Give Bryce Harper the Gold Glove Award already
When it comes to superstar Bryce Harper, we all know what he can do with his bat. After all, the former NL Rookie of the Year, two-time NL MVP, seven-time All-Star, and three-time Silver Slugger knows a thing or two about hitting a baseball. But how about his play in the field, especially now that he has moved to his new position permanently at first base for 2024?
Last season, in 36 starts at first base, Harper actually fared quite well already, committing only one error in 279 total chances for a .996 fielding percentage and a respectable 1 DRS. Will those numbers eventually evolve into Gold Glove-caliber defense?
Well, one thing is for sure: Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski truly believes Harper can become a star in the infield as well. Back in November 2023, at the GM meetings, Dombrowski mentioned to reporters, “We think he’ll will develop into a Gold Glove first baseman ... he’s committed to doing that.”
It has been only three games into the new season, but Harper sure wanted to get a head start in making true to that statement. In just the first inning of his first game of 2024, he did this:
SO BACK. pic.twitter.com/gP8xLmcM7U
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 29, 2024
Pretty good reflexes for someone who has played mainly in the outfield for the bulk of his career. If he manages to keep this up all season, and not risk any serious injury by tumbling into camera wells trying to make the impossible play, we say he does it.