First base protection is sophisticated. It isn’t probably the most tough positions, however that doesn’t imply it doesn’t have its personal challenges. Gamers within the latter half of their careers who’ve misplaced athleticism typically undertake the place as their new residence, which is fascinating as a result of it’s rather more tough to study a brand new place if you’re previous your athletic prime. However as a result of first base doesn’t require prime tier athleticism, it’s not unusual for that to occur. Bryce Harper’s case is an ideal instance of this.
Between Philadelphia’s crowded outfield and its curiosity in retaining its star wholesome as he ages by means of his 30s, first base turned a viable choice for the previous MVP when the place opened up and he was coming back from Tommy John surgical procedure in file time. Final 12 months, he dealt with it properly — even when he at occasions ventured too far off the bag for grounders within the gap, as if he have been again in proper discipline making an attempt to chop the ball off within the hole — provided that he was studying the place on the fly.
It was a wager on Harper’s baseball expertise and IQ that appears to have labored out properly. His defensive metrics regarded strong in 2023 (+3 OAA); in fact, contemplating the small pattern, we shouldn’t take these numbers as bond, however they have been encouraging nonetheless. Now, with a full offseason of studying the place and a month’s value of performs, we now have a greater concept of what his true expertise is on the place. Later on this article, we’ll watch some video of Harper taking part in first to judge the place he stands. However first, let’s check out the numbers.
To date in his first base profession, Harper has a +6 OAA and a Success Price Added between three and 4 %. His OAA this season is +3, which is the best amongst first basemen. Mainly, the numbers indicated that Harper had a strong basis already, and with extra expertise, he’s grow to be one of many prime defenders at his place.
For the remainder of this piece, we’ll use video to interrupt down Harper’s dealing with of three basic sides of the place: his footwork on groundballs that he takes unassisted, his feeds and really feel for flipping to pitchers, and his alternatives to make outs at second. There are different elements that go into first base protection — reminiscent of catching pickoff makes an attempt, securing scoops, and receiving cutoffs earlier than delivering relays — however I’m most inquisitive about his expertise fielding groundballs. With that mentioned, let’s begin by grounders hit shut sufficient to the bag for Harper to make an unassisted putout:
Unassisted Groundballs
Two issues stick out to me straight away: Harper is sweet at working from the bottom up, and he nearly at all times retains his physique shifting in the best course. Any shortstop would inform you that progressively shifting your toes and physique weight towards your goal as you discipline the ball is essential. The identical premise holds for first baseman.
With a sluggish chopper, it’s a must to stagger your toes to be sure to keep underneath management and don’t overplay the baseball and get a foul hop. When working towards the primary final analysis, as Harper has finished so properly, you steadiness how onerous the ball was hit with the angle you’re taking to it; on tougher hit balls, you set your physique on the road to guard towards a double, whereas when a deep chopper comes, you reorient your middle of mass towards the bag to be sure to’re prepared for a race with the runner or to throw to the pitcher. Harper appears to be like very comfy making these selections. I snuck the liner from Matt Olson in there to indicate how fast he might be on his toes. Not each first baseman can transfer like that. Now, let’s transfer on to a extra sophisticated process: flipping to the pitcher.
Flips to Pitcher
Harper has finished properly sticking to the basics right here. He has a rhythm established with Zack Wheeler specifically, however his execution of main every pitcher to the bag is on level. He maintains composure all through every of the throws, even when the batter-runner is a speedster like Elly De La Cruz. Urgency and tempo are essential elements of fielding grounders at first as a result of you will get caught in a foot race with a runner. However if you happen to’re constant along with your supply and have a very good really feel for rushing up your arm when mandatory, there isn’t a must rush your toes.
I’m impressed by Harper’s potential to make performs shifting to his proper. He makes use of his proper foot to plant or pivot very properly. That has rather a lot to do along with his athleticism. He will get into good positions to remain underneath the baseball and make reads along with his arms. The subsequent clips spotlight that much more:
Potential Performs to Second
There are three completely different strikes that you may make as a right-handed thrower when deciding to ship a fireplace to second from the assorted first base positions (shallow, medium, deep) — you’ll be able to pivot towards your throwing shoulder to sq. your physique to the bag, you’ll be able to spin towards your forehand and non-throwing shoulder to sq. your physique, or you may make the throw on the run. Harper clearly has a really feel these three strikes.
On the grounder hit by Olson, Harper’s footwork is incredible as he spins, turns, and throws, and his supply is to the proper facet of second base. Then on an analogous grounder (the third play), he realizes he doesn’t have a throwing lane and decides to take the positive out at first. On the onerous groundball from Mike Trout, Harper switches his toes in a short time (like a catcher would) and delivers the ball proper on prime of the bag. The one hiccup comes within the closing play within the clip, when he will get the groundball close to the outfield and decides to carry it as an alternative of constructing a spinning throw to second. If he fires to second as an alternative, the Phillies have had a shot at an inning-ending double play. That is one thing to maintain your eyes on as Harper continues to develop on the place. It’s the longest throw a primary baseman will make and requires a fast determination. He’s clearly comfy making the spinning throw from a shallow depth, however this final piece will assist him grow to be extra full on the place.
Basically, I’m impressed with how comfy the Phillies slugger appears to be like at his new place. His fundamentals are on level. He can pop off the bag rapidly after holding a runner on and get his toes in verify to maneuver in any course. Even when he makes a mistake, it’s not as a result of he isn’t ready along with his toes. This may not be a Mookie Betts-level place change, however it’s nonetheless value appreciating.