Phillies: Projected 2020 Starting Lineup, Nos. 1-3 Spots

3: Bryce Harper

2019 Stats: .260/.327/.882, 35 HR, 114 RBI, 573 ABs

Superstar Bryce Harper is projected to bat third in the lineup for the Phillies this season, following Andrew McCutchen and J.T. Realmuto.

Batting third is something that Harper is used to, having batted in the third hole the majority of the 2019 season with the Phillies. It should be no different for Harper in 2020, with the only thing he faces that is different is the shortened season, new players in the lineup such as Didi Gregorius, and a new experienced manager in Joe Girardi.

According to Baseball-Reference, Harper drove in McCutchen 11 times last season, and Realmuto five times. While these numbers may seem low, it’d certainly be interesting to see what type of offensive production Harper can produce in this shortened season.

In 682 plate appearances, Harper collected 114 RBI throughout the 2019 season. In 2020, Harper is projected to receive 197 at-bats while batting.260 with 15 home runs and 38 RBIs. The six-time All-Star is also predicted to score 35 runs.

Harper is entering the second year of his 13-year contract with Philadelphia, which he signed before the 2019 season. He previously played with the Washington Nationals for the entirety of his career.

Recently, Harper announced he is expecting a baby girl with his wife, Kayla. He isn’t expected to miss games in the regular season as the baby is not expected until after the season.

Harper has seemed to enjoy his time in Philadelphia thus far, frequently commenting on how much he loves the city, team, and fans. It’s no doubt that Harper will thrive batting in the third hole for the team again this season, and assist in offensive production.