Philadelphia Phillies fans intrigued by first look at Bryce Harper working at first base ahead of return from injury: "How’s he going to throw?"
Showing that it wasn't just some passing fancy, injured Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper took grounders at first base Tuesday afternoon.
NBC Sports Philadelphia filmed Harper getting some reps at 1B before the Phillies played the Chicago White Sox in Tuesday's doubleheader.
The Phillies are desperate for a big stick at first base as their top two options are out injured. Harper is desperate to play and doesn't want to wait until the end of the summer to fully recover from Tommy John surgery so he can healthily play the outfield.
So, both parties began to dabble last week with Harper possibly playing first base. Tuesday's video shows that the notion appears to be gaining momentum.
Bryce Harper getting some reps in at 1st 👀
(via @NBCSPhilly)
https://t.co/AXyZ3SCPOi
The Phillies did not place Harper on the 60-day injured list as he recovers, meaning that he could return to the lineup and at least be the designated hitter by the end of May. However, the team is already using Kyle Schwarber in that role.
However, with usual starting first baseman Rhys Hoskins likely over due to a torn ACL suffered in spring training and Hoskins' understudy, Darick Hall, suffering a torn UCL a couple weeks ago, maybe Harper returning – at least temporarily – as a first baseman would work?
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly i’m not sure bryce knows how hard playing 1B is but we’ll see. hope he flashes some leather
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly Can’t get much worse than Rhys defensively
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly How’s he going to throw? Still gotta throw at 1B
Even if the move doesn't come to fruition for the Phillies, news that Harper is even attempting to give it a try in order to return to his team ASAP only makes his fans love him even more.
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly Why he in full gear? He not back for a while I thought?
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly He’s almost back
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly HE’S DRESSED?!?!?!?!?!!
The Philadelphia Phillies are using a platoon of third baseman Alec Bohm and minor league call-up Kody Clemens at first base. But using Bohm at first robs the team of its usual man at the hot corner, and Clemens is not fooling anyone into believing that he is a major league hitter.
Now, if Bryce Harper could take over at first base, that would solve a lot of problems. A gifted athlete who was drafted as a catcher, but quickly moved to the outfield by the Washington Nationals as he debuted in the majors, fans are optimistic that Harper could handle a move to first base with aplomb – although, of course, there are some critics.
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly as a coach for 20 years, this is some of the worst form i have ever seen. Luke Void needs to show him how it’s done in the field and at bat
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly Can’t get much worse than Rhys defensively
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly He will miss some only using glove hand like that.
Everyone's a critic. Guessing this guy's 13-year-old kid isn't recovering from Tommy John surgery.
@MLBONFOX @NBCSPhilly Soft toss? My 13U kids takes harder reps at 1B!
Philadelphia Phillies missing Bryce Harper in 2023
With Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies went to the World Series last season. Without him, they are 6-10 and already 6 1/2 games out of first place in the National League East.