Jun 20, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (3) gives a thumbs up after hitting a single during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — There’s a first for everything and for Bryce Harper that means a new position.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson suggested the team is weighing the possibility of having Bryce Harper make his debut at first base prior to the All-Star break.
Harper has only DH’d since returning from Tommy John surgery, but it seems that might change next week.
The Phillies have nine games left before the break, and after Harper went through a full infield practice this week in Chicago the team is considering bumping up the timeline.
“It was really good, I mean really good,” Thomson said. “I don’t want to put a timeline on it, I really don’t, because part of it is him being comfortable, too. But it’s coming pretty quick.”
If Harper starts playing some first, it’s likely that Kyle Schwarber, who’s analytically been the worst defensive player in MLB, will see time at DH.
“I think everybody has to understand too that the speed of the game is different than just taking groundballs,” the Phillies manager explained. “There are a whole bunch of situations that come that he’s going to have to work through and learn from mistakes. They’re going to happen, trust me, that’s just natural.”
The two-time NL MVP has never made a start at first base at any level of pro ball, but if he’s able to handle the assignment it will greatly help Thomson’s game-to-game lineup construction.
