Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on May 4 2012 in Washington, DC. Rob Tringali SportsChrome/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: spchromepix088687
In 2009 Bryce Harper, who was a 16 year-old high school student, was called the “Chosen One” by Sports Illustrated. Now in his first Major League season Harper has lived up to the hype by making the All-Star team and has helped position the Washington Nationals for their first playoff run come September.
Harper grew up in Las Vegas and played baseball all over on highly competitive teams starting at 3 years-old. After growing up, Harper played two years of high school baseball before he completed his GED test and enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada. The school was close to home but also played with wooden bats in conference play which better prepared Harper for his early jump to the pros.
Bryce Harper (34) of Las Vegas High School Wildcats in a game against Chatsworth (CA) High School at Durango High School Las Vegas, NV. Harper, 16 is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2011 MLB Draft and was featured on the cover of the June 8 edition of Sports Illustrated, titled “Chosen One” In 2009 for Las Vegas High Harper .625 14 home runs, 55 RBIs 72 hits, 45 extra base hits, and 36 stolen bases. Haper also pitches. Josh Holmberg /Icon SMI 259/Josh Holmberg /Icon SMI/Newscom. Find it on newscom.com: iconphotostwo286128
Major League Baseball prospect Bryce Harper (34) of College of Southern Nevada Coyotes in a game against Western Nevada College at Morse Stadium in Henderson, NV. Harper is expected to be taken 1st overall in either the 2010 or 2011 Major League Draft depending on eligibility. Harper was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2009 and was called ”Baseball’s LeBron James”. Harper is class of 2011, but dropped out of high school after his sophomore year and earned his GED degree to play junior college baseball in order to become MLB Draft eligible a year early. Josh Holmberg/Cal Sport Media/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: csmphoto321694
On June 7 2010 Bryce Harper was drafted No. 1 over all by the Washington Nationals and changed positions from catcher to outfield to extend his career and help him develop faster. Harper was introduced as a member of the team in August after signing a 7-year $18.9 million contract.
The Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman helps Bryce Harper, the Nationals’ No. 1 overall draft pick, put on a team jersey during a press conference at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Thursday, August 26, 2010. Harry E. Walker/MCT/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: krtphotoslive435407
After a year in the minors Harper was called up to the Nationals on April 27, 2012 fallowing an injury to Ryan Zimmerman. Harper then made his MLB debut in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. It was less than a month later that Harper recorded his first home run on May 14, off of pitcher Tim Stauffer of the San Diego Padres. With the home run Harper became the youngest player to hit a home run since Adrian Beltre.
Harper did not stop there he has now has 10 home runs with 32 RBI’s. With a little over a month left in the regular season, Harper’s performance has help place the Nationals atop the MLB and are looking to make the first playoff appearance for the team.
If Washington is going to make a deep playoff run and challenge for the World Series, Harper and his teammate will have to step up following the news that pitching ace and 2009 No. 1 pick Stephen Strasburg will miss the playoffs due to an innings limit on his arm.
Washington Nationals’ top draft picks Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg pose for a Photo Day image at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Florida. ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumasportswest888337
Even without fellow No.1 pick Strasburg Harper will likely take baseball’s biggest stage in his first season and who knows what else this young player has in store for the rest of his career.
For more photos of Bryce Harper check out Newscom.
Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper catches a fly ball from Los Angeles Dodgers’ Juan Uribe (not pictured) in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 29, 2012. Dodgers won 2-0. Keith Birmingham/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumasportswesttwo407094
Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper prepares to bat against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park in Washington, DC on June 3, 2012. KEVIN DIETSCH/UPI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: upiphotostwo163502
Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper attempts to catch a foul ball against the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth inning of their MLB baseball game in Washington May 4, 2012. GARY CAMERON/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive221127
Washington Nationals Bryce Harper celebrates after scoring the go ahead home run against the Boston Red Sox during the ninth inning of Inter League MLB baseball action at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts June 10, 2012. JESSICA RINALDI/Reuters/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive296615
Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) giving umpire Angel Hernandez (55) a ear full after calling Harper strike three at the plate against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX. Juan DeLeon/Icon SMI CEM/Juan DeLeon/Icon SMI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: iconphotosthree289879
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Tags: Athletes in Focus, Baseball, Las Vegas, MLB, washington dc, Washington Nationals. Nats