Bryce Harper

Harper attended Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. In May 2009, Sports Illustrated featured Harper in a cover story, comparing him with LeBron James by similarly calling him his sport's "Chosen One".{{Cite magazine |last=Verducci |first=Tom |date=June 8, 2009 |title=Baseball's LeBron |magazine=SI.com |url=https://www.si.com/vault/2009/06/08/105822135/baseballs-lebron |access-date=August 9, 2016}} That same spring, he won Baseball America's high school player of the year award.{{Cite news |last=Schwarz |first=Alan |date=May 15, 2010 |title=At 17, Baseball's Next Sure Thing: Bryce Harper |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/sports/baseball/16nationals.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016112709/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/sports/baseball/16nationals.html |archive-date=October 16, 2023}}

He earned his GED in October 2009 in his junior year, reclassifying and making him eligible earlier for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft in June 2010.{{cite news|first=John|last=Marshall|title=Duke recruit Bagley raises issue of 'reclassification'|date=August 19, 2017|work=Austin American-Statesman|url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2017/08/19/duke-recruit-bagley-raises-issue-of-reclassification/10378356007/|access-date=May 30, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Youmans |first=Matt |date=June 14, 2009 |title=Harper ready to give college try |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |url=http://www.lvrj.com/sports/48018907.html |url-status=dead |access-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617034918/http://www.lvrj.com/sports/48018907.html |archive-date=June 17, 2009}}{{Cite news |last=Glassey |first=Conor |date=December 3, 2009 |title=Harper Passes GED |work=Baseball America |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1916 |access-date=December 3, 2009}}

For the 2010 college season, 17-year-old Harper enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada of the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), where he was a catcher. His older brother Bryan, who had been his teammate at Las Vegas High School, was one of the Southern Nevada Coyotes' starting pitchers, and the brothers often worked as a battery.{{Cite news |date=June 1, 2010 |title=Harper battery, bats power CSN |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/harper-battery-bats-power-csn |access-date=December 11, 2016}} An advantage for Harper in his eventual transition to his MLB career was that the SWAC, like MLB, uses wooden bats in conference play. In 66 games, he hit 31 home runs with 98 RBIs, hitting .443 with a .526 OBP, and a .987 SLG.{{Cite web |last=Oliver |first=Brian |date=June 7, 2010 |title=With the first pick |url=http://natsfarm.com/2010/06/07/with-the-first-pick |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021214929/http://natsfarm.com/2010/06/07/with-the-first-pick |archive-date=October 21, 2015 |access-date=June 8, 2010 |website=Nationals Farm Authority}} Harper's 31 home runs in 2010 broke the school's previous record of 12, and he was named the 2010 SWAC Player of the Year.

In the Western district finals of the 2010 NJCAA World Series, Harper went 6-for-7 with five RBIs and hit for the cycle.{{Cite news |last=Short |first=D.J. |date=May 22, 2010 |title=Bryce Harper hits for the cycle |work=NBC Sports |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/bryce-harper-hits-for-the-cycle.html.php |url-status=dead |access-date=May 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525050440/http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/bryce-harper-hits-for-the-cycle.html.php |archive-date=May 25, 2010}} The next day, in a doubleheader, he went 2-for-5 with a three-run double in the first game. In the second game, he went 6-for-6 with four home runs, a triple, and a double.{{Cite news |last=Youmans |first=Matt |date=May 23, 2010 |title=Harper lifts CSN to Junior College World Series: Four HRs, 10 RBIs power CSN to title |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |url=http://www.lvrj.com/sports/harper-lifts-csn-to-junior-college-world-series-94686519.html |access-date=May 23, 2010}}

On June 2 that year, Harper was ejected from a National Junior College World Series game by home plate umpire Don Gilmore for disputing 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.{{Cite news |date=June 3, 2010 |title=Bryce Harper ejected, and suspended, perhaps ending amateur career – Daily Pitch |work=USA Today |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/06/bryce-harper-ejected-and-suspended-perhaps-ending-amateur-career/1}} The suspension ended his amateur career, and Southern Nevada lost the game from which Harper was ejected. With Harper suspended, the team also lost their next game, which eliminated them from the tournament.{{Cite web |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |date=June 4, 2010 |title=Yeah, he's that good |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/draft2010/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=5248377 |access-date=June 5, 2010 |website=ESPN.com}} Harper won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award, given to the best amateur baseball player in the nation.{{Cite web |last=Brewer |first=Ray |date=July 13, 2010 |title=Bryce Harper wins prestigious Golden Spikes Award |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/13/bryce-harper-wins-prestigious-golden-spikes-awards/ |access-date=March 2, 2019 |website=Las Vegas Sun}}

File:Bryce Harper, Hagerstown 2011.jpg, May 2011]]

The Washington Nationals chose Harper with the first overall selection of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite news |last=Antonen |first=Mel |date=June 8, 2010 |title=Nationals take 17-year-old Bryce Harper with top pick |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/nationals/2010-06-08-nationals-harper-first-pick_N.htm |access-date=June 8, 2010}} Although Harper had previously and 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.{{Cite news |last=Kilgore |first=Adam |date=June 8, 2010 |title=Washington Nationals select Bryce Harper with first pick in MLB draft |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/07/AR2010060704529.html |access-date=June 8, 2010}}

At the signing deadline, Harper and the Nationals agreed to a five-year contract worth $9.9 million, including a $6.25 million signing bonus and eight semesters of college tuition.{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Tim |date=August 16, 2010 |title=Harper signs with Nats for almost $10 million |work=Yahoo! Sports |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-harpersigns081610 |access-date=December 14, 2012}} When asked about the signing, Nationals President Stan Kasten said, "The truth is, with a full minute to go, Mike and I both thought we were not going to have a deal." Asked what changed in that final minute, Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo replied, "It was both sides compromising and knowing that we were so close, it would be fruitless not to get a deal done."{{Cite news |last=Fendrich |first=Howard |date=August 16, 2010 |title=Nationals, top pick Bryce Harper agree at $9.9M |work=The Seattle Times |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/sports/2012634959_apbbnnationalsharper.html |access-date=December 14, 2012}} On August 26, 2010, Harper was introduced by the Nationals. He said he chose to wear No. 34 because "I always loved Mickey Mantle, three and four equals seven."{{Cite news |last=Wang |first=Gene |date=August 26, 2010 |title=Bryce Harper introduced at pregame news conference |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/08/bryce_harper_introduced_at_pre.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226151755/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/08/bryce_harper_introduced_at_pre.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2013 |access-date=August 26, 2010}}

After batting .319 with a .407 OBP (and leading his team in hits, home runs, RBIs, and walks) in the Nationals' fall instructional league, Harper was selected to participate in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) as a member of the Scottsdale Scorpions taxi-squad,{{Cite web |last=Ladson |first=Bill |date=October 13, 2010 |title=Nats' Harper to play in Arizona Fall League |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101013&content_id=15613880 |access-date=October 19, 2010 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021205428/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101013&content_id=15613880 |url-status=dead }} 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).{{Cite news |last=Kilgore |first=Adam |date=October 14, 2010 |title=No. 1 overall pick Harper is ahead of his time for Nats |newspaper=The Washington Post}} He batted .343 and slugged .729.{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2010 |title=A Look At Bryce Harper's Final AFL Stats |url=http://usafuturewatch.com/?p=669 |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=USA Future Watch}} On November 20, Harper and the Scottsdale Scorpions won the 2010 AFL Championship.

