Harper and Wheeler Named Finalists in Prestigious MLBPA Awards

Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper and pitcher Zack Wheeler have been named finalists for prestigious awards voted on by their peers.

Kade Kistner | Oct 22, 2021

John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper and starting pitcher Zack Wheeler have been nominated for MLB Players Association's awards for their on-field performances this season.

Harper joins Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the three finalists for the Player of the Year award.

The Player of the Year award is given out annually to the player who "exhibited the best on-field performance in 2021" according the MLBPA's website.

The award is voted on by the players. Additionally, Harper was also named a finalist for the National League Player of the Year Award along with Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley, Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto, and San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatís Jr.

USATSI_16535346 — © Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Harper had an incredible season that has him as the front runner for the NL MVP award. His .309/.429/.615 slashline was among the best of his career, and his .615 slugging led the majors in 2021.

Even more impressive was his historic second-half which helped plant him firmly in the MVP conversation and his team in the playoff race.

Harper's list of awards and accolades continue to grow as he was just awarded the St. Louis Sports Commission's 2021 Musial Award. He was given the award for his "sportsmanship, class, and character" according to the Commission.

Wheeler, on the other hand, has been named a finalist for the National League Outstanding Pitcher award. He is joined by Milwaukee Brewers starter Corbin Burnes and Los Angeles Dodgers starter Max Scherzer as the three finalists.

The Phillies starting pitcher tossed 213.1 innings in 2021, the highest by any pitcher in MLB. His 2.78 ERA was the lowest of his career and his performance all season long has landed him in the NL Cy Young conversation as well.

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Published Oct 22, 2021

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.