Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper Named NL Rookie Of The Month For September.

For the second time this season, 19-year-old Washington Nationals' outfielder Bryce Harper was named the NL Rookie of the Month for the month of September. The Nats' rookie was also named Rookie of the Month in May.

19-year-old Washington Nationals' 2010 no.1 overall pick Bryce Harper made his MLB debut on April 28, 2012 in LA's Dodger Stadium. In his first month in the majors in May, the rookie outfielder posted a .271/.355/.505 line with five doubles, four triples, four home runs and 21 runs in 28 games and 121 plate appearances, earning himself the NL Rookie of the Month Award. As the Nats' press release announcing the award acknoweldged, in May, Harper, "... led National League rookies in runs scored, triples, extra-base hits (13), OPS (.860) and isolated power (.234)."

Harper had a strong June as well, putting up a .274/.336/.443 line with six doubles, four home runs and 15 runs scored in 25 games and 116 PAs. A four double, one home run, .222/.306/.313 July followed, however, and after that a .243/.292/.456 August in which Harper hit two doubles and six home runs while scoring 18 runs in 27 games and 115 PAs. Harper's isolated power (ISO) also dropped considerably from .234 in that award-winning May to .170 in June and 0.90 in July before bouncing back up to .214 in August and then .321 in September.

During the month of September overall, Harper figured things out, turning his second-half around with a .330/.402/.651 month in which he hit eight doubles, three triples and seven home runs while scoring a season-high (for a one month period) 26 runs in 29 games and 123 plate appearances. In recognition of what he accomplished in the final month of the season, Harper received his second NL Rookie of the Month Award today.

'In 28 September contests, Harper led the Majors with 26 runs scored while ranking second among all National Leaguers with a .651 slugging percentage and 69 total bases," the latest press release on Harper's exploits noted, and, "... Harper's seven homers and 35 hits ranked first among N.L. rookies, while his .330 (35-for-106) batting average was good for second."

Thanks in some part to what Bryce Harper was able to do in September, the rookie outfielder's first postseason game will take place at some point this weekend.