Bryce Harper named NL Rookie of the Month

Washington Nationals' 19-year-old centerfielder Bryce Harper was named National League Rookie of the Month for September.

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. 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. The 19-year-old added seven doubles, three triples and 14 RBI to his monthly totals along with four stolen bases.

It was an historic month for Washington's young star: 

On September 30th, Harper clubbed his 22nd homer of the season, the second highest single-season total by a teenager in Major League history behind Tony Conigliaro's 24 home runs as a Red Sox rookie in 1964. With 97 runs this season, Harper has already scored more than any rookie in franchise history, including its Montreal roots. He joins Nomar Garciaparra (Boston, 1997) as the only rookies in the modern era to post at least 90 runs, nine triples, 20 home runs and 15 stolen bases. Harper, who also garnered Rookie of the Month honors in May, becomes the first rookie in franchise history to earn the award twice in a single season.

Thanks in no small part to Harper's big hits and timely fielding this year and this past month, the Nationals clinched their first NL East division championship yesterday. Harper will make his next memories in the playoffs with his teammates.