After batting .399 in spring training, Harper began his minor league career when the Nationals optioned him to the Hagerstown Suns of the Class-A South Atlantic League.{{Cite web |last=Ladson |first=Bill |title=After win, Nats option Harper to Class A |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110312&content_id=16923142&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was |access-date=March 20, 2011 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021205441/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110312&content_id=16923142&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was |url-status=dead }} 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 seven home runs, 10 doubles and 23 RBIs.{{Cite news |date=May 13, 2011 |title=Bryce Harper crushing ball after eye exam |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bryce-harper-crushing-ball-after-eye-exam/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515094701/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31751_162-20062723-10391697.html |archive-date=May 15, 2011}}

Harper was selected to represent the United States in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game during the 2011 All-Star Game weekend.{{Cite web |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=July 10, 2011 |title=Bryce Harper shows off polite side at All-Star Futures game |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2011-jul-10-la-sp-0711-all-star-futures-game-20110711-story.html |access-date=March 3, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times}} He was promoted to the Harrisburg Senators of the Double-A Eastern League on July 4. Harper went 2-for-3 in his Double-A debut with two singles, a run, and a walk.{{Cite news |title=Bryce Harper promoted to Double-A |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6737300 |access-date=July 5, 2011}} On August 18, Harper injured his hamstring while running from second to third on an extra-base hit. The injury was severe enough for him to be carried off the field by his coaches. He was placed on the seven-day disabled list and the injury ended Harper's season.{{Cite web |date=August 19, 2011 |title=Injured Harper's season likely over |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110819&content_id=23433882¬ebook_id=23433888&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was |access-date=June 22, 2012 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107053727/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110819&content_id=23433882¬ebook_id=23433888&vkey=notebook_was&c_id=was |url-status=dead }}

Harper began the 2012 season with the Syracuse Chiefs of the Triple-A International League.{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2012 |title=Washington Nationals call up Bryce Harper from Syracuse Chiefs | syracuse.com |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/sports/2012/04/washington_nationals_call_up_b.html |access-date=March 2, 2019 |publisher=Blog.syracuse.com}}

File:Bryce Aron Max Harper.jpg, May 2012]]

The Nationals promoted Harper to the major leagues on April 27, 2012, after Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the disabled list. Harper made his MLB debut with the Nationals the next day against the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{Cite news |last=Ortiz |first=Jorge L. |date=April 30, 2012 |title=Nationals phenom Bryce Harper shows teen spirit in debut |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/nationals/story/2012-04-29/Bryce-Harper-phenom/54633740/1 |access-date=August 13, 2012}} Harper grounded out to pitcher Chad Billingsley in his first major league at-bat. He recorded his first major league hit, 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.{{Cite web |title=Nationals vs. Dodgers – 04/28/12 |url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_28_wasmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=la#gid=2012_04_28_wasmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=was |website=MLB.com |access-date=April 29, 2012 |archive-date=May 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501225537/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_28_wasmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=la#gid=2012_04_28_wasmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=was |url-status=dead }}

After being hit by a pitch by Cole Hamels in the first inning of a game against the Phillies on May 6, Harper eventually advanced to third, then stole home plate, becoming the first teenager to steal home plate since 1964.{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2012 |title=Bryce Harper steals home, first time for teenager since '64 |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/18980038/bryce-harper-steals-home-first-time-for-teenager-since-64 |access-date=June 24, 2012 |website=CBSSports.com}} Hamels later admitted that he intentionally hit Harper and was suspended for five games by MLB.{{Cite news |date=May 7, 2012 |title=Cole Hamels on Bryce Harper: 'I was trying to hit him' |work=USA Today |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2012/05/cole-hamels-bryce-harper-hit-by-pitch/1 |access-date=June 22, 2012}} On May 14, Harper was 19 when he hit his first career Major League home run, connecting off of San Diego Padres pitcher Tim Stauffer.[http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20120514_SD@WAS Harper hits first HR, Nats beat Padres] cbssports.com Retrieved May 15, 2012 He was the youngest player to homer in the major leagues since Adrián Beltré did in 1998.{{Cite news |last=Comack |first=Amanda |date=May 14, 2012 |title=Bryce Harper hits first major league homer, gets curtain call |work=The Washington Times |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/nationals-watch/2012/may/14/bryce-harper-hits-first-major-league-homer-gets-cu/ |url-status=dead |access-date=May 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515235158/http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/nationals-watch/2012/may/14/bryce-harper-hits-first-major-league-homer-gets-cu/ |archive-date=May 15, 2012}} He was named National League Rookie of the Month for May.{{Cite news |last=Wagner |first=James |date=October 2, 2012 |title=Bryce Harper named NL Rookie of the Month for second time this season |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2012/10/02/bryce-harper-named-nl-rookie-of-the-month-for-second-time-this-season/ |access-date=October 3, 2012}}

Harper earned his first walk-off hit on June 5 with an RBI single in the bottom of the 12th inning against the New York Mets.{{Cite news |date=June 5, 2012 |title=Harper's the hero as Nationals edge Mets in 12 |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/story/2012-06-05/nationals-mets-bryce-harper/55411524/1 |access-date=June 6, 2012}}

{{anchor|That's a clown question, bro}}

During a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 12, Harper hit a deep home run to center field that struck an advertising banner adjacent to the restaurant in the second tier of seats at the Rogers Centre,{{Cite web |title=WSH@TOR: Harper crushes a solo homer to center |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=22221483&c_id=mlb |access-date=June 13, 2012 |website=MLB.com}} estimated to travel 438 feet.{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2012 |title=ESPN Home Run Tracker :: Player and Field Detail |url=http://hittrackeronline.com/hrdetail.php?id=2012_1792 |access-date=June 13, 2012}} After the game, a reporter asked if Harper would take advantage of Ontario's lower drinking age (19, versus 21 in the U.S.) by drinking a celebratory beer with his teammates. Harper replied, "I'm not going to answer that. That's a clown question, bro." The comment quickly developed into an Internet meme,{{Cite web |last=Waldman |first=Katy |date=June 13, 2012 |title=Clown Question, Bro: Bryce Harper helps journalists understand what not to ask |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/06/13/clown_question_bro_bryce_harper_helps_journalists_understand_what_not_to_ask_.html |access-date=June 14, 2012 |website=Slate}} with the phrase itself repeated, in response to a question, by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.{{Cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Dan |date=June 19, 2012 |title=Harry Reid uses 'That's a clown question, bro' |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/harry-reid-uses-thats-a-clown-question-bro/2012/06/19/gJQAdEeSoV_blog.html |access-date=June 22, 2012}} Harper filed an application to trademark the phrase.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=David |date=May 30, 2012 |title=Bryce Harper trademarks 'That's a clown question, bro' and Under Armour is selling merchandise |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/bryce-harper-trademarks-clown-bro-under-armour-selling-143328872--mlb.html |access-date=June 22, 2012 |publisher=Yahoo! Sports}}

Harper was named a candidate in the All-Star Final Vote, with the winner being added to the All-Star Game roster. Harper finished third behind David Freese and Michael Bourn. However, Bourn would make the roster after Ian Desmond sustained an injury and Harper would become the youngest position player (and third-youngest player, behind Dwight Gooden and Bob Feller) to ever make an All-Star roster when it was announced Giancarlo Stanton would undergo knee surgery.{{Cite magazine |title=Nationals' Bryce Harper added to NL All-Star team roster |magazine=SI.com |url=http://tracking.si.com/2012/07/07/bryce-harper-all-star-game-2012-roster-national-league-voting-washington/?sct=hp_t2_a5&eref=sihp |url-status=dead |access-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021205428/http://tracking.si.com/2012/07/07/bryce-harper-all-star-game-2012-roster-national-league-voting-washington/?sct=hp_t2_a5&eref=sihp |archive-date=October 21, 2013}} "I don't have words to explain it right now. It's exciting to go. I'm excited to get there and be around all the top guys in the country, of course, and the top guys in baseball. I'm going to take it all in and try to enjoy it with my family and just be as mellow and as calm as I can," Harper stated.{{Cite news |last=Kilgore |first=Adam |date=July 7, 2012 |title=Bryce Harper replaces Giancarlo Stanton, becomes the youngest position player in All-Star Game history |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/bryce-harper-replaces-giancarlo-stanton-becomes-the-youngest-position-player-in-all-star-game-history/2012/07/07/gJQAWKeoUW_blog.html |access-date=July 9, 2012}} He went 0-for-1 with a strikeout and a walk.{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2012 |title=An eventful All-Star win for Nats |url=http://www.csnwashington.com/baseball-washington-nationals/nationals-talk/An-eventful-All-Star-win-for-Nats?blockID=738414&feedID=6358 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120025319/http://www.csnwashington.com/baseball-washington-nationals/nationals-talk/An-eventful-All-Star-win-for-Nats?blockID=738414&feedID=6358 |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |access-date=August 22, 2012 |publisher=Csnwashington.com}}{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2012 |title=Washington Nationals Trio Produces Highs and Lows at 2012 MLB All-Star Game |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1254277-washington-nationals-trio-produce-highs-and-lows-at-2012-mlb-all-star-game |access-date=August 22, 2012 |publisher=Bleacher Report}}

