Ryne Harper

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Ryne Harper

|image = Ryne Harper (50341448278).jpg

|caption = Harper with the Washington Nationals in 2020

|team =

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|3|27}}

|birth_place = Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = March 31

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Minnesota Twins

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = October 2

|finalyear = 2021

|finalteam = Washington Nationals

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 5–4

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.67

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 106

|teams =

Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2019}})
Washington Nationals ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}})

}}

Ryne Richard Harper (born March 27, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals.

Amateur career

Harper attended Clarksville High School in Clarksville, Tennessee. He played college baseball at Austin Peay State. In 2011, his senior year, he went 6-2 with a 4.62 ERA over 48.2 innings.{{Cite web |date=2011-06-08 |title=Dobbs, Ryne Harper selected in MLB First-Year Draft, two signees also picked |url=https://letsgopeay.com/news/2011/6/8/75932.aspx |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Austin Peay State University Athletics |language=en}}

Professional career

=Atlanta Braves=

Harper was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 37th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web |title=Ryne Harper |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=harper000ryn |access-date=March 23, 2019 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

In his debut season of 2011 he played for the GCL Braves and the Danville Braves, going a combined 3-0 with a 0.59 ERA in 30.1 innings. He split the 2012 season between the Rome Braves and the Lynchburg Hillcats, going a combined 2-3 with a 2.73 ERA in 69.1 innings. His 2013 season was spent with the Mississippi Braves, going 6-3 with a 2.77 ERA in 55.1 innings. In 2014, he once again spent the season with the Mississippi Braves, going 9-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 76.2 innings. After the 2014 regular season, Harper played for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League. He split the 2015 season between the Rome Braves and the Mississippi Braves, combining to go 0-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 35.1 innings. During the 2015 off-season, Harper played for the Cañeros de Los Mochis of the Mexican Pacific Winter League.

=Seattle Mariners=

On December 11, 2015, Harper was sent to the Seattle Mariners to complete an earlier trade for José Ramírez.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Stephen |date=2015-12-11 |title=Seattle Mariners add minor league reliever Ryne Harper |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/Seattle-Mariners-add-minor-league-reliever-Ryne-6692153.php |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |language=en}} Harper spent the 2016 season with the Jackson Generals, going 4-5 with a 3.04 ERA in 68 innings. He split the 2017 season between the Arkansas Travelers and the Tacoma Rainiers, combining to go 4-2 with a 3.35 ERA in 53.2 innings. Harper was called up to the majors for the first time on May 28, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Divish |first=Ryan |date=2017-05-28 |title=Mariners call-up reliever Ryne Harper from Class AAA Tacoma |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-call-up-reliever-ryne-harper-from-class-aaa-tacoma/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} He was outrighted on June 17, 2017 without making an appearance. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.

=Minnesota Twins=

File:Ryne Harper (33684695428) (cropped).jpg

On February 2, 2018, Harper signed a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-jan-26-feb-1-2018/|author=Eddy, Matt|website=BaseballAmerica.com|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=February 6, 2018|title=Minor League Transactions}} He split the 2018 season between the Chattanooga Lookouts and the Rochester Red Wings, combining to go 1-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 65 innings. During the 2018 off-season, Harper played in two games for the Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan Winter League.

In 2019, Harper received a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training.{{Cite press release |title=Twins announce 2019 Spring Training invites |date=2019-02-09 |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/twins-announce-2019-spring-training-invites-303743452 |language=en-US |last= |first= |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=MLB.com}} Harper made the Twins' Opening Day roster out of spring training.{{cite web |last=Neal III |first=La Velle E. |date=March 26, 2019 |title=Twins announce 2019 Roster |url=http://www.startribune.com/twins-roster-nearly-set-as-ryne-harper-makes-the-team/507633762/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326142717/http://www.startribune.com/twins-roster-nearly-set-as-ryne-harper-makes-the-team/507633762/ |archive-date=2019-03-26 |website=Star Tribune}} He made his major league debut on March 31, 2019, versus the Cleveland Indians, recording one scoreless inning of relief.{{cite web |date=2019-03-31 |title=Minnesota Twins box score 3/31/19 |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/indians-vs-twins/2019/03/31/566964#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=566964 |access-date=March 31, 2019 |work=mlb.com}} He got his first career save on May 28, 2019, against the Milwaukee Brewers.

On August 24, 2019, the Twins assigned Harper to the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings. He finished 4-1 with an ERA of 3.81 in 61 games for Minnesota. Harper was designated for assignment by the Twins on January 24, 2020.

=Washington Nationals=

Harper was traded to the Washington Nationals on January 29, 2020, for minor league pitcher Hunter McMahon.{{cite news|url=https://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2020/01/nats-acquire-reliever-harper-from-twins-for-recent-draft-pick.html|agency=MASN Sports|title=Nats acquire reliever Harper from Twins for recent draft pick|date=January 29, 2020|first=Mark|last=Zuckerman}} In 2020, Harper was 1–0 with a 7.61 ERA over {{frac|23|2|3}} innings.

On November 30, 2021, Harper was non-tendered by the Nationals, making him a free agent.{{cite web|last1=Franco|first1=Anthony|title=National League Non-Tenders: 11/30/21|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/national-league-non-tenders-11-30-21.html|website=MLB Trade Rumors|publisher=|date=November 30, 2021|access-date=November 30, 2021}}

=Wild Health Genomes=

On April 21, 2022, Harper signed with the Wild Health Genomes of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web |title=Ryne Harper Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/ryne-harper-607560 |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} Harper struggled to a 6.94 ERA in 20 appearances, striking out 31 in 23.1 innings pitched before he was released on July 4.

On August 9, 2023, Harper confirmed his retirement from baseball.{{Cite web |title=Ryne Harper on going from Major League Baseball to Clarksville real estate |url=https://clarksvillenow.com/local/ryne-harper-on-going-from-major-league-baseball-to-clarksville-real-estate-podcast/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |website=ClarksvilleNow.com |language=en}} He has since gone on to work as a real estate agent.{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://ryneharperrealtor.com/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=ryneharperrealtor.com |language=en-US}}