BRADENTON, Fla. — Josh Harrison has seen players come and go. He's been with the Pirates during the highest of this century's highs and was the first player to express frustration when that era came to an official close this offseason. He's now 30 and is the longest tenured player in a clubhouse filled with new faces. His determination and grit, traits that sparked his ascent from utility man to two-time All-Star, are emblematic of the team Clint Hurdle is trying to mold.
However, this season, Harrison's eighth in the major leagues, will likely be only his second opportunity to focus on playing one position. And he's approaching the assignment with trademark confidence.
"Yeah, it gets overlooked sometimes, but at the end of the day it doesn’t bother me," Harrison told DKPittsburghSports.com of his work at second base. "I don’t look for any outside recognition. I know that, if I’m there, don’t hit it to me."
Harrison has yet to play a different position in spring training, spending each inning at second base while batting atop the Pirates' order. The presence of Adam Frazier, Sean Rodriguez and David Freese should allow that trend to continue into the regular season.
Although Harrison played 83 games at second last season, he was also needed at third for 49 games and has bounced back and forth between those two positions for much of his career. Additionally, most of his time in 2013 was in the outfield, and he has played 10 games there the past two seasons.
Harrison wanted to make clear that he doesn't mind moving around. After all, versatility helped him reach the major leagues and ensured his spot on the roster once he got there. But there are advantages to knowing where he'll play every day, including the ability to focus his time on being an above-average defender at second.
"If you look at my numbers, I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I know given what I've done defensively as a second baseman," he said. "If I'm healthy the past two years to finish the season, you're looking at my numbers saying this guy is definitely one of the best defensive second basemen or the overall best second baseman."
Harrison did not play a full season at second base until 2015, when he logged 128 games (1,077 2/3 innings) and registered four defensive runs saved, which ranked fourth among second basemen in Major League Baseball. Last season, he recorded six defensive runs saved, tied for second. Additionally, his 2.6 fWAR in 2017 ranked 11th, and he hit a career-high 16 home runs, despite a season-ending injury on a hit-by-pitch in early September.
Harrison insists more playing time at one position isn't about comfort, though. Instead, it will provide the opportunity to show the plays he can make, such as relay throws from the outfield and turning certain double plays.
Hurdle didn't necessarily rule out using Harrison elsewhere. Injuries occur and Harrison has been an above-average defensive third baseman during his career. Also, Hurdle expressed a desire to still use Harrison elsewhere at times to keep him sharp in the event that he's needed at another position.
"He has a comfort zone at second base now, more so than he ever had before," Hurdle said. "But I do think it keeps him fresh in a mindset that he can go somewhere to help the team because he is a guy who wants to go help the team. ... The turning of the double plays has gotten better over time. The feeds to the shortstop coming across the bag, I think, have developed. You get to see his range play out big time over the middle. I think it's gotten better to the glove side than when he initially went over there. The development is ongoing."
Yet, Harrison found value in the opportunity he was given at second base in 2016. It gave him a chance to finally establish an identity in the major leagues. He was always known as a utilityman, splitting most of his time between second and third in the minor leagues before earning an All-Star nod in 2014 while playing five different positions, which led to a debate about whether or not such a player belonged.
But Harrison batted .283/.311/.388 in 2016, hitting four home runs and driving in 59 RBIs with 19 stolen bases. His ultimate zone rating, which measures a defender's ability to make outs on both routine and challenging plays, ranked eighth among second basemen in the majors.
More important, Harrison was able to learn the immeasurable nuances of the position that are overlooked by those outside the game.
"Preparation is something that changed a little bit because I was able to focus on all the ins and outs of second base, communication with my pitchers, communications with my catchers," Harrison explained. "It’s different from third base to second base. You have to worry about being up the middle, knowing what signs a pitcher and catcher are on. Back picks. Talking to my outfielder to make sure, 'Hey, I’m going to be here.'"
It remains to be seen how much longer Harrison will be with the club. He requested a trade during the offseason and reiterated that desire last month if the front office didn't show him it intended to contend in 2018.
He's under contract for $10.25 million this season with club options for the following two years. For now, he'll continue to lead, and he'll do so at a position where he is confident he can make every play.
"It doesn’t matter what anybody says," Harrison said of his defense at second. "All that matters is what I believe. I know what I know about myself."