Harper struggled in the games following the All-Star break, hitting .176 with 26 strikeouts in his first 116 plate appearances in the second half of the season.{{Cite web |last=Calcaterra |first=Craig |date=August 9, 2012 |title=Struggling, frustrated Bryce Harper to get the day off |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/09/struggling-frustrated-bryce-harper-to-get-the-day-off/ |access-date=August 31, 2012 |website=NBCSports.com}} Manager Davey Johnson began to give Harper days off due to his poor play and visible on-field frustration.{{Cite news |last=Wagner |first=James |date=August 18, 2012 |title=Bryce Harper to receive another day off on Saturday |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/bryce-harper-to-receive-another-day-off-on-saturday/2012/08/18/0392f956-e8e9-11e1-8487-64e4b2a79ba8_blog.html |access-date=August 31, 2012}} Johnson said that Harper had become "overly aggressive" at the plate.{{Cite news |last=Kilgore |first=Adam |title=Bryce Harper blasts two homers, ranks third all-time among teenagers |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2012/09/06/bryce-harper-blasts-two-homers-ranks-third-all-time-among-teenagers/ |access-date=September 6, 2012}}

Harper's play began to improve in late August. He hit two home runs in a game against the Miami Marlins on August 29, his first career multi-homer game, and received his first major league ejection after throwing his helmet down in the ninth inning in response to hitting into a double play.{{Cite news |last=Berry |first=Adam |date=August 29, 2012 |title=No clowning around: Harper, Nats stop slide |work=MLB.com |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_08_29_wasmlb_miamlb_1#gid=2012_08_29_wasmlb_miamlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=was |access-date=September 1, 2012}} He had a second multi-homer game on September 5, against the Chicago Cubs. Harper was named Rookie of the Month again in September after hitting .330 with seven home runs. Harper's 254 total bases and 57 extra base hits were the most ever for a player under age 20, while his 22 home runs, 98 runs scored, .340 on-base percentage, .477 slugging percentage, and .817 on base-plus-slugging were the best regular season totals for a teenager in the past 45 years.{{Cite news |last=Howard |first=Fendrich |date=October 7, 2012 |title=Age gap doesn't matter for Nationals' Bryce Harper, Davey Johnson |work=The Augusta Chronicle |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/sports/baseball/2012-10-05/age-gap-doesnt-matter-nationals-bryce-harper-davey-johnson |access-date=October 7, 2012}}

In Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Harper hit his first postseason home run. The Nationals would eventually lose the game 9–7 despite leading by 6 runs. He finished his first postseason appearance with a .130 batting average.{{Cite web |title=Bryce Harper Statistics and History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml |access-date=October 14, 2012 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

Harper was named the National League Rookie of the Year. He received 112 votes, 16 of them first-place votes, beating Arizona's Wade Miley (105 votes, 12 first-place) and Cincinnati's Todd Frazier.{{Cite web |title=Bryce Harper lives up to the hype, earns NL ROY honors in extremely close vote |date=November 12, 2012 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/big-league-stew/bryce-harper-lives-hype-earns-nl-roy-honors-235605890--mlb.html |access-date=November 13, 2012 |publisher=Yahoo Sports}}

Harper hit two home runs against the Miami Marlins on Opening Day of the 2013 season. At age 20, he became the youngest major league player to hit two home runs in his team's first game of the season. He was voted a starter for the MLB All-Star Game, his second career All-Star selection.{{Cite news |title=HARPER YOUNGEST WITH 2 HRS IN 1ST GAME OF SEASON |agency=Associated Press |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/harper-2nd-youngest-hr-1st-game-season |access-date=April 1, 2013 |archive-date=March 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303154002/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/harper-2nd-youngest-hr-1st-game-season |url-status=dead }}

After hitting 13 home runs in just 58 games, Harper was selected to participate in the 2013 Home Run Derby. Harper hit a total of 16 home runs in the first two rounds to advance to the final round, in which he faced Yoenis Céspedes, an outfielder for the Oakland Athletics. Although he lost 9–8 in the finals, Harper was the second-youngest player to participate in the Home Run Derby, and the youngest to ever make it to the final round. Harper hit his 17th homer of the season on August 6, the 39th of his career, passing Ken Griffey Jr. for most home runs by a player younger than 21. Only two other players hit more home runs than Harper before turning 21.{{Cite news |last1=Rolfe, Rebecca |last2=Worthington, Dan |date=July 15, 2013 |title=Harper at the Home Run Derby |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/sports/harper-home-run-derby-2013/ |access-date=July 17, 2013}}{{Cite web |last=Bowman, Mark |date=July 16, 2013 |title=Harper showcases power in second-place Derby finish |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130715&content_id=53837888&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |access-date=July 17, 2013 |website=MLB.com}} In 118 games, he hit .274/.368/.486 with 20 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 47 extra base hits. During the 2013 off-season, Harper successfully underwent left knee surgery to remove a bursa sac.

During a game against the San Diego Padres on April 25, 2014, Harper suffered a left thumb injury when he slid into third base on a 3-run triple. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list the next day. An MRI revealed that the thumb had a torn ulnar collateral ligament. On April 28, it was announced that Harper would require surgery to repair the ligament tear in the thumb. During a rehab game with Double-A Harrisburg on June 28, Harper hit 3 home runs in one game. Harper returned to the Majors on June 30. In 100 games during the season, Harper batted .273 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI.

After the 2014 season, Harper planned to travel to Japan to participate in the 2014 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series,{{Cite news |last=Wagner |first=James |date=September 30, 2014 |title=Bryce Harper to play for MLB all-star team in Japan in November |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2014/09/30/bryce-harper-to-play-for-mlb-all-star-team-in-japan-in-november/ |access-date=October 4, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} but later withdrew.{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2014 |title=Royals place 4 on MLB roster for Japanese tour |url=http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/japan-all-star-series-mlb-roster-robinson-cano-puig-altuve-110714 |access-date=July 15, 2015 |website=Fox Sports}}

