Phillies OF Bryce Harper ranks in the top-3 of most popular MLB jersey sales
Philadelphia Phillies star outfielder Bryce Harper may be near the end or the second year of 13 as part of his then-record $330 million contract. Yet, his popularity still appears to be among the best in Major League Baseball as it relates to player jersey sales.
On Friday, MLB released its top-10 most popular player jersey sales. Harper’s jersey ranks as the third most popular, trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts and the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge.
Outfielder Juan Soto, who essentially replaced Harper on the Washington Nationals roster, comes in at No. 5, followed by perennial Cy Young Award candidate Max Scherzer at No. 7. Rising Atlanta Braves outfield star Ronald Acuna Jr. rounds out the list at No. 10. No New York Mets player nor Miami Marlins player made the top 10.
Top-10 most popular MLB player jersey sales in 2020:
- Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Aaron Judge, New York Yankees Yankees
- Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
- Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
- Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
- Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
- Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
- Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
Shortly after signing his contract with the Phillies in March 2019, Harper quickly rose to No. 1 in jersey sales. It appears he still is drawing the attention among fans — part of which also has to do with his long-term commitment to donning a Phillies uniform for what will likely be the rest of his playing career. Of course, what is there not to like about the powder blue throwbacks?
Harper, 27, is slashing .256/.411/.533 this season spanning 55 games and 232 plate appearances. His 47 walks leads all of Major League Baseball, while his eight stolen bases ranks as the ninth-most in the National League. The Las Vegas, Nevada, native has slugged nine doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, and 30 RBI, while only striking out 41 times.
The Phillies have just three games remaining this season and are currently out of the postseason picture. If the team is to reach the postseason for the first time since 2011, Harper will likely have to play a significant role in the final games this weekend opposite the Tampa Bay Rays.