The Phillies have had unfortunate luck when it comes to first base. Original starter Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL in a spring training matchup against the Detroit Tigers. Darick Hall, Hoskins’ replacement, later tore a ligament in his thumb sliding in second base during a matchup against the New York Yankees. Hoskins remains optimistic for a playoff return. Hall is expected to miss two months after a successful surgery, according to the team. That left the Phillies thin at the position, though it seems like it won’t be that way for long, thanks to Bryce Harper.
Phillies outfielder and designated hitter Harper is learning how to play first base as he progresses through rehab, per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
To start the season, the first base position has been a revolving door. Phillies manager Rob Thomson has implemented lineups consisting of Kody Clemens and Alec Bohm at first base. Clemens gets the start when facing right handers, and Alec Bohm when facing left handers. So far, it hasn’t seemed to be very effective, as the Phillies stand at 4-8, 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves.
While Harper learning first base could be beneficial, it won’t speed up his return to the lineup. It could, however, speed up his return to the field. Harper is still looking at a late-May return to the designated hitter position. However, if Harper were to play the first base position, it would provide flexibility for Thomson when creating the lineups. He would be able to shift one of Kyle Schwarber or Nick Castellanos to the full-time DH spot, and possibly have Jake Cave or Cristian Pache supersede the vacant outfield position.
According to Gelb, Harper was the one who initiated the thought of this possibility. He stepped in to Thomson’s office and brought up the idea.
“Full go,” Thomson said to Harper , via Gelb.
The idea was briefly thought of when the Phillies posted a picture of Harper fielding ground balls with a first-base mitt on. It caught the eyes of fans and reporters. When asked about the idea by a group of reporters, Thomson dismissed it, saying he was just getting in “drill work.” However, it is now known that Thomson was just keeping it under wraps.
Harper just wants to play ball, and he is currently on a mission to beat any timeline that was set for him.
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