File:BryceHarper2015SD001.jpg

On April 18, 2015, Harper hit the longest home run of his MLB career with a 461-foot drive over the center field wall against the Philadelphia Phillies.{{Cite web |last=Clair |first=Michael |date=April 18, 2015 |title=Bryce Harper hits the longest home run of his career with this 461-foot blast |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/bryce-harper-hits-the-longest-home-run-of-his-career-with-this-461-foot-blast/c-119072604 |website=MLB.com |access-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419181805/http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2015/04/18/119072604/bryce-harper-hits-the-longest-home-run-of-his-career-with-this-461-foot-blast |url-status=live }} On May 6, Harper hit three home runs in a single game for the first time in his career. He did it against Tom Koehler, with one of the shots going 442 feet to the second deck in a 7–5 victory over the Miami Marlins. He became the youngest player to accomplish this feat since Joe Lahoud in 1969.{{Cite web |title=Harper hits 3 homers as Nats win 7–5 over Marlins |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-hits-three-homers-one-a-445-foot-blast/c-122720274 |access-date=May 6, 2015 |website=MLB.com |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509001759/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/122720274/bryce-harper-hits-three-homers-one-a-442-foot-blast |url-status=live }} Harper was later awarded the Player of the Month Award for May for the first time in his career.{{Cite web |last=Janes |first=Chelsea |date=June 3, 2015 |title=Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, win NL Player, Pitcher of the Month awards |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2015/06/03/bryce-harper-max-scherzer-win-nl-player-pitcher-of-the-month-awards/ |access-date=April 22, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

Measured by OPS+, which adjusts on-base plus slugging for park factors and normalizes it against league averages, Harper's 2015 was a top-5 hitting season (since 1900) for all players under the age of 23, and the best season of any hitter since Barry Bonds a decade earlier.{{Cite web |title=Leaders and Records for Adjusted OPS |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/onbase_plus_slugging_plus_season.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web |title=On-base Plus Slugging Plus (OPS+) {{!}} Glossary |url=https://www.mlb.com/glossary/advanced-stats/on-base-plus-slugging-plus |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} Harper led the majors in WAR and tied for the NL home run title with 42.{{Cite web |title=2015 MLB Team and Player Stats |url=http://espn.go.com/mlb/statistics/_/seasontype/2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012232523/http://espn.go.com/mlb/statistics/_/seasontype/2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2009 |website=ESPN}} Harper also became the youngest player ever with at least 40 home runs and 120 walks in one season, a distinction previously held by Babe Ruth.{{Cite book |last1=Reavy |first1=Kevin |title=Incredible Baseball Stats |last2=Spaeder |first2=Ryan |date=2016 |publisher=Sports Publishing |isbn=978-1-61321-894-5 |page=168 |chapter=Washington Nationals}}

Harper's historic season earned him many awards. He received all 30 first place votes for the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player.{{Cite web |last=Ortiz, Jorge L. |date=November 19, 2015 |title=Nationals' Bryce Harper unanimous choice for NL MVP |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/11/19/nationals-bryce-harper-named-nl-mvp-paul-goldschmidt-anthony-rizzo/76072478/ |access-date=November 19, 2015 |website=USA Today}} At age 23, Harper became the youngest player to unanimously win an MVP award. He also became the first player in Nationals/Expos history to win an MVP award and the first player that played for a Washington team to win the honor. He also won the Hank Aaron Award as the NL's top hitter, and Baseball America named him the player of the year.{{Cite web |title=Major League Player of the Year: Bryce Harper |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/2015-major-league-player-year-bryce-harper-2/ |website=Baseball America}} ESPN chose him as its 2015 MLB Person of the Year.{{Cite web |last=Matz |first=Eddie |date=December 31, 2015 |title=Bryce Harper is our MLB 'Person of the Year' for 2015 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/14449866/washington-nationals-outfielder-bryce-harper-our-person-year-2015 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |publisher=ESPN}}

Despite Harper's strong season, the Nationals finished in second in the NL East at 83–79, 7 games behind the Mets.{{Cite web |title=2015 MLB Standings and Records: Regular Season |url=https://www.mlb.com/standings/2015 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

On April 14, 2016, Harper hit his first career grand slam for his 100th career home run in a game against the Atlanta Braves.{{Cite web |last=Wagner |first=James |date=April 14, 2016 |title=Harper hits 100th career HR as Nats beat Braves 7–1 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/nationals-roll-to-7-1-as-bryce-harper-slams-100th-home-run/2016/04/14/a2703b40-024b-11e6-9d36-33d198ea26c5_story.html |access-date=April 14, 2016 |issn=0190-8286 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Three days later, he hit a home run for a fourth straight game, setting a new career streak for most consecutive games with a home run.{{Cite news |last=Janes |first=Chelsea |date=April 17, 2016 |title=Bryce Harper blasts homer in fourth straight game |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2016/04/17/bryce-harper-blasts-homer-in-fourth-straight-game/ |access-date=April 18, 2016 |issn=0190-8286}} He was named National League Player of the Week on April 18, after driving in 12 runs, tying a club record for home runs in consecutive games and becoming the eighth-youngest player in major league history to reach 100 home runs.{{Cite web |last=Janes |first=Chelsea |date=April 18, 2016 |title=Bryce Harper named National League co-player of the week |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2016/04/18/bryce-harper-named-national-league-co-player-of-the-week/ |access-date=April 22, 2016 |issn=0190-8286 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

On Mother's Day, May 8, Harper was walked six times in a game against the Chicago Cubs, tying the MLB record for most walks in a game.{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2016 |title=Cubs walk Bryce Harper 6 times, win 4–3 in extras |url=http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/cubs-walk-bryce-harper-six-times-survive-nats-on-walk-off-homer-050816 |access-date=May 8, 2016 |website=Fox Sports}} Harper reached base seven times that day (he was also hit by a pitch), becoming the first player in over 100 years to reach base seven times without recording an at-bat.{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2016 |title=Harper reaches base seven times without recording an official at-bat |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/15489923/washington-nationals-star-bryce-harper-reaches-base-7-s-official-bat |access-date=May 8, 2016 |publisher=ESPN}} He saw 27 pitches in total, and swung his pink Mother's Day bat at none of them, as the Cubs defeated the Nats 4–3 in 13 innings.{{Cite web |last=Huber |first=Mike |title=May 8, 2016: Nationals' Bryce Harper reaches base seven times without an official at-bat, but Cubs win |url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/may-8-2016-nationals-bryce-harper-reaches-base-seven-times-without-an-official-at-bat-but-cubs-win/ |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=Society for American Baseball Research |language=}} Over the weekend four game series, Harper was walked 13 times, setting a new MLB record for most walks in a series.{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Matt |date=May 8, 2016 |title=Cubs walk Harper 13 times in 4 games |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25581494/cubs-give-bryce-harper-the-barry-bonds-treatment-sweep-nationals |access-date=May 8, 2016 |website=CBS Sports |archive-date=May 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509233013/http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25581494/cubs-give-bryce-harper-the-barry-bonds-treatment-sweep-nationals |url-status=dead }} The following day, Harper was ejected from the dugout for yelling at home plate umpire Brian Knight when teammate Danny Espinosa was called out on strikes. Harper returned to the field to celebrate the 5–4 walk-off win over the Detroit Tigers with his teammates and was caught shouting profanity towards Knight. Two days later, Harper was given a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine, but Harper appealed the same day.{{Cite web |title=Harper faces one-game suspension. |date=May 11, 2016 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/15510735/bryce-harper-washington-nationals-suspended-umpire-confrontation |access-date=May 11, 2016 |publisher=ESPN}} On May 14, Harper dropped his appeal and began serving the one-game suspension. In 147 games of 2016, Harper finished with a .243 batting average, 24 home runs, and 86 RBI. He also walked 108 times, and 20 of them were intentional that led MLB.

The Nationals finished the season with a 95–67 record, clinching the NL East division, but lost to the Dodgers in the 2016 NLDS.

