Phillies: 38 player milestones to watch for in 2020 season
By Matt Rappa
Bryce Harper
(223) – 230 home runs
The nine-year veteran Harper and former No. 1 overall pick by the Washington Nationals in the 2010 amateur draft is bound to always approach a career milestone. He has a good chance to reach and eclipse at least five in the shortened 2020 season, starting with home runs.
After already slugging four home runs through 16 games, Harper needs just seven more to reach 230 for his career. Only 24 active players currently have 230 or more home runs in their respective careers, one of which includes fellow Phillies corner outfielder Jay Bruce (315) — who trails only Albert Pujols (659), Miguel Cabrera (481), Edwin Encarnacion (416), Nelson Cruz (407), Ryan Braun (344), and Robinson Cano (326) on the active leaderboard.
Harper needs just one more home run to reach 40 while donning red pinstripes; 184 of his current 223 career home runs came with the Nationals from 2012 to 2018.
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(647) – 650 RBI
(695) – 700 walks
(9,296 2/3) – 9,300 innings fielded as an outfielder
Harper achieving 650 career RBI could take as few as one more game played for him to reach the milestone, considering he has two three-RBI games already in 2020.
Likewise, it should not take long for Harper to walk five more times to reach 700 for his career. He has already walked 11 times across 16 games and 66 plate appearances this season.
Also, the six-time All-Star needs to field just 2 1/3 more frames to reach 9,300 all-time.
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(93) – 100 stolen bases
Harper has successfully stolen three bases this season, while yet to be caught. His three stolen bases ranks as ninth-most in the National League. Achieving 100 career stolen bases may be the milestone that is most difficult for Harper to achieve in 2020, but it could happen. In 2016, Harper set a single-season career high in stolen bases with 21 while with the Nationals.
Rhys Hoskins
(1,590) – 1,600 putouts as first baseman
The next-most achievable milestone for the four-year veteran Rhys Hoskins does not involve being at the plate, but rather in the field as a first baseman — a position he has had not really assumed full-time until the departure of Carlos Santana via a trade to the Seattle Mariners.
Hoskins needs to record just 10 more putouts at first base to reach 1,600 for his career.