Phillies: This is the perfect lineup for the 2021 season
By Matt Rappa
3. Bryce Harper, RF (L)
It is hard to believe, but right fielder Bryce Harper is already entering his third season in red pinstripes after signing a historic 13-year, $330 million contract in late winter 2019.
Through 215 games in a Phillies uniform, the six-time All-Star has slashed .262/.385/.518 with 45 doubles, 48 home runs, and 147 RBI. In the field, he has committed just six errors spanning 1,702 innings and 372 chances. It is hard to ask for much more out of Harper. His success should continue into the 2021 season.
“Batting third, number three, right fielder Bryce Harper.” pic.twitter.com/DSGaAiB7h7
— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) March 28, 2019
Harper aligns well batting third in the lineup. He has the most familiarity in that lineup spot throughout his career, and has performed up to expectations. Across 624 games and more than 2,700 plate appearances, Harper has slugged 134 doubles, 136 home runs, and 401 RBI, while slashing .281/.406/.533. This past season, Harper hit .279 in the three hole as opposed to .222 while batting second.
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Harper batting third also allows him to be more aggressive early on in counts, rather than take pitches to lengthen out at-bats. There were 28 instances this past season with Harper on the first pitch. He slashed .357/.357/.964 on such counts with two doubles, five home runs, and eight RBI. On 0-1 counts, Harper hit even bette,: .429/.438/.714, through 17 plate appearances.
The Phillies star outfielder batting between first baseman Rhys Hoskins and the following hitter on our “Ideal 2021 Phillies Lineup” list should only bode well for the Las Vegas native.