On Opening Day, April 3, 2017, Harper hit a solo home run, struck out, and walked against the Miami Marlins.{{Cite news |date=April 4, 2017 |title=Harper, Lind homer, Nationals top Marlins 4–2 in opener |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370403120 |access-date=April 5, 2017}} His home run was the fifth of his career in a season opener, the most by a player younger than 25.{{Cite news |date=April 4, 2017 |title=Bryce Harper Enters Record Books with Opening Day Home Run |work=Bleacher Report |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2701592-bryce-harper-enters-record-books-with-home-run-on-opening-day |access-date=April 6, 2017}} He set the MLB record for runs scored in the month of April with 32, surpassing Larry Walker's 29 in 1997.{{Cite news |last=Macklin |first=Oliver |date=April 30, 2017 |title=Harper sets MLB record for runs in April |work=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-sets-mlb-runs-record-for-april-c227454450 |access-date=April 30, 2017 |archive-date=May 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504102839/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227454450/bryce-harper-sets-mlb-runs-record-for-april/ |url-status=live }}

On May 13, Harper and the Nationals avoided arbitration in 2018 by agreeing to a one-year, $21.625-million contract.{{Cite web |last=Zuckerman |first=Mark |title=Nats, Harper agree to $21.625 million salary for 2018 season |url=http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2017/05/nats-harper-agree-to-21625-million-salary-for-2018-season.html}} That night, he hit a walk-off home run versus the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time in the 2017 season, after doing it on April 16 as well.

On May 16, Harper hit a home run at PNC Park, which meant in his career he had hit a home run in all 15 National League ballparks.

On May 29, in a game against the San Francisco Giants, Harper was hit by a pitch from Hunter Strickland. Harper had hit two home runs off of Strickland in the 2014 National League Division Series (a series the Giants won), leading Harper to believe Strickland was seeking revenge.{{Cite news |title=Brief history of growing feud between Nats' Bryce Harper and Giants' Hunter Strickland |work=CBSSports.com |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/brief-history-of-growing-feud-between-nats-bryce-harper-and-giants-hunter-strickland/ |access-date=July 14, 2017}} Harper slammed down his bat and charged the mound, throwing his helmet wide of Strickland before the two players exchanged punches, starting a bench-clearing brawl in which Giants first baseman Michael Morse, one of several former Nationals teammates of Harper on the Giants team, suffered a serious concussion in a collision with Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija, which would go on to end his career. Both Harper and Strickland were ejected for their roles in the brawl.{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Jamal |title=Giants-Nationals game on Memorial Day turns into fiasco with bench-clearing brawl |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-hunter-strickland-spark-fracas-c233174574 |access-date=May 29, 2017 |publisher=MLB |archive-date=May 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530020624/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/233174574/bryce-harper-hunter-strickland-spark-fracas/ |url-status=live }} The next day, on May 30, Harper was suspended four games.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Matt |title=Hunter Strickland, Bryce Harper suspended for brawl |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/hunter-strickland-bryce-harper-suspended-c233355636 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |publisher=MLB |archive-date=June 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603020321/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/233355636/hunter-strickland-bryce-harper-suspended/?topicId=27118122 |url-status=live }} Harper appealed, and his suspension was reduced to three games.{{Cite web |title=Bryce Harper gets one game lopped off suspension |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19506109/bryce-harper-washington-nationals-suspension-reduced-three-games |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=ESPN.com|date=May 31, 2017 }}{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Ryan |title=Bryce Harper's wife not letting brawl ruin vacation |date=May 31, 2017 |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865681047/Bryce-Harpers-wife-not-letting-brawl-ruin-vacation.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603154233/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865681047/Bryce-Harpers-wife-not-letting-brawl-ruin-vacation.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 3, 2017 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |publisher=Desert News}} Harper credited Morse with preventing him from injury during the scrum, as Morse had absorbed a body blow from Samardzija that appeared to be aimed at Harper, telling a MASN reporter, "I'm very thankful for Mikey Mo."{{Cite news |last=Sharkey-Gotlieb |first=Simon |date=May 30, 2017 |title=Harper: Morse-Samardzija collision in brawl saved me from injury |agency=theScore |url=https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1310645-harper-morse-samardzija-collision-in-brawl-saved-me-from-injury |access-date=July 1, 2017}}

Harper was the top overall vote-getter for the National League to start in the 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and received the most votes of any one player overall.{{Cite news |date=July 11, 2017 |title=Bryce Harper: Let top vote-getters pick teams for All-Star Game |agency=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19956997/bryce-harper-washington-nationals-all-star-draft-pick-teams |access-date=July 12, 2017}} As the starting right fielder for the National League All-Stars, he went 1-for-1 with a walk and made a diving catch to rob American League catcher Salvador Pérez of a base hit.{{Cite news |last=Janes |first=Chelsea |date=July 12, 2017 |title=Max Scherzer muttered, Bryce Harper commentated, and Daniel Murphy hit: Nats impress at the All-Star Game |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2017/07/12/max-scherzer-bryce-harper-impress-in-all-star-game/ |access-date=July 12, 2017}} He wore cleats for the All-Star Game in honor of the late Miami Marlins ace José Fernández, a division rival pitcher who had held Harper to a career .211 batting average against him; Fernández had been killed in a September 2016 boat crash.{{Cite news |title=Jose Fernandez Career Vs. Batter Stats |agency=Rotowire |url=https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/vsbatter.htm?id=12136 |access-date=July 12, 2017}}

On July 27, Harper hit one of four consecutive home runs by Nationals hitters off Milwaukee Brewers starter Michael Blazek; this was the first time that the feat had been accomplished in Major League Baseball since the 2011 season.{{Cite news |last=Castillo |first=Jorge |date=July 27, 2017 |title=Back-to-back-to-back-to-back: Nats club four homers in a row and eight in four innings |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2017/07/27/back-to-back-to-back-to-back-nats-club-four-home-runs-in-a-row-vs-brewers/ |access-date=August 27, 2017}} On August 7, he hit his 150th home run. He was 24 years and 295 days old when he accomplished this feat, exactly the same age as Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout when he hit his 150th home run.{{Cite news |title=Bryce Harper hit his 150th career home run at the exact same age — to the day — as Mike Trout hit his |agency=New York Daily News |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/bryce-harper-hits-150th-hr-exact-age-mike-trout-hit-article-1.3392250 |access-date=August 7, 2017}} On August 12, Harper suffered a hyperextended left knee after reaching first base; the injury forced him to leave the game.{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Jamal |title=Bryce Harper suffers hyperextended left knee, leaves game |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nationals-bryce-harper-injured-exits-game-c248097380 |access-date=August 12, 2017 |publisher=MLB |archive-date=August 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813183541/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/248097380/nationals-bryce-harper-injured-exits-game/ |url-status=live }} It was later revealed that his left knee had a significant bone bruise, but no ligament damage, sending him to the disabled list but prompting team officials to say they were confident he could return before the end of the season.{{Cite web |last=Trezza |first=Joe |title=Bryce Harper has bruise, no ligament damage |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nationals-bryce-harper-has-bone-bruise-c248179458 |access-date=August 13, 2017 |publisher=MLB |archive-date=August 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813230442/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/248179458/nationals-bryce-harper-has-bone-bruise/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Bryce Harper avoided ligament tear in baserunning injury; no timetable for return |date=August 13, 2017 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20331041/bryce-harper-washington-nationals-indefinitely-no-ligament-tear-baserunning-injury |access-date=August 13, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}} On September 27, Bryce was reactivated off of the DL against the Philadelphia Phillies.{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2017 |title=Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals reinstated from the disabled list |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20827741/bryce-harper-washington-nationals-reinstated-disabled-list |access-date=March 2, 2019 |website=Espn.com}}

On October 13, Harper went 2–4 with an RBI in Game 5 of the NLDS, and made the last out of the game by striking out against Chicago Cubs' closer, Wade Davis, ending the Nationals' NLCS bid.

