Article by Gino Ferretti of Pittsburgh Sporting News
If 71% of the earth is covered by water, then Josh Harrison currently covers the other 29%.
Harrison has been responsible for some of the most sensational early highlights of the Pirates 2014 season. Nevermind the go-ahead solo home run Sunday that broke a 3-3 tie with the Yankees, the big play was made later as he stretched out and made a jaw dropping catch to preserve the lead. Oh, and forget about him going 2-4 Thursday night with an RBI, because it was another run saving catch for a team that could use all the saves they can get.
For the Pirates, the revolving door in right field has had more bodies pushed through it than Pittsburgh International Airport. Pick a name. Garrett Jones, Marlon Bird, Jose Tabata, and Travis Snider have all graced the grass since last season with little to no promise. But while the starting pitching has been floundering, and the team has taken a familiar path of early frivolousness, Josh Harrison has given the Pirates an early reason to keep their fingers crossed.
Harrison is the latest team experiment to find an answer not only in right field, but at the top spot in the batting order.
Starling Marte has recently hit a rough patch at the top of the order, while not hitting much of anything else. In 171 at bats entering last night’s game, Marte is hitting a shoddy .263 with 55 strikeouts. For a lead off hitter, his .326 OBP should be a batting average. Manager Clint Hurdle has moved him to the five hole in hopes that he can earn his way back to the top of the order.
But since Josh Harrison has been promoted to lead off earlier this month, he’s settled in admirably going into last night’s game. In 37 at bats in the top spot, he’s hitting .351 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, and a home run. His OBP is a respectable .415.
Harrison is now not only excelling in the lead off spot, but is in one of the best scenarios a professional athlete can be in. The scenario where the outcome of your stay is determined by no other factors but your own. He can only lose the job himself. The Pirates will ride the hot streak as long as Josh Harrison continues to provide the spark.
This type of theory happens often in hockey. It generally pertains to a coach riding a hot goalie, whether he’s second or third on the depth chart, until he fizzles out. In the case of Harrison, Clint Hurdle is fully aware of this theory.
When asked by the Post Gazette if he was riding the hot hand, Hurdle replied, “Absolutely.”
As of right now, everyone has a benefit in this experiment. The Pirates, and most importantly Josh Harrison, top the list. The Pirates can catch lighting in a bottle, and Harrison can position himself in a way where no one can steal his thunder. It’s up to Harrison how far this ride goes. It will be judged by consistency and not a trial sized sample. If anything, consistency is what has failed him in the past.
The big picture in right field is tearing the cover off the ball in Triple A, and while Josh Harrison is in no way trying to paint over Gregory Polanco, he’s hoping to give the Pirates something they haven’t had. A consistent option in right field. An achievable choice who will keep the grass warm for Polanco. Though the Pirates are hoping he’ll keep it scorching hot.
With Polanco, Pirates GM Neal Huntington has stressed that the impending gain of the superstar’s Super 2 status doesn’t necessarily mean the Pirates will rush to bring him to Pittsburgh. And with Harrison’s foot in the revolving right field door, they’re currently in no rush to make a move they want, until that want becomes an incontestable need. Let him continue to blossom as long as Harrison is coming up smelling like roses.
But I know.
If the Pirates go on any future extended losing streak, the criticism from the Negative Nancy’s will always shift toward Gregory Polanco and the dangerous effects of allowing his Super 2 status to be gained.
But I challenge those of you with a Ph.D in nagging to enjoy, if only temporarily, the stability in right field that Josh Harrison has supplied. A need the Pirates can check off their to-do list for now.
Don’t wish away Super 5 just yet.
(Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
