At the age of 22, Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper is the early favorite to win the 2015 National League Most Valuable Player award. However, he’s not ready to say that he is the best player on the planet.
One could argue that Harper has in fact been the best player in baseball this season. Through his first 45 games, the Nationals star has a slash line of .333/.471/.727 and has 16 home runs and 41 RBI. Harper leads the NL in home runs, walks, on-base percentage, slugging and OPS. Not only that, but he is also second in RBI and fourth in average.
Again, he is just 22 years old.
Some may be willing to say that Harper is currently the best player in baseball. Haper’s not ready to say that—because there’s this guy named Mike Trout.
Harper and Trout will forever be linked together in baseball history because they both had sensational rookie seasons in 2012, resulting in the two capturing their respective league’s Rookie of the Year award. Harper, a two-time All-Star, has had a solid career thus far. Trout, on the other hand, is off to a legendary start. The Angels star has made three All-Star teams, won an American League MVP award and finished runner-up twice.
Both young stars are having great 2015 seasons. However, Harper, per ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick, doesn’t believe that there is a debate as to who is the best player in baseball.
Baseball is always, ‘What have you done for me lately?’ That’s just how the game works. I still believe Trout is the best player in the game, hands down. It’s not about taking a backseat to anybody. I love seeing Stanton hit homers or Kris Bryant do the things he does. I love watching Matt Harvey or Gerrit Cole or Noah Syndergaard come up and throw 100 mph. I cheer for guys. I’ve always been that way.
Harper is having a slightly better statistical season than Trout. However, until he enjoys this kind of success for more than one season, he’s not going to put himself in the same conversation as Trout.
*All stats are via MLB.com
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com