Top 25 MLB players under 25

24 of 25

Oct 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) loses his helmet as he runs to third base on an RBI single hit by second baseman Daniel Murphy (not pictured) during the fifth inning during game two of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Bryce Harper

OF, Washington Nationals

Birthday: October 16, 1992 (Age: 24)
Career Statistics: .279/.382/.501, 121 HR, 334 RBI, 412 R, 58 SB, 21.4 WAR
2016 Statistics: .243/.373/.441, 24 HR, 86 RBI, 84 R, 21 SB, 1.6 WAR
2012 NL Rookie of the Year, 4-time All-Star, Silver Slugger
2015 NL MVP

Bryce Harper has been on the national radar since he was in high school, and earned superstar status when he put together an MVP season in 2015 at the age of 22. Harper’s 2015 was one of the most impressive seasons in recent memory as he hit .330 with a major league best .460 on-base percentage, .649 slugging percentage and 1.109 OPS. Harper also led the National League in home runs (42) and runs scored (118) and drove in 99 runs.

Such a tremendous season would usually be enough to put Harper atop our list, but the slugger took a step back in 2016. His average dropped nearly 90 points, and his OPS fell almost 200 and he hit 18 fewer homers. Harper stole more bases (21), hit one more triple (2), and led majors in intentional walks (20), but every other major stat fell. Whispers of an injury were rampant, though were never confirmed, and Harper played in 147 games.

Regardless of whether or not he was full speed in 2016, the sky is still the limit for Harper. The 24-year old is off to a great start in 2017. He hit seven home runs in spring training, and with his homer Monday, Harper became the first 24-year old to hit five Opening Day long balls.

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