double-A". Associated Press. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6737300. Retrieved July 5, 2011. 
  23. ^ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110819&content_id=23433882&notebook_id=23433888&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was
  24. ^ http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=harper002bry
  25. ^ Nats can't hold down LA in Harper's solid debut
  26. ^ http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2012/05/cole-hamels-bryce-harper-hit-by-pitch/1
  27. ^ Harper hits first HR, Nats beat Padres cbssports.com Retrieved 15 May 2012
  28. ^ Comack, Amanda (14 May 2012). "Bryce Harper hits first major league homer, gets curtain call". Washington Times. http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/nationals-watch/2012/may/14/bryce-harper-hits-first-major-league-homer-gets-cu/. Retrieved 15 May 2012. 
  29. ^ Muskat, Carrie (2010-06-08). "Cubs select Bryce Harper's older bro | MLB.com: News". MLB.com (MLB). http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100608&content_id=10953902&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb. Retrieved 2010-06-10. 
  30. ^ "Chicago Cubs 2010 Draft Results | cubs.com: Team". Chicago.cubs.mlb.com. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/draft.jsp?c_id=chc. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  31. ^ "Bryce Harper faces pressure on his unprecedented path to Major League Baseball - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2009-08-12. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/e60/news/story?id=4388790. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  32. ^ Verducci, Tom (2009-06-08). "Baseball's LeBron". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1156215/index.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  33. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2010/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=5248377

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Preceded by
Stephen Strasburg		 First overall pick in the MLB Entry Draft
2010		 Succeeded by
Gerrit Cole
Preceded by
Jordan Lyles		 Youngest Player in the
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