Copy linkEmailFacebookWhatsAppXLinkedInBlueskyThreadsImpact Link
SaveSaved
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider
subscribers. Become an Insider
and start reading now.Have an account? .
Getty Images/Christian Petersen
Teenage phenom Bryce Harper's time in the big leagues has finally arrived.
2012-04-30
Harper made his highly-anticipated debut in the outfield with the Washington Nationals over the weekend.
Despite a poor start at AAA Syracuse, Harper got a chance with the big club sooner than expected after third baseman Ryan Zimmerman went down with an injury.
From the time MLB scouts began attending his games, Harper has been mentioned in the same breath as some of the game's biggest stars (A-Rod, Griffey, et al).
Not even 20 years old yet, many think Harper has a lot of maturing to do before he can hit the big time, though.
Regardless, his first two games in the majors were solid enough (2-for-6, 1 RBI, good defense) to show that there's plenty of promise in this 19-year-old star.
Bryce Harper was always destined for baseball stardom, as he routinely won awards growing up in Nevada
Harper then tore it up at College of Southern Nevada (.443 AVG, 31 HR, 98 RBI), winning the award for best amateur baseball player in preparation for the 2010 MLB Draft
Washington obviously drafted him for his enormous potential on the field, but Harper's "arrogance," "sense of entitlement," and taunting of opponents for such a young player were still major red flags for some scouts
He posted huge minor league and spring training numbers in 2010 and 2011, respectively, but the Nats didn't speed up his development and kept him in the farm system through the end of the year
Harper hit a bit of a snag at the beginning of his 2011 minor league season before it was discovered he needed contact lenses. He hit .480 in the 20 games after
Harper's arrogance drew national attention in summer 2011 when he blew a kiss at an opposing pitcher after staring at his home run shot <em>way</em> too long
He followed up that childish act by getting in an umpire's face later that summer after not liking a third strike call
Controversy and all, the Nats desperately needed some help in the lineup after third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was put on the DL, so Harper was called up to the big leagues April 27, 2012
