Bryce Harper’s debut at first base appears to be imminent

Bryce Harper isn’t playing first base as the Philadelphia Phillies open up their second-half slate, but the two-time NL MVP could debut at a new defensive position before a four-game game weekend set with the San Diego Padres concludes.

In his pregame media session, Phillies manager Rob Thomson was asked how close Harper — who has been learning to play first base as he returns from Tommy John surgery — is to playing at that spot.

“Pretty close,” Thomson said.

Of course, Harper’s ability — or lack thereof — to play first base will determine how president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski operates in advance of the Aug. 1 trade deadline. So Harper playing at first base has to be really close. Like maybe this weekend?

“Possibly, yeah,” Thomson acknowledged.

Harper returned as a DH on May 2, a remarkable turnaround after having Tommy John surgery the day before Thanksgiving. In 56 games, Harper has produced a .290/.386/.400 slash line with a .786 OPS, which would be tremendous numbers for most hitters.

The seven-time All-Star, though, hasn’t hit a home run since May 25. Harper has hit some balls very hard in games, and in a move that was perhaps not a coincidence, put on a home run hitting clinic on June 30 in pregame batting practice as multiple media members looked on and recorded:

The haze makes it hard to see, but Bryce Harper just hit a ball over both bullpens out near Campos in batting practice. He’s putting on a clinic right now. pic.twitter.com/MbdnhRMRbs

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) June 30, 2023

The Phillies will eagerly await the return of Harper’s power in a game setting, but there’s a real belief that when he begins playing first base, he’ll be able to be a difference maker in the field as well.

“I think in time, he’s gonna be really good,” Thomson said. “He’s athletic … his glove skills are really good … he moves his feet … now he’s reading hops. The thing that we have to move through as this thing goes on are just situational plays, [such as] cuts and relays, bunt plays, that type of thing. And we have no other way to do it other than putting him in the game.”

That game won’t be Friday, nor will Harper play first base seven days a week right away. But if he proves to be serviceable at first base and Kyle Schwarber — who has -18 defensive runs saved and -15 outs above average in left field — can DH more consistently, the Phillies will become an even more dangerous team.

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