Phillies exploring a Moneyball plan for extending Bryce Harper’s career

The Philadelphia Phillies are exploring a position change for Bryce Harper that could help extend his playing career.

Bryce Harper is making serious strides to get back to playing in games for the Philadelphia Phillies. They need positive news on that front.

Harper, after helping lead Philadelphia to an NLCS victory, underwent Tommy John surgery in the fall and has been on the recovery path since.

The most recent update from manager Rob Thompson is that Harper is “ready” to hit in games, but base running is the hindrance because he’s not ready to slide.

Harper’s recovery has been relatively remarkable. Pitchers normally take a year to 18 months to return from the surgery, position players a bit quicker. Harper is flirting with a six-month recovery time at this point. Even if he’s not in the field just yet, that’s huge.

Originally, ESPN notes that his return as a DH was expected by the All-Star break.

Beyond this injury, though, the Phillies and Harper are looking at a twist to his role with the team that could help him return to the field sooner, but also potentially elongate his career as well.

Bryce Harper could reinvent himself as first baseman with Phillies to elongate career

Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that the Phillies and Harper are going to let him learn first base with the idea that he might start in that position eventually. Gelb said that Harper pitched the idea to team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and then to manager Rob Thompson.

The Phillies think this innovative solution to the problem could get Harper on the field sooner — though it won’t impact his timeline for designated hitting — than if he were to return to his natural outfield position in right.

First base involves some throwing, ball speed and distance are dwarfed considerably compared to the outfield. Home plate is just 90 feet away, as is second, and on the rare instance a first-baseman has to throw to third, that’s about 127 feet.

After this year, there are still eight years on Harper’s deal with the Phillies. This might help him contribute quicker this season, but it could also keep him more impactful on the tail-end of that contract, too.

It’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Just ask Scott Hatteberg.