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Atlanta Braves free agent profile: Bryce Harper

By Benjamin Chase

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 04: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals gets ready to bat in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during game one of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on August 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 04: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals gets ready to bat in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during game one of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on August 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
ATLANTA – APRIL 7: Andruw Jones #25 of the Atlanta Braves hits a solo home run during the game against the Florida Marlins at Turner Field on April 7, 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves won 3-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Historical ranks

While the media circus around Harper has been extensive throughout his career, and as a rival, that has likely rubbed multiple Atlanta Braves fans the wrong way, it is integral to recognize exactly what Harper has accomplished before his age-26 season, which would be 2019, having just turned 26 in October.

When you begin to look at where Harper ranks among players through their age-25 seasons, one name continues to rank very near Harper – former Atlanta Braves outfielder Andruw Jones.

Indeed, through his age 25 season, Andruw hit .267/.342/.491 with 981 games played, 3,971 plate appearances, 574 runs, 940 hits, 188 doubles, 23 triples, 185 home runs, 559 RBI, and 114 stolen bases, with a 112 OPS+.

Harper thus far has produced a .279/.388/.512 line over 927 games and 3,957 plate appearances. He’s tallied 610 runs, 922 hits, 183 doubles, 18 triples, 184 home runs, 521 RBI, 75 stolen bases, and a 139 OPS+.

Though Harper’s pure hitting ability would dwarf Andruw’s on a rate basis, Andruw’s elite defense leaves his career bWAR through his age-25 season at 37.6 while Harper has managed 27.4. Of course, a large part of that is Andruw’s dWAR, which is 20 wins higher than Bryce’s. Bryce does have the higher peak season, however, as his 9.1 bWAR in his 2015 MVP season was nearly a full win better than any season Andruw would have in his entire career.

So, for Atlanta Braves fans to measure, imagine Andruw Jones hitting free agency at age 26 instead of having negotiated an extension with John Schuerholtz on his own before his age-25 season.

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