Brett Harper
Encyclopedia
Brett David Harper is former a first baseman
in Minor League Baseball
who currently plays with the Yokohama BayStars
of the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He is the son of former Major Leaguer Brian Harper
.
Harper was drafted by the New York Mets
in the 45th round of the 2000 MLB Draft out of Scottsdale Community College
. He began his professional baseball career with the Kingsport Mets
in 2001 and remained in the Mets farm system through 2007, raising as high as Double-A where played with the Binghamton Mets
from 2004-2007. In 2004 with the St. Lucie Mets
he was named the team's MVP and named to the mid-season Florida State League
All-Star team, though he was unable to participate due to his promotion to Binghamton. In 2005, he finished third among all minor leaguers in home runs with 36 and he was again named to the FSL All-Star team. He also finished second in the FSL's home run derby.
In 2007 with Binghamton, Harper was named to the Eastern League Mid-season and post-season All-Star teams while hitting .296 with 24 home runs and 88 RBIs.
He was invited to spring training by the San Francisco Giants
in 2008 and spent the season with the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies
, hitting .315 with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs.
Harper began 2009 with the Las Vegas 51s
in the Toronto Blue Jays
system and hit .274 with 15 home runs in 79 games before he was released by the Blue Jays. He was quickly signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers
and assigned to the Albuquerque Isotopes
.
In June 2010 Harper signed a contract with the Yokohama BayStars for the remainder of the 2010 season with a club option for 2011.
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
in Minor League Baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
who currently plays with the Yokohama BayStars
Yokohama BayStars
The are a professional baseball team in the Japanese Central League. Home field is the Yokohama Stadium, located in central Yokohama. The clubhouse is located near the stadium....
of the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He is the son of former Major Leaguer Brian Harper
Brian Harper
Brian David Harper is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for teams in both the American and National Leagues during his 16-year career and is currently the manager of the Chicago Cubs' AA club, the Tennessee Smokies.-Minor leagues:Harper was drafted by the California Angels in...
.
Harper was drafted by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the 45th round of the 2000 MLB Draft out of Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College, is located in Salt River, Arizona, a suburb/rural area of Phoenix. Scottsdale Community College is a two-year college located on the eastern boundary of the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, on 160 acres of land belonging to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community...
. He began his professional baseball career with the Kingsport Mets
Kingsport Mets
The Kingsport Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Kingsport, Tennessee, United States. The team, which plays in the Appalachian League, is a Rookie League affiliate of Major League Baseball's New York Mets....
in 2001 and remained in the Mets farm system through 2007, raising as high as Double-A where played with the Binghamton Mets
Binghamton Mets
The Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
from 2004-2007. In 2004 with the St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
he was named the team's MVP and named to the mid-season Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
All-Star team, though he was unable to participate due to his promotion to Binghamton. In 2005, he finished third among all minor leaguers in home runs with 36 and he was again named to the FSL All-Star team. He also finished second in the FSL's home run derby.
In 2007 with Binghamton, Harper was named to the Eastern League Mid-season and post-season All-Star teams while hitting .296 with 24 home runs and 88 RBIs.
He was invited to spring training by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in 2008 and spent the season with the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
, hitting .315 with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs.
Harper began 2009 with the Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
in the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
system and hit .274 with 15 home runs in 79 games before he was released by the Blue Jays. He was quickly signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and assigned to the Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
.
In June 2010 Harper signed a contract with the Yokohama BayStars for the remainder of the 2010 season with a club option for 2011.