Four years ago, Bryce Harper and Mike Trout became linked

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On April 28, 2012, two players who have turned out to be among the best in baseball reached the major leagues for good.

Bryce Harper made his major league debut April 28, 2012. He went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

#TBT To the day I got the call..To tell you the truth all I remember from that night besides enjoying it with my family, friends, and teammates was @therealmattkemp hitting an absolute blast to walk us off! #2012 #Nationals

A photo posted by Bryce Harper (@bharper3407) on Apr 28, 2016 at 10:13am PDT

Mike Trout played in 40 games in 2011 but began 2012 with Triple-A Salt Lake. After hitting .403 in 20 games there to start the season, Trout received his second call-up to the big leagues — and this one stuck. Trout was hitless April 28, 2012, and had one hit in three April games, but he picked up the pace in May, with five home runs, 15 RBIs and a .324 batting average.

Those two went on to win Rookie of the Year honors in their respective leagues that season. Since then? Trout was voted the 2014 American League MVP. Harper was the unanimous choice as the National League MVP last year.

Sudden impact

Highest WAR, age 22-or-younger season, since 1900

Age2012Mike Trout10.8201941Ted Williams10.6222015Bryce Harper9.9221917Rogers Hornsby9.921

On April 28 of this season, Harper’s Washington Nationals play the Philadelphia Phillies, and Trout’s Los Angeles Angels are off.

These two posted two of the four highest Wins Above Replacement totals in a player’s age 22-or-younger season. Harper did so last year.

A look back at what they have …

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