Bryce Harper To Debut At 1st Base Vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Bryce Harper has had a noteworthy season, and not just what he has been able to contribute on the field. Yes, he is still his superstar self, coming back from Tommy John surgery faster than any being in the known universe to help the Phillies on their quest for a 2nd straight playoff berth. He had a clutch hit this weekend against the San Diego Padres to help take 3 of 4 from the fumbling friars. But there has been a goal since before Harper even returned: to have him play the field again. Last year, he firmly entrenched himself in the DH spot when his elbow injury developed, and he has remained in that spot ever since.
That, though, has led to a blockage in the lineup, forcing Kyle Schwarber to play a below average left field. Now, though, it appears that Harper is finally ready to put a glove on his left hand and exit the dugout, not to create offense, but prevent it.
Since Rhys Hoskins went down with a torn ACL in Spring Training, there has been speculation that Harper could eventually play 1st base. It’s a less throwing intensive position, which makes it an easier transition back from Tommy John surgery, and there’s a clear need at the position. The 2-time MVP still had to go through significant rehab in order to be prepared to take the field in any capacity, though, and that has led us into mid-July. According to the Phillies, the time has finally come where Harper has cleared enough hurdles to head out to the infield and try his hand.
Bryce Harper will get his first start at first base in the Milwaukee series. Phillies haven’t said what day yet.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 16, 2023
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It’s a move that will allow Schwarber to return to his natural spot of DH (see: not fielding), but there are additional questions that come with a change to the infield. Mainly, can Harper even play 1st? The easy answer is “maybe”. Personally, I would respond “probably”. Harper initially came up as a catcher, clearly the toughest defensive position on the diamond. That doesn’t make 1st base easy, but it means that Harper has the athleticism to be able to play the infield. It doesn’t mean he will be good, but it means he has the tools to be. Harper has been working consistently on learning the ins and outs of the position, and his work ethic also points towards him figuring it out.
Yes, he is not necessarily a plus defender in the outfield, but who on this team is a plus defender at 1st? The best the Phillies have is serviceable, and it’s not a farfetched idea to say that Harper is able to also be serviceable. But that opens a secondary question: what do the Phillies do with Darick Hall? Hall returned from injury just before the All-Star break, but there are still questions about his ability to be an everyday player at the Major League level.
If Harper is your 1st baseman, does Hall simply become a left-handed bat off the bench? Is the more versatile Kody Clemens a better option to have on the roster? There are plenty of questions this move causes, but when the dust settles, the Philadelphia Phillies will be better off with Harper at 1st. There just may be some growing pains along the way.
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What About Juan Soto?
The last name they asked about was Juan Soto. He took a flight back to Philadelphia for this weekend’s Phillies-Padres series with the Phillies’ other All-Stars. His name has also been floated for the Phillies. Buster Olney did question whether he is actually on the market though.
“Unless there is a dramatic change with San Diego… I don’t see them putting Soto out there. It makes sense to me that they could. We haven’t seen anything that indicates they are close to an extension with Soto, who is a free agent after the 2024 season. If you are going to get the most value in return, now is the time to do it.
But the one thing that has been pointed out to me by executives of other teams is that the Padres will probably look at the offers from other teams for Soto and hold their nose. Wait a second, we are going to get 40% back on the dollar for what we gave up last year?
The perception in the industry is they really overpaid to get him last year. That will be a hard sell for the Padres owner. And there is enough talent there that it wouldn’t surprise me to see them try to play it out as long as they can because they are so committed after what they spent this year.”
Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres reacts during the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.
