Josh Harrison suffered a broken hand after being hit by a pitch in Sunday’s game against the Miami Marlins, an injury that will likely sideline Pittsburgh’s All-Star second baseman for nearly two months. The Pirates, who currently sit atop the NL Central division, don’t need to look far to find an experienced Gold Glove winner to fill the second spot during Harrison’s extended stay on the disabled list.
Their answer, if they intend to stay atop the division, is probably not the guy who was called up from the farm system immediately after Harrison’s injury. That Triple-A Indianapolis player is Max Moroff who, after 59 major league games and three separate calls since 2016, has a career batting average of just .195.
For a better option, captain Clint Hurdle and general manager Neal Huntington must meet with a free-agent second baseman who was one of the best at that position a little over a season ago, when he played for the team in Josh’s hometown. Hamilton. Cincinnati.
Brandon Phillips became a free agent over the winter but remains unsigned. Although he is 36 years old, Phillips still wears an above-average glove and swings a fast bat.
As recently as last year, Phillips hit .285 with 13 home runs, racking up more than 600 at-bats between seasons with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels. Even more impressive, given his age, Phillips also managed to grab eleven stolen bases as well.
Phillips has over ten years of experience playing against clubs in the NLCentral, having spent his entire career with the Reds. He has put up some of his best stats against Pittsburgh rivals in St. Louis, Chicago and Milwaukee, all three of which are listed as the top contenders in the division.
Just last week, Phillips told MLB.COM’s John Morosi that he has no plans to retire and is waiting to be called up by a team. In that interview, Phillips discussed his willingness to play several different infield positions, while also offering to learn left field if necessary.
That call should come soon, and it should come from an area code of 412 or 878, depending on which part of Pittsburgh the GM lives in. By the time the Pirates begin their interleague series with the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh fans should be cheering for the All-Star second baseman who wears the usual number four on the back of his new jersey.