Harper began the 2018 season by drawing more walks than in previous years.{{Cite web |last=Errigo |first=Michael |date=May 24, 2018 |title=Bryce Harper drawing more walks than ever |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-drawing-more-walks-than-ever/c-274271450 |access-date=March 2, 2019 |website=MLB.com}} He was batting .219 with 21 home runs and 50 RBIs when he was named a starting outfielder for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, where he also won the homerun derby.{{Cite magazine |last=Kolur |first=Nihal |date=July 8, 2018 |title=Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper Headline All-Star Rosters |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/07/08/mlb-all-star-rosters-complete-names-teams |access-date=July 12, 2018 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} He finished the season with a career-high 130 walks, 34 home runs, a .249 batting average, and 100 RBIs, marking his first season reaching triple-digit RBIs.{{Cite web |title=Bryce Harper Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml |access-date=March 3, 2019 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He became a free agent after the 2018 season.{{Cite news |last=Collier |first=Jamal |date=October 29, 2019 |title=Let the pursuit begin: Harper becomes free agent |work=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-officially-becomes-free-agent-c299926354 |access-date=April 11, 2019}}

File:Bryce Harper (33639746228) (cropped).jpg at Citizens Bank Park, March 2019]]

Initially the Nationals sought to offer Harper a new contract with the team; however he later rejected two offers, describing them as disappointing. Numerous reports had also linked Harper to possibly sign a $45 million annual contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers,{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-11-01/bryce-harper-phillies-astros-dodgers-world-series#:~:text=The%20Dodgers%20offered%20Harper%20a,sought%20a%20long%2Dterm%20home.|title=Bryce Harper Passed on Dodgers' record Offer for Long-Term Contract|website=Los Angeles Times |date=November 2022 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/03/01/bryce-harper-passed-dodgers-contract-offer-45-million-year|title=Bryce Harper Passed On Dodgers Offer Worth $45M Per Year, Other Lucrative Contracts|newspaper=Sports Illustrated }} Despite the offer from the Dodgers, Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on March 2, 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/bryce-harper-deal-with-phillies |title=Harper, Phils agree to 13-year deal |last=Zolecki |first=Todd |website=MLB.com |date=March 2, 2019 |access-date=July 21, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301025812/https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/bryce-harper-deal-with-phillies |archive-date=March 1, 2019 }}{{Cite web |title=Bryce Harper, Phillies agree to record-breaking $330 million free agent deal |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/bryce-harper-phillies-agree-to-record-breaking-330-million-free-agent-deal/ |access-date=March 2, 2019 |website=CBSSports.com|date=March 2, 2019 }} This deal set the record for the largest MLB contract until Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $430 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels.{{Cite news |last=O'Connell |first=Robert |date=March 21, 2019 |title=Baseball's Best Player Deserves More Than $430 Million |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/03/mike-trout-contract-los-angeles-angels-mlb/585430/ |access-date=April 11, 2019}} Harper chose to wear No. 3 with the club, as the number he wore with the Nationals (34) was being considered for retirement by the Phillies in honor of the late Roy Halladay.{{Cite web |last=Zolecki |first=Todd |date=March 2, 2019 |title=Phillies welcome Bryce Harper: 2 p.m. ET |url=https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/bryce-harper-to-wear-no-3-with-phillies |access-date=March 2, 2019 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB}} At his first press conference, Harper misspoke, saying, "We want to bring a title back to D.C." The Nationals went on to win the 2019 World Series in Harper's absence.{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2019 |title=Bryce Harper mistakenly said he wanted to bring a title to DC in his first Phillies press conference |website=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/bryce-harper-wants-to-bring-a-title-to-dc |access-date=June 27, 2021}}

File:Bryce Harper 1-on-1 interview with Ken Rosenthal.webm in 2019]]

Harper's first hit as a member of the Phillies was a 465-foot home run to the second deck of the right field bleachers at Citizens Bank Park on March 30, 2019, off Jesse Biddle of the Atlanta Braves.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2019/03/30/bryce-harpers-first-hit-with-the-phillies-was-a-mammoth-home-run/39279135/ |title=Bryce Harper's first hit with the Phillies was a monster home run |work=USA Today |last=Schwartz |first=Nick |date=March 30, 2019 |access-date=July 21, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331231125/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2019/03/30/bryce-harpers-first-hit-with-the-phillies-was-a-mammoth-home-run/39279135/ |archive-date=March 31, 2019 }} On August 15, 2019, Harper hit a walk-off grand slam against the Chicago Cubs.{{Cite web |last=Nesbitt |first=Andy |date=August 15, 2019 |title=Bryce Harper sprinted around the bases after his walk-off grand slam |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2019/08/15/bryce-harper-walk-off-grand-slam-sprint-around-bases-phillies/39968199/ |access-date=August 19, 2019 |website=usatoday.com}} On September 3, 2019, Harper would bat his 100th RBI of the season for the second consecutive year and was the first Philadelphia Phillies player since Ryan Howard in 2011 to hit for 100 RBIs or more in a season.{{Cite web |title=2011 Philadelphia Phillies Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2011.shtml |access-date=September 3, 2019 |website=baseball-reference.com}} However, the Phillies missed the playoffs, being eliminated officially on September 24 by losing to the eventual World Series champions and Harper's former team, the Washington Nationals.{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2019 |title=World Series: Bryce Harper trolled on Twitter after Nationals win World Series without him |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2021-mlb-mock-draft-pirates-take-prep-shortstop-no-1-vandys-kumar-rocker-and-jack-leiter-go-in-top-10/ |access-date=June 27, 2021}}

In March 2020, the MLB season was suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Feinsand |first=Mark |date=March 16, 2020 |title=Opening of regular season to be pushed back |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-of-regular-season-to-be-pushed-back |access-date=March 16, 2020 |website=MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball}} On May 15, Harper took to Instagram and suggested a potential 135-game season that would last from July through November.{{Cite web |last=Kahrl |first=Christina |date=May 16, 2020 |title=How realistic is Bryce Harper's 2020 MLB season plan? We break down his ideas |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29183702/how-realistic-bryce-harper-2020-mlb-season-plan-break-ideas |access-date=October 4, 2020 |website=ESPN.com}} MLB eventually settled on a 60-game season that began on July 24. Harper hit .268/.420/.542 with 13 home runs and 33 RBIs and led the majors with 49 walks during the season.

In 2021, Harper batted .309/.429/.615 with 35 home runs and 84 RBIs in 141 games. His slugging percentage led the major leagues. He also led the National League with 78 extra-base hits and tied for the major league lead with 42 doubles. He won his second career National League MVP award.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-phillies-bryce-harper-wins-2021-national-league-mvp-award-232023665.html|title=Bryce Harper wins 2021 NL MVP, earning his second award and first with Phillies|first=Liz|last=Roscher|website=Yahoo Sports|date=November 18, 2021|accessdate=November 18, 2021}} He is the second player in MLB history to win a league MVP with two different teams before the age of 30, joining Barry Bonds.

On May 12, Harper was diagnosed with a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow.{{cite web | last=Wright | first=Brian | title=Bryce Harper has UCL tear | website=MLB.com | date=May 13, 2022 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-has-ucl-tear | access-date=January 2, 2025}} He received a platelet-rich plasma injection to alleviate the pain on May 15, but was not allowed to throw in the outfield for at least six weeks.{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2022 |title=Harper, after injection in elbow, out of Phils' lineup |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33934290/bryce-harper-platelet-rich-plasma-injection-right-elbow-philadelphia-phillies-lineup |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}} He was used exclusively as a designated hitter to avoid further damage.{{cite web | last=Breen | first=Matt | title=Phillies' Bryce Harper will likely remain a DH until at least after the All-Star break | website=Inquirer.com | date=May 18, 2022 | url=https://www.inquirer.com/phillies/phillies-bryce-harper-designated-hitter-elbow-injury-20220518.html | access-date=January 2, 2025}} While playing against the San Diego Padres on June 25, Harper was hit by a pitch from Blake Snell. In the aftermath, Harper suffered a fractured left thumb and ruled out indefinitely.{{Cite web |date=June 26, 2022 |title=Harper on IL, out indefinitely with broken thumb |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34150306/philadelphia-phillies-outfielder-bryce-harper-leaves-game-early-apparent-right-hand-injury |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}} He underwent surgery on his thumb on July 6 with three pins being inserted to stabilize the area.

