Bryce Harper’s debut with the Washington Nationals got here with an infinite quantity of fanfare and exceptionally excessive expectations. The previous first total choose within the 2010 draft had carried these excessive expectations ever since he first appeared on the radar of scouts in highschool.
Harper did not disappoint. He hit .270/.340/.477 (118 OPS+) in his first full season within the majors, at 19 years of age, and wound up successful the NL Rookie of the 12 months Award.
Juan Soto’s debut got here six years later. Soto had been a global novice free-agent discover almost three years earlier and did not fairly carry the identical notoriety that Harper did upon his arrival. Nonetheless, it was a giant second when the 19-year-old debuted in left area.
Soto additionally did not disappoint. He batted .292/.406/.517 (142 OPS+) in that first full season. Soto completed second in Rookie of the 12 months voting behind Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr.
Harper and Soto every hit 22 house runs throughout these first seasons with the Nationals. Neither appeared in a full 162 video games. Harper obtained into 139. Soto performed in 116.
Harper and Soto every obtained off to fast begins of their sophomore seasons. Via their first 162 profession video games, they every smashed 31 house runs. The mark stays an organizational file (even together with the historical past of the Montreal Expos).
James Wooden matched that file on Monday. Washington’s 22-year-old left fielder hit a three-run homer within the eighth inning in opposition to the San Diego Padres that ricocheted off the suitable area foul pole. It was Wooden’s thirty first house run in 158 profession video games.
