Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper, known for his hitting prowess, once showcased impressive skills as a pitcher during his youth. A recently shared video from Pastime Tournaments revealed Harper dominating on the mound at just 12 years old, surprising many of his fans. The two-time MVP’s early baseball journey hints at a very different path he might have taken, had he continued as a pitcher rather than focusing primarily on hitting.
The clip stirred strong reactions online, with viewers expressing disbelief over Harper’s teenage pitching strength and size. Harper already stood an impressive 6 feet 1 inch tall at age 12, which added to the astonishment around his early physical development.
“Bryce Harper at 12 years old was something else,” the post was captioned.
“See kids, it doesn’t always work out. He never pitched in the Majors,” a fan wrote.
“I knew he could hit, never knew he could pitch,” another fan wrote.
“6ft 1in. At 12 then don’t grow anymore that’s crazy,” wrote a fan.
Fans were especially amazed by Harper’s height and growth, sparking conversations about his physical maturity at such a young age.
“Thats crazy you only grew 1 more inch after 12,” exclaimed a fan.
“What? So he stopped growing at 12? Literally the only human to max out in 7th grade,” wrote a surprised fan.
Despite his early pitching talent, Harper’s path shifted. While highly regarded for his bat in high school, he appeared on the mound only once during his college baseball tenure at the College of Southern Nevada before fully committing to hitting at the professional level.
Harper Draws Motivation from Phillies’ Zack Wheeler’s Recovery
The Philadelphia Phillies recently faced a challenge when their ace pitcher, Zack Wheeler, underwent surgery to address a blood clot. Wheeler’s absence could have weakened the team, but instead, it sparked a winning streak, as the Phillies secured four consecutive victories without their star player.
Bryce Harper reflected on how Wheeler’s health struggle strengthened the team’s resolve to perform better together on the field.
“Obviously, when you have a player that’s going through something that’s way bigger than the game and everything else, kind of makes you want to win a little bit more for him,” Harper said. “I don’t know if it helped us, but we’re playing good baseball right now. We got to keep doing that.”
This season, Harper has produced a .263 batting average alongside 21 home runs and 60 RBIs, helping the Phillies maintain a commanding lead in the National League East. Philadelphia currently holds a 74-54 record, standing six games ahead of the New York Mets in second place.
What Harper’s Youthful Pitching Footage Means Going Forward
The rare glimpse of Bryce Harper pitching at age 12 reminds fans of the versatile athletic talent he possesses. While Harper ultimately chose to excel as a hitter, this footage has deepened appreciation for his skill set and physical attributes from a young age. As the Phillies continue their playoff push, Harper’s leadership and resolve, fueled partly by the team’s response to Wheeler’s injury, could prove crucial to their success in the final stretch of the season.