In August, Harper was designated to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Allentown, the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, as a final step in his rehabilitation stint from his thumb fracture in June. IronPigs' fans in Allentown greeted Harper's appearance enthusiastically, and Coca-Cola Park quickly sold out to its 10,100 capacity for Harper's appearance against the Gwinnett Stripers. In his August 23 appearance with the IronPigs, Harper homered twice.[https://www.phillyvoice.com/bryce-harper-rehab-assignment-lehigh-valley-ironpigs-fans-phillies-mlb-home-run-walk-off-hit/ "Lehigh Valley is embracing Bryce Harper for as long as he's there"], Philly Voice, August 25, 2022 The Phillies surged in the second half to reach the playoffs, their first appearance since 2011.

In the 2022 regular season, Harper batted .286/.364/.514 in 370 at bats, with 63 runs, 18 home runs, 65 RBIs, 7 sacrifice flies (6th in the NL), and 9 intentional walks (9th), as he had the ninth-highest salary in baseball ($27.5 million).{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml|title=Bryce Harper Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He played 90 games at DH, and eight games in right field.

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. With their advancement to the NLDS, Harper finally won a postseason series. He batted 8 for 16 in the NLDS against the defending champion Atlanta Braves, helping the Phillies win the series 3–1 and advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2010.

On October 23, 2022, during game 5 of the National League Championship Series, Harper hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning off of Padres right-handed reliever Robert Suárez. It would prove to be the game-winning hit, sending the Phillies to the 2022 World Series against the Houston Astros. At the end of the game, Harper was voted 2022 NLCS MVP.{{cite web | last=Casella | first=Paul | title=Bryce Harper 2022 NLCS MVP | website=MLB.com | date=October 28, 2022 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-2022-nlcs-mvp | access-date=January 2, 2025}}

During his first World Series, Harper went 4 for 20 at bats, scoring a run each in Games 1 and 3. Most notably, in Game 3, Harper hit the first of five homers from the Phillies against Lance McCullers, Jr., with the game tying the record for most home runs from a single team in one World Series game. The Phillies lost against the Astros four games to two.{{Cite web |title=2022 World Series - Houston Astros over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2022_WS.shtml |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

On November 23, 2022, Harper underwent Tommy John surgery for his ligament tear and was expected to be able to return as the Phillies' everyday designated hitter at around the All-Star break.{{Cite magazine |last=Selbe |first=Nick |date=November 23, 2022 |title=Bryce Harper Undergoes Tommy John Surgery |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/11/23/bryce-harper-undergoes-tommy-john-surgery |access-date=January 2, 2025 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} Harper rejoined the team earlier than expected, in early May, brandishing a large arm brace.{{cite web | last=Gonzalez | first=Alden | title=Harper hitless in return but 'excited to be back' | website=ESPN.com | date=May 3, 2023 | url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37238808/phillies-bryce-harper-goes-hitless-return-excited-back | access-date=January 2, 2025}} In July, Harper made his first career start as a first baseman.{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=R.J. |title=Phillies' Bryce Harper makes first MLB start at first base, flips into camera well to make catch vs. Guardians |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/phillies-bryce-harper-makes-first-mlb-start-at-first-base-flips-into-camera-well-to-make-catch-vs-guardians/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=July 22, 2023 |publisher=Paramount Global |access-date=August 10, 2023}} He has not played a game in the outfield since then.

On July 13, 2024, Harper reached the milestone of homering against every team in Major League Baseball, hitting a solo home run on a pitch by Austin Adams of the Oakland Athletics.{{cite web | title=MLB players to homer against all 30 teams | website=MLB.com | date=August 18, 2024 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-players-to-homer-against-all-30-teams | access-date=January 2, 2025}}

On May 16, 2025, Harper recorded his 1,000th RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates in an 8–4 Phillies comeback victory. He also became the fourteenth player in MLB history to reach 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 runs, and 1,000 walks before turning 33.{{Cite web |last=Zolecki |first=Todd |date=May 16, 2025 |title=MLB players to homer against all 30 teams |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-1000-rbis-phillies-win |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=MLB.com}}

Harper played for the United States U-18 baseball team in 2008, before he was drafted by the Nationals.{{cite web|url=https://www.usabaseball.com/news/topic/professional/nineteen-usa-baseball-alumni-in-2018-mlb-all-star-game-285659666 |title=Nineteen USA Baseball Alumni in 2018 MLB All-Star Game |publisher=USA Baseball |date=July 13, 2018 |accessdate=August 12, 2022}} In 2009, he represented the United States at the Pan American U-18 Baseball Championship, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, where the team won gold.{{cite news |last1=Carig |first1=Marc |title=The $750 million teens: The untold story of Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and the remarkable 2009 under-18 U.S. national team |url=https://theathletic.com/1199894/2019/09/23/the-750-million-teens-the-untold-story-of-bryce-harper-manny-machado-and-the-remarkable-2009-under-18-u-s-national-team/ |agency=The Athletic |date=September 23, 2019}}

On August 12, 2022, Harper announced that he would join the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, joining fellow Phillies J. T. Realmuto and Trea Turner.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Erin |date=August 12, 2022 |title=Phillies' Bryce Harper Commits to Team USA for 2023 World Baseball Classic |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10045229-phillies-bryce-harper-commits-to-team-usa-for-2023-world-baseball-classic |access-date=August 12, 2022 |publisher=Bleacher Report}} However, Harper was unable to play due to rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in the offseason.

Harper later expressed his hope that MLB players would be allowed to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles after it was announced in 2023 that baseball would return as a competition sport. "I'm going to be old at that point, so I don't know if they're going to want me on the team, but it's always a dream... I would love to put 'USA' on my chest and represent it at the highest level. I know the WBC, and everyone loves that and it's great for the game, but it's not the Olympics."{{cite web | last=Schoenfield | first=David | title=Harper has Olympic 'dream' if MLB players OK'd | website=ESPN.com | date=October 16, 2023 | url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38674853/phillies-bryce-harper-hopes-mlb-allows-players-olympics | access-date=January 2, 2025}}

{{div col}}

• 2× NL Most Valuable Player (2015, 2021)
• 8× MLB All-Star selection (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024)
• National League Rookie of the Year (2012)
• 2× NL Hank Aaron Award (2015, 2021)
• 4× Silver Slugger Award (2015, 2021, 2023, 2024){{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/mlb/phillies/news/philadelphia-phillies-superstar-earns-fourth-career-silver-slugger-award | title=Philadelphia Phillies Superstar Earns Fourth Career Silver Slugger Award | date=November 13, 2024 }}
• NLCS MVP (2022)
• ESPN MLB Person of the Year (2015)
• All-Star Futures Game selection (2011)
• Golden Spikes Award (2010)
• SWAC Player of the Year (2010)
• Baseball America High School Player of the Year (2009){{Cite web |last=Schwarz |first=Alan |date=May 15, 2010 |title=At 17, Baseball's Next Sure Thing: Bryce Harper |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/sports/baseball/16nationals.html |access-date=March 3, 2019 |website=The New York Times}}

{{div col end}}

Harper resides in Knoxville, Tennessee, relocating there during the 2023/2024 offseason.{{cite web |last=Raucoules |first=Gregory |date=July 5, 2023 |title=Report: MLB star Bryce Harper moving family to Knoxville |url=https://www.wate.com/sports/report-mlb-star-bryce-harper-moving-to-knoxville/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=WATE 6 News}} His father, Ron, is an ironworker in Las Vegas and his mother is Sherilyn Harper. Harper attributes his work ethic to the lessons he learned from watching his father: "I wanted to come out and I wanted to work hard because he worked hard. He did it for over 25 years."{{Cite news |last=Ortiz |first=Jorge L. |date=May 2, 2013 |title=Bryce Harper enlisted as AFL-CIO supporter |work=USA TODAY |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/nationals/2013/05/02/bryce-harper-afl-cio-organized-labor-video-father-work-ethic/2129865/ |access-date=February 18, 2014}} Harper's older brother, Bryan, also played in the Washington Nationals organization. While playing on different teams within the Nationals organization, the Harper brothers spoke by phone "almost every day" during the baseball season, according to Bryce.{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Chase |date=June 7, 2016 |title=BRYCE AND BRYAN HARPER: BROTHERS, BEST FRIENDS AND BASEBALL |agency=CSN Mid-Atlantic |url=http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-nationals/bryce-and-bryan-harper-brothers-best-friends-and-baseball |access-date=December 7, 2016}} When he was a youth in Las Vegas, he also played alongside Joey Gallo and Kris Bryant.

