The Phenomenal Bryce Harper

SI Staff | Jul 2, 2013

The Phenomenal Bryce Harper /

The Phenomenal Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper

Since being called up to the majors in late April 2012, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has been one of the biggest stories in baseball. From his 2009 appearance on the <italics>SI</italics> cover as a high school prospect to his curtain-call home run on his first swing back from a knee injury in 2013, here is a look at the phenomenal Bryce Harper.

Harper Family

The Harper family (clockwise from left: Bryce, father Ron, brother Bryan, sister Brittany, mother Sheri) poses outside a Las Vegas field during a 2009 SI photo shoot.

Bryce Harper

Harper poses in the Las Vegas desert during a 2009 SI photo shoot.

Bryce Harper

Harper, 16, warms up behind the plate during a high school game between Las Vegas and Chatsworth (Calif.). Playing for Las Vegas High in 2009, Harper hit .625 with 14 home runs, 55 RBIs and 36 stolen bases.

Harper both pitches and catches for Las Vegas High in the same game during the NIAA 4A Sunrise Region Championships against Silverado High.

Bryce Harper

In 2010, Harper played for the Southern Nevada Coyotes of the National Junior College Athletic Association, hititng 31 home runs and driving in 98 RBIs.

Bryce Harper

Harper talks to a teammate during the 2010 NJCAA World Series. Harper was named the 2010 SWAC (Scenic West Athletic Conference) Player of the Year but was forced to watch the Coyotes' loss in the World Series when he had to serve a two-game suspension for arguing balls and strikes.

Bryce Harper

Harper signs his major league contract with his agent, Scott Boras, and National GM Mike Rizzo.

Bryce Harper

Harper speaks to the media after signing his first contract with the Nationals.

Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg

Nationals top draft picks Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg pose during a 2011 Media Day Photo at the Nats' spring training facility in Viera, Fla.

Bryce Harper

Despite batting nearly .400 in spring training, Harper started the 2011 season with the Hagerstown Suns of the Class A South Atlantic League.

Bryce Harper

Harper, playing for the Hagerstown Suns, signs autographs before a game against the Lexington Legends

Bryce Harper, Jonathan Tucker, Archie Gilbert and Adam Fox

Harper (34) hangs out in the dugout with Senators teammates Jonathan Tucker (6), Archie Gilbert (7) and Adam Fox (8) before a July 2011 game against Akron.

Bryce Harper

Harper batted .256 with three home runs and 12 RBIs for the Senators in late 2011 before an injured hamstring prematurely ended his season.

Bryce Harper

Midway through the 2011 season, Harper was promoted to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. In this photo, he signs autographs for fans before a game against the Binghamton Mets at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg, Penn.

Bryce Harper

Harper reacts after striking out during the 2011 All-Star Futures Game at Chase Field in Phoenix. Harper went hitless in four at bats.

Bryce Harper

Harper lets out a scream after scoring on a game-winning, two-run home run by Ian Desmond during a game against the Diamondbacks earlier this month.

Bryce Harper

Harper watches the action from the dugout during a game against Arizona.

Bryce Harper

Harper reacts after striking out in the seventh inning during a game against the Phillies.

Bryce Harper

Harper slides safely after stealing home base against Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels. Harper had reached base after being hit by Hamels, which the pitcher later admitted was intentional.

Bryce Harper

All it took was two at-bats on his first opening day in the majors for Harper to hit two homers - and hear some ''M-V-P!'' chants. Both solo shots were the only runs scored in the entire game as the Nats beat the Marlins 2-0.

Bryce Harper

Harper received 11 stitches in his chin and jammed his shoulder, but didn't sustain a concussion after slamming into the scoreboard wall face-first while tracking a ball hit by A.J. Ellis over his left shoulder. Harper left the game in the fifth inning and the Nationals went on to beat the Dodgers 6-2 on May 13. Harper would pinch hit two days later, and return to the starting lineup the day after that.

Bryce Harper

On his first swing back from a knee injury that sidelined him for over a month, Bryce Harper hit a curtain-call home run on July 1.

Published Jul 2, 2013

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