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How Bryce Harper’s 2021 compares to his 2015 MVP season

By Gabrielle Starr

Sep 2, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) reacts during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) reacts during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies Bryce Harper Freddie Freeman
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

How does Bryce Harper’s 2021 performance compare to Freddie Freeman’s 2020 MVP season?

Freddie Freeman is not only in the conversation for NL MVP this season, he’s also the defending/reigning NL MVP.

Playing in all 60 games of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Freeman slashed .341/.462/.640 with a 1.102 OPS. He led MLB in runs scored (51) and doubles (23), hit 13 home runs, and drove in 53.

In nearly twice the number of games this season, Harper is close to Freeman’s MVP numbers from last year. In a shortened season, Freeman never had the time to cool off, so like comparing Harper to his former self, it’s more apples to oranges than apples to apples.

This season, however, Freeman leads the NL in plate appearances (572) and runs scored (95) and has a couple more homers than Harper, but the Phillies star has him beat in doubles, stolen bases, walks, average, on-base, and of course, leads everyone in OPS and OPS+.

Unless we’re deciding the NL MVP the way we decide the Home Run Derby, this isn’t Freeman’s year.

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