For the better part of 10 MLB seasons, the only position Bryce Harper knew was the outfield.
That changed in 2022, when Harper suffered an elbow injury that forced him into designated hitter duty, then again in 2023 when Harper volunteered to play first base following the season-ending injury to Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins.
And it appears the change could be permanent.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced that Harper would be the club’s full-time first baseman back in November, and the 2021 National League MVP winner shed some light on the conversations that led up to the switch after arriving for spring training on Sunday, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
“I wanted them to know that I was on board with anything they wanted to do—if that was right field, if that was first base,” Harper said. “And I told them that. I said, ‘If you want me in right field, I’ll play right. If you want me at first, I’ll play first base.’ I think collectively, they said, ‘First base is where we want you.’ I said, OK, I’ll do everything I can to be there and that’s what I want to do.”
Harper also said he “doesn’t think” he’ll move back to right field.
The Las Vegas native has spent the last five seasons in Philadelphia after inking a 13-year, $330 million deal back in 2019.
He’s earned every penny, helping the Phillies advance to the World Series in 2022 and the National League Championship Series this past season while posting a .284/.395/.536 slash line in 581 regular season games played.
Harper, through his agent Scott Boras, expressed a desire to remain with Philadelphia for the remainder of his career back in December.
