Bryce Harper Shows Off His New Skills On Defense
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is the perfect example of a team player.
He played with a torn elbow ligament for the majority of the 2022 season and still led his team to the World Series with a brilliant postseason performance.
He got the surgery and missed a few weeks of the 2023 campaign.
Upon returning to the field this year, he started playing first base as a way to protect his arm.
He didn’t have to play first, but embraced the challenge and helped the Phillies in the process because the regular first baseman, Rhys Hoskins, suffered a torn ACL and is out for the year.
It’s obviously not his primary position, but Harper seems to be adapting to the first base very well judging by a play in Wednesday’s game
The Phillies shared it via Twitter.
Elite first baseman Bryce Harper pic.twitter.com/5Wnu0n7S1j
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 30, 2023
Those are some nice reflexes and instincts to get the ball, and he made an accurate throw to second base, too.
Overall, he showed his athleticism and skill at a new position for him.
He took away a potential hit from Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani.
Harper has also been heating up with the bat.
After a few months, it seemed like his power wouldn’t fully return for the time being.
We are talking about a generational talent, though.
Since July 23, Harper is hitting an incredible .344/.435/.672 with 10 home runs in 147 plate appearances.