Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper has made it clear—he wants to bat third in the lineup and has no interest in shifting to the leadoff position. With spring training on the horizon, Harper is standing firm on where he believes he can make the biggest impact for his team.
In a recent interview, Harper addressed speculation about potential changes to the Phillies’ batting order. While manager Rob Thomson is open to experimenting with different configurations, Harper was direct about his preference.
“Obviously, I’m a three-hole hitter, and I have been. But whenever they’ve told me to hit two or four, I’ve done that in the past. I want to win. So I don’t care what that takes,” Harper stated.
This statement leaves little doubt about where Harper sees himself contributing best. His track record as one of the game’s elite hitters supports his claim—batting third has long been where he thrives.
The Phillies’ lineup is stacked with offensive talent, including Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos. With Turner’s speed and contact ability, he is a natural fit for the leadoff role. Meanwhile, Schwarber, who hit 47 home runs last season, has been used as a leadoff hitter before, though his power might be better suited for a middle-of-the-order spot.
While Thomson hasn’t ruled out making adjustments, Harper’s insistence on batting third suggests that any experiments will not involve him leading off.
Harper’s leadership and offensive production will be crucial as the Phillies look to build on last season’s success. The team made a deep postseason run in 2023 but fell short of a World Series appearance. With Harper anchoring the lineup, the Phillies hope to contend once again.
Spring training games will offer a glimpse into how the lineup takes shape, but one thing appears certain—Bryce Harper will be hitting in the No. 3 spot.
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