File:Bryce Harper Las Vegas 2023.jpg]]

Harper is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.{{Cite web |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |date=June 7, 2010 |title=Millions of dollars and thousands of headlines await 17-year-old slugger Bryce Harper, the presumptive No. 1 pick in next week's draft |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/draft2010/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=5248377 |access-date=June 22, 2012 |website=ESPN.com}} Though serving a mission is strongly encouraged for male members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are between the ages of 18 and 26, it is not required. In a 2016 interview, he said, "Coming up to the draft and trying to make that decision, I always thought that my Heavenly Father upstairs always just wanted me to be a walking Book of Mormon, you could say," [...] "I knew that I could touch a lot of people's lives playing and trying to be the best Mormon that I can be on and off the field."{{Cite news |last=Parker |first=Brandon |date=April 19, 2016 |title=MLB draft could throw a curve into Mormon baseball players' mission |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/mlb-draft-could-throw-a-curve-into-mormon-baseball-players-mission/2016/04/19/9d9b1d84-00b5-11e6-9d36-33d198ea26c5_story.html |access-date=March 5, 2019 |newspaper=Washington Post}}

Harper and his girlfriend Kayla Varner were engaged in 2014,{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Cara |date=May 31, 2014 |title=Nats' Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner engaged |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2014/05/31/nats-bryce-harper-and-kayla-varner-engaged/ |access-date=August 1, 2016 |issn=0190-8286}} but their wedding that was set for January 2015 did not take place.{{Cite news |last1=Andrews-Dyer |first1=Helena |last2=Heil |first2=Emily |last3=McKellogg |first3=JulieAnn |date=January 9, 2015 |title=Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner's January wedding didn't happen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2015/01/09/bryce-harper-and-kayla-varners-january-wedding-didnt-happen/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=August 1, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}} In July 2016, Kayla announced the couple's reconciliation and re-engagement.{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Scott |date=July 14, 2016 |title=Bryce Harper and Kayla Varner are engaged … again |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2016/07/14/bryce-harper-and-kayla-varner-are-engaged-again/ |access-date=August 1, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} They were married at the San Diego California Temple in December 2016.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2016 |title=Updated: Mike Rizzo is in California….Bryce Harper is now married! |url=http://www.talknats.com/2016/12/16/bryce-harper-married/ |access-date=December 17, 2016 |agency=Talk Nats}} Their first child, a son, was born in Las Vegas on August 22, 2019, while Harper was with his wife on paternity leave.{{Cite web |last=Breen |first=Matt |date=August 26, 2019 |title=Bryce Harper, wife Kayla announce birth of son Krew Aron |url=https://www.inquirer.com/phillies/bryce-harper-baby-name-krew-kayla-phillies-20190826.html |access-date=August 26, 2019 |website=www.philly.com}} Their second child, a daughter, was born in November 2020.{{Cite web |last=Hermann |first=Adam |date=November 22, 2020 |title=Bryce Harper, wife Kayla welcome second child, a girl |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/phillies/phillies-bryce-harper-wife-kayla-welcome-their-second-child-baby-girl |access-date=July 12, 2021 |website=NBCSports.com |language=en}} The Harpers' third child, a daughter was born in April 2024.{{Cite web |last=Fay |first=Laura |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper welcomes 3rd baby with wife Kayla - CBS Philadelphia |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-phillies-bryce-harper-3rd-baby-name/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} Harper recently announced their fourth pregnancy by debuting a blue colored bat, handed to him by Trea Turner, revealing that baby is a boy. {{Cite web |last=Mitman • • |first=Hayden |date=2025-04-15 |title=Phillies star Bryce Harper swings blue bat in gender reveal for new baby |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/mlb/phillies-slugger-bryce-harper-swings-blue-bat-in-gender-reveal-for-new-baby/6226064/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US}}

In 2018, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation renovated a baseball field in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and named it Bryce Harper Field.{{Cite news |last=Alex |first=Christopher |date=May 9, 2018 |title=Bryce Harper Field Dedicated at Takoma Rec |work=DC NorthStar |url=http://dcnorthstar.com/bryce-harper-field-dedicated-at-takoma-rec/ |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223231904/http://dcnorthstar.com/bryce-harper-field-dedicated-at-takoma-rec/ |url-status=dead }}

Harper is a fan of the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. He dropped the puck before a game in their inaugural season and put the Golden Knights' logo on his bat during their run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Cherston |first=Eric |date=May 22, 2018 |title=Bryce Harper is excited to cheer on the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Finals |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/bryce-harper-is-excited-to-cheer-on-the-vegas-golden-knights-in-the-stanley-cup-finals/c-277821708 |access-date=May 22, 2018 |website=Cut4}} After his first son's birth, the Vegas Golden Knights gifted him a personalized jersey.{{Cite web |last=Pickens |first=Pat |date=August 27, 2019 |title=Golden Knights help Harper welcome newborn son with personalized jersey |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/bryce-harper-son-vegas-golden-knights-jersey/c-308696946?tid=281396148 |access-date=August 29, 2019 |website=nhl.com}} Harper also grew up a fan of the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, but was converted into a Philadelphia Eagles fan after moving to Philadelphia.{{Cite web |last=Randhawa |first=Manny |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Bryce changed NFL allegiance after move for 'work thing' |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-narrates-opening-for-eagles-cowboys-game |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=MLB.com}}

Harper was featured in an episode of ESPN E:60.{{Cite web |last=Picker |first=David |date=August 12, 2009 |title=Bryce Harper faces pressure on his unprecedented path to Major League Baseball |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/e60/news/story?id=4388790 |access-date=August 17, 2010 |website=ESPN.com}} He was featured naked in ESPN's The Magazine 2015 Body Issue.{{Cite web |date=2015 |title=ESPN's The Magazine 2015 Body Issue |url=https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/13182502 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |website=ESPN |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures}} Harper has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on two occasions, the first in 2016 to play Catch Phrase with Fallon, Andy Samberg and Gigi Hadid, and the second in 2019 to play the video game MLB The Show 19 with Fallon, the latter of which featured Harper as the cover athlete.{{Cite web |last=Garro |first=Adrian |date=April 25, 2019 |title=Bryce Harper and Jimmy Fallon battle in home run derby |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/bryce-harper-and-jimmy-fallon-battle-in-home-run-derby |access-date=May 11, 2022 |website=MLB Cut4}} In 2016, Harper signed a 10-year extension with apparel company Under Armour, at the time the largest endorsement deal in history for a baseball player.{{Cite web |last=Rovell |first=Darren |author-link=Darren Rovell |date=May 3, 2016 |title=Source: Harper signs historic Under Armour deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/15451591/washington-nationals-star-bryce-harper-gets-new-deal-armour |access-date=September 7, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

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