Can Harper Hit 500? Phillies Legend Says 'Absolutely'

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper is quickly closing in on 300 home runs, but a Phillies legend already had his eye on another milestone for Harper — 500 home runs.

That legend should know. He’s a part of the 500 club.

“Bryce? Absolutely. Are you kidding,” Mike Schmidt said to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “He’ll hit 30, 35 a year and he’ll be there in about six years.”

Harper is sitting on 298 career home runs. With three more, he’ll reach 300 for his career, the same exact number as another former Phillies player — Chuck Klein. Nicknamed the ‘Hoosier Hammer,’ he played 15 of his 17 seasons from 1928-44 with the Phillies. The 1932 National League MVP is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

So is Schmidt, who played his entire 18-year career with the Phillies. He won a World Series ring in 1980, along with earning three NL MVPs, 12 All-Star Game nods, 10 Gold Gloves at third base and six Silver Slugger Awards.

Schmidt hit his 500th home run in his 16th MLB season (1987). By his standards, it was his last truly productive year, as he hit 35 home runs and 113 RBI. The injuries that he managed for the latter part of his career caught up with him in 1988 and 1989, when hit a combined 18 home runs in 150 games.

Schmidt finished his career with 548 home runs. That puts him at No. 16 all-time, and he’s one of 28 players with 500 or more home runs.

Harper is already in his 12th MLB season and turns 31 in October. Once he reaches 300, he could accelerate up the list quickly. Reaching 300 would put him among the top 160 home run hitters of all time.

Reaching 400 home runs would put Harper among the Top 60. Moving up to 500 would put him among the Top 30.

It can be done, Schmidt says. He’s the example, as the Inquirer points out.

Schmidt reached 300 home runs at age 31 and in his 10th season. He reached 500 in his 16th season. For nine straight seasons (1979-87) Schmidt hit at least 30 home runs.

If Harper duplicated Schmidt’s 300-to-500 pace he would join the 500 club in 2029. Schmidt believes the new universal DH will help Harper as his career progresses, especially when managing injuries. The Phillies have used Harper almost exclusively as a DH since he injured the UCL in his right arm in 2022.

“You just go out and do your thing. You’re not counting yourself,” Schmidt said. “In my case, I was lucky enough to be 30 here, 36 here, a couple 40, then 400 came along, and the same old thing. You keep banging them and play hard every year and you’re lucky to avoid injury. The next thing you know, you begin to approach that number. It just happens.”

Schmidt said he hopes he’s around to shake Harper’s hand when he reaches the feat.

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