First base protection is sophisticated. It isn’t one of the crucial troublesome positions, however that doesn’t imply it doesn’t have its personal challenges. Players within the latter half of their careers who’ve misplaced athleticism generally undertake the place as their new dwelling, which is attention-grabbing as a result of it’s rather more troublesome to study a brand new place if you’re previous your athletic prime. But 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 holding its star wholesome as he ages by way of his 30s, first base grew to become a viable possibility for the previous MVP when the place opened up and he was coming back from Tommy John surgical procedure in document time. Last 12 months, he dealt with it properly — even when he at instances ventured too far off the bag for grounders within the gap, as if he have been again in proper area making an attempt to chop the ball off within the hole — on condition that he was studying the place on the fly.
It was a guess on Harper’s baseball abilities and IQ that appears to have labored out properly. His defensive metrics seemed 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 enjoying first to guage the place he stands. But first, let’s check out the numbers.
So far in his first base profession, Harper has a +6 OAA and a Success Rate Added between three and 4 %. His OAA this season is +3, which is the best amongst first basemen. Basically, the numbers indicated that Harper had a strong basis already, and with extra expertise, he’s turn into 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 elementary aspects 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 — resembling catching pickoff makes an attempt, securing scoops, and receiving cutoffs earlier than delivering relays — however I’m most excited about his abilities 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 nice at working from the bottom up, and he nearly all the time retains his physique shifting in the correct course. Any shortstop would let you know that progressively shifting your ft and physique weight towards your goal as you area the ball is essential. The similar premise holds for first baseman.
With a gradual chopper, you need to stagger your ft to ensure you keep underneath management and don’t overplay the baseball and get a nasty hop. When working towards the primary bottom line, as Harper has completed so properly, you stability how arduous the ball was hit with the angle you’re taking to it; on more durable hit balls, you place your physique on the road to guard in opposition to a double, whereas when a deep chopper comes, you reorient your heart of mass towards the bag to ensure you’re prepared for a race with the runner or to throw to the pitcher. Harper appears very comfy making these choices. I snuck the liner from Matt Olson in there to point out how fast he could be on his ft. Not each first baseman can transfer like that. Now, let’s transfer on to a extra sophisticated activity: flipping to the pitcher.
Flips to Pitcher
Harper has completed 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 necessary elements of fielding grounders at first as a result of you will get caught in a foot race with a runner. But in the event you’re constant along with your supply and have a great really feel for dashing up your arm when mandatory, there is no such thing as a have to rush your ft.
I’m impressed by Harper’s capacity to make performs shifting to his proper. He makes use of his proper foot to plant or pivot very properly. That has so much to do along with his athleticism. He will get into good positions to remain underneath the baseball and make reads along with his fingers. The subsequent clips spotlight that much more:
Potential Plays to Second
There are three totally 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 can also 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 unbelievable 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 certain out at first. On the arduous groundball from Mike Trout, Harper switches his ft in a short time (like a catcher would) and delivers the ball proper on prime of the bag. The solely hiccup comes within the remaining 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. This 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 choice. He’s clearly comfy making the spinning throw from a shallow depth, however this final piece will assist him turn into extra full on the place.
In common, I’m impressed with how comfy the Phillies slugger appears at his new place. His fundamentals are on level. He can pop off the bag shortly after holding a runner on and get his ft in test 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 ft. This won’t be a Mookie Betts-level place swap, but it surely’s nonetheless value appreciating.
Content Source: blogs.fangraphs.com