Hot Josh Harrison Picking Up Where He Left Off In 2014
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - In the past, Josh Harrison has needed to win a spot – even a spot on the bench - during Spring Training. But, after finally nailing down a starting position at third base by finishing second in the National League with a .315 average, Harrison is still competing as if his job is on the line.
"Yeah, it's spring training but you still want to go out and have good at-bats to prepare yourself for the season and get some type of results," Harrison says. "Whether you're hitting .800 or not you just want to go up there and trying to have good at-bats."
Harrison isn't hitting quite .800 in the Grapefruit League but he is 5-for-his-last-8 to raise his average to .429 going into Wednesday night's game against Detroit.
Harrison not only nearly won a batting title in 2014, but once he became a regular part of the line-up, his numbers were good enough to win it. Harrison started out 0-for-9 last season – all as a pinch-hitter. After May 1, he batted .320, one point better than former teammate Justin Morneau who won the NL batting crown.
And you can bet on Harrison continuing to make things happen on the bases. Tuesday against the Astros, Harrison was picked off first base but he wasn't officially picked off because he got out of the rundown, like managed to do a couple of times last season.
"I really don't have an explanation for it," Harrison laughs, "just that baseball's a funny game. Any situation I'm in, I feel confident I can get the job done. The minute your confidence wavers that's the minute you may hesitate and make a mistake."
