Bryce Harper Hits First Major League Home Run

Bryce Harper became the youngest major leaguer to homer since 1998. Harper blasted a line drive to straightaway center field Monday night off San Diego Padres right-hander Tim Stauffer.  Harper became the youngest major leaguer to homer since 1998.

The 19-year-old Harper drove a 2-1 pitch to the grass backdrop just to the left of the 402-foot marker with two outs in the third inning.

Harper raced around the bases quickly and continued his sprint straight to the dugout, where he exchanged high-fives with teammates. As the crowd cheered, Harper came to the top of the dugout steps for a curtain call, thrusting his right index finger into the air. Bryce Harper’s first Major League homer helped the Nationals defeat the Padres, 8-5, at Nationals Park on Monday night.

He’s the youngest current player in the majors – and, at 19 years and 211 days old, the youngest to hit a homer since Adrian Beltre of the Los Angeles Dodgers was 19 years and 171 days old on Sept. 25, 1998, according to STATS LLC.