Pittsburgh Pirates fans are very excited about the prospects of the third base position in 2015 as Pedro Alvarez has moved across the diamond.
Alvarez played himself off the hot corner with a cold bat and also the most errors in all of Major League Baseball. It became a mental issue and this combined with Josh Harrison’s dependability led to a switch.
Now Harrison goes into 2015 as the clear starter although Jung-ho Kang and Sean Rodriguez will serve as back ups.
Harrison likely will be the team’s lead-off hitter and as of March 27, had a .306 batting average while spending most of his spring atop the batting order. Harrison has not wasted many at-bats with an 11.1 percent strikeout rate in Spring Training. This percentage is par for the course with rates of 11.4 percent in 2013 and 15.6 percent last season when he saw a career high 520 at-bats.
The 5-foot, 8-inch Harrison enters his fifth season after posting career highs of: 143 games played, 77 runs scored, 164 hits, 38 doubles, seven triples, 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 22 walks, 18 steals, a .315 batting average, .837 OPS and a 5.3 WAR. In 2014, Harrison saw time at second base, third base, short stop, left field and right field. In 72 games at third base, Harrison had a 98.4 fielding percentage, 138 assists, three errors and 1.4 defensive WAR. Additionally Harrison tied Matt Kemp for the National League lead in total bases with 143.
Now however Harrison, a 2014 All-Star selection, has to make adjustments. Harrison is a known commodity and pitchers will pitch him differently.
“Josh is mentally tough,” manager Clint Hurdle said to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “He’s disciplined and he’s committed. So I don’t foresee any of those challenges, as far as him (thinking) he’s arrived and he’s made it. This kid’s hungry. He’s worked hard and he believes he’s only scratched the surface.”
Jung-ho Kang is listed on the Pirates website as the backup, though he is expected to take more reps at shortstop. Kang had a strong start to Spring Training but ultimately regressed because of a timing issue. Some national media admired Kang’s power and that potential in addition to improving glove work could make him a utility option.
“We have every intent in the world of him helping us winning games at the Major League level beginning Opening Day,” general manager Neal Huntington said.
“We didn’t sign this guy as a project,” added Hurdle. “We believe that through time and practice and reps, he’s going to find his comfort zone and find his way.”
Sean Rodriguez will serve as a super utility option. Rodriguez enters his eighth season and in 2014 played six positions [1B, 2B, SS, 3B, LF and RF]. Rodriguez played third base nine times last season and had one error in 14 total chances. He had a -0.6 defensive WAR in 2014. Rodriguez is most likely to give Neil Walker a day off at second base, although third base is an option for him.
Rodriguez hit double digit home runs for the first time in his major league career with 12 homers. His 41 RBI also were a career high. Rodriguez has hit above .250 on one occasion [.251 in 2010] and batted .211 last season. Rodriguez’s versatility will result in several opportunities.
Earlier in spring training when Hurdle was running down his bench, Rodriguez was one of the first names he mentioned as someone that will have that role in the major leagues.
“I just love to play,” Rodriguez said to Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I get a real kick out of just being out there, being able to get your shirt dirty and get a couple of scrapes and bruises.”
Pedro Alvarez is listed as the fourth option although Justin Sellers may get a shot at third base as well.
