Bryce Harper’s Former Teammate Lauds His Newfound Maturity While Hilariously Trolling His Attitude as a 19-Year-Old Rookie

Anytime a team wants to put a player in a different position, the question arises—can they do well there? In case you doubted it, Bryce Harper’s shift to first base did nothing to slow down his bat in 2024. He just got his fourth career Silver Slugger award. That is how you prove everyone wrong, no doubts left! Harper had earlier won awards in other roles, but not as first baseman. The first two were as an outfielder and one was as a DH in 2023. But Harper proved that his bat talks, no matter where he is on the field.

Harper hit 30 home runs, 42 doubles, 87 RBIs, 85 runs, seven stolen bases, and even earned an All-Star nod. He impressed everyone; well, he is earning the praise he deserves. But recently, his mentor, aka friend, called him a s**t h**d. The friend is none other than Jason Werth, whom he played with before he came to the Phillies.

Bryce Harper was a – You-Know-Who rookie

Bryce Harper’s journey from a rash rookie to the stellar superstar he is today is nothing short of legendary. His former teammate Jayson Werth even has stories to prove it. Harper, who now is a two-time MVP and one of the most revered sluggers in the game, wasn’t always like this. In fact, back at 19, when he stepped into the mound, he had a bit of a; you know who, rep. He has earned that reputation by ramming into the walls, getting tossed from the games, and basically giving everyone a hard time.

Werth didn’t hold back in talking about Bryce Harper’s reality at the Phillies show on YouTube. At first, he said, “Bryce has obviously just become an unbelievable human being.” But then Werth had the main line incoming: “He was such a [__].… it was a journey with Bryce.”  Well, it seems like he has had quite a high and low journey with Bruce Harper. But maybe that’s what molded Harper to be the person he is today. Now Harper has. 911 career OPS, 336 home runs, and a slugging percentage that ranks at the top of the NL. He has truly cemented his legacy!

Jayson Werth always knew Bryce Harper would fit in Phillies

Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth have a long history, and it’s rooted in friendship, mentorship, and those conversations that only those who have baseball as their life have. When Harper was drafted by the Nations at 19, Werth was his anchor. Werth was already an established outfielder, and his play at the Philadelphia Phillies, especially helping them with the 2008 World Series win, left a huge mark. But he moved to Washington, and there he met Harper. And he had that hunch that Harper would move to the Phillies, believe it or not!

When Bryce Harper’s free agency loomed, Werth recalled that he had a feeling that the Phillies would be the best team for him. According to him, the city’s spark just sits right with Harper. “I always thought this would be a possible destination for him, even way back when, for a bunch of reasons,” Werth mentioned. “Kind of where the team was, the money was right, the owner was right, the town’s right,” said Werth. But yes, he did clarify; he didn’t help Bryce make that decision.

However, Werth did mention that as players, they did talk about the stadium! Well, even that—he had plenty of hours ‘talking to this kid.’ Well, Harper is nothing but a younger brother to him, and he must be proven of the person he has become today! All for him, of course.