CLEARWATER, Fla. — Most of the Phillies' starting pitchers were in the lineup Wednesday, providing a nice little early test for hitters in the face of Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shaver's high-90s velocity. became.
Smith-Shover threw 11 pitches in the 97 to 99 mph range, but the Phillies didn't look unprepared for that kind of speed on Feb. 28.
In his first at-bat of the spring, JT Realmuto hit a 379-foot home run to left, Bryce Harper singled to right, and Alec Bohm hit a 418-foot two-run homer.
Realmuto came on later that inning and nearly took Smith-Schober deep for a second time, sending a 392-foot jump into the center field wall.
Not bad for a first trip of ordering.
“I felt good. First day of spring. Just looking at the pitches and trying to get good at-bats and good swings,” Harper said. “The timing was a little off, which I expected. But it was good to be back there.”
Harper made two great defensive plays to rob Jared Kelenic. In the first inning, Harper dove to his right, handled a strong ground ball, and tossed it to starting pitcher Tyler Phillips, making it 3-1.
In the third inning, Harper hit a perfect 3-6 double play, stepped on the first base bag and threw a strike to Weston Wilson.
“I’m glad I jumped into the fire,” he said. “Please bring me some pretty hot stuff.”
Coach Rob Thomson added, “Both (played) really well.'' “On one play he chased the ball and got caught out of place with Whit fielding it. Things like that happen sometimes and he's still trying to get over it. But he seemed really comfortable. It's getting better day by day.”
Harper played well defensively as a first baseman during the final two months of 2023 after learning the position on the fly during his early-season rehab from Tommy John surgery.
Harper prepared well in the offseason mentally, committed to working with respected infield coach Bobby Dickerson in the spring, and knew first base would be his position long-term. , has a chance to become one of the better first basemen in the majors. All the tools are there.
“He's very athletic and a baseball player, so Sky is the limit for me,” Thomson said. “He's calm, calm and has a great coach in Bobby Dickerson. A lot of good things could happen.”
One of the best things Harper is still learning as a first baseman is where to position himself on plays that don't involve him. When and where to back up your throws. Correct location of cutoff.
“I was actually more happy about the position,” he said. “The ball to the right field line. It was where I was supposed to be. I like to see players play well, so I didn't get carried away watching the games too often. Those moments That's a moment I still have to learn from.'' The ball went into the gap chasing the players. The ball went down the line and I saw a player touch first base. He understands where he needs to be. That's the big moment you really need to understand. I got caught a little bit last year. After watching a few plays, I forget that I am a stranger to this place. That's what I'm learning.”
Wednesday was the fifth anniversary of Harper's contract with the Phillies. A lot has happened since then. Disappointing early results for the team. A season shortened by the pandemic. Lockout. MVP award. Two deep runs in the playoffs. An additional series of high-priced veteran players.
“I feel like time goes by faster as I get older, right? I'm really lucky,” he said. “I'm so grateful that I'm a Philadelphia Philly player. The pure fact is, five years ago, we didn't know where we were going. That's when I was in Washington, D.C. “That's one of the things that everyone was always talking about when, 'Where is he going to go? Where is he going to go? Where is he going to end up? What is he going to do?' Is he going to stay here? Is he going to go? And I'm so grateful to have a contract like that, 'and I know I'm here. Philly. I’m really lucky to be here and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
