Josh Harrison is a professional baseball player who has had an interesting and successful career in the Major Leagues. Over the years, he has played for a few different teams and made a name for himself as a versatile player who can excel in multiple positions.
Fans of the sport may be curious about what happened to Harrison after his last stint with the Washington Nationals.
In this blog post, we will explore Harrison’s early career, his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, his brief stint with the Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals, and his recent signing with the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2023 season.
By the end of this post, readers will have a better understanding of Josh Harrison’s baseball career and what he might bring to the Phillies in the upcoming season.
Early Career
Josh Harrison was born on July 8, 1987, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended Princeton High School, where he was a three-sport athlete playing baseball, football, and basketball. After high school, he attended the University of Cincinnati, where he played baseball for the Bearcats.
Harrison was not selected in the MLB draft after his junior year at the University of Cincinnati, but he signed with the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. However, he only played a few games in the Cubs’ minor league system before being released.
Harrison then signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league free agent in 2009. He spent the next few seasons working his way up through the Pirates’ farm system, playing for several of their minor league affiliates.
During his time in the minor leagues, Harrison faced some challenges, including struggling to find consistent playing time and adjusting to the demands of professional baseball.
However, he also had some notable achievements, such as being named to the Eastern League All-Star team in 2010 while playing for the Double-A Altoona Curve.
Despite these challenges, Harrison’s hard work and perseverance paid off, and he eventually earned a call-up to the majors in 2011 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Josh Harrison made his Major League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 31, 2011, against the New York Mets.
In his rookie season, he appeared in 36 games for the Pirates, primarily as a pinch-hitter and a defensive replacement. He finished the year with a .272 batting average, one home run, and seven RBIs.
Over the next few seasons, Harrison became a valuable player for the Pirates, known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. He played primarily as a third baseman but also saw time at second base, shortstop, and in the outfield.
Harrison’s breakout season came in 2014 when he hit .315 with 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases.
He was named to the All-Star team that year and finished ninth in the National League MVP voting. He also won the National League Player of the Month award in August 2014.
One of the most memorable moments of Harrison’s time with the Pirates came in the 2014 Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Reds. In the bottom of the 10th inning, with the score tied at 1-1, Harrison hit a walk-off home run to send the Pirates to the NLDS.
The home run, which was his first career postseason hit, was named the “2014 Major League Baseball Moment of the Year” by MLB.com.
Harrison played for the Pirates through the 2018 season, appearing in a total of 757 games for the team. He finished his time in Pittsburgh with a .280 batting average, 52 home runs, and 269 RBIs.
Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals
After leaving the Pirates, Josh Harrison signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers for the 2019 season. In his lone season with the Tigers, Harrison played in 36 games, batting .175 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.
He struggled with injuries throughout the season and was ultimately released by the Tigers in August.
Following his release from the Tigers, Harrison signed with the Washington Nationals for the remainder of the 2019 season.
He played in 36 games for the Nationals, batting .278 with one home run and eight RBIs. He also appeared in 11 postseason games for the Nationals as they went on to win the World Series.
Harrison returned to the Nationals for the 2020 season, where he played in 33 games and hit .278 with two home runs and 14 RBIs. However, in 2021, Harrison struggled at the plate, batting just .294 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 36 games for the Nationals.
He was released by the team in August and later signed with the Oakland Athletics, where he played in just nine games before becoming a free agent.
Overall, Harrison’s time with the Tigers and Nationals was marked by some struggles, including injuries and a decline in offensive production. However, he did play a role in helping the Nationals win the World Series in 2019 and showed flashes of his previous success at the plate.
Return to the Phillies
In January 2023, Josh Harrison signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The signing reunited Harrison with Phillies manager Joe Girardi, who had managed him during his time with the Yankees in 2018.
It is expected that Harrison will serve in a utility role for the Phillies, similar to his role with the Pirates and Nationals.
He has the ability to play multiple positions, including third base, second base, and in the outfield, which should give the Phillies some versatility and depth on their roster.
While Harrison’s offensive production has declined in recent years, he has shown the ability to hit for average and provide some power at the plate.
He also brings a veteran presence and playoff experience to the Phillies, having appeared in the postseason with both the Pirates and Nationals.
Overall, fans can expect Harrison to be a valuable addition to the Phillies’ roster, providing depth and versatility on defense while also contributing some offensive production.
If he can stay healthy and regain some of his previous success at the plate, he could be a key contributor for the Phillies in the 2023 season.
Josh Harrison’s Major League Baseball Career
| Year | Team | Games Played | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBIs | All-Star Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 36 | .272 | 1 | 16 | N/A |
| 2012 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 104 | .233 | 3 | 16 | N/A |
| 2013 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 60 | .250 | 4 | 19 | N/A |
| 2014 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 143 | .315 | 13 | 52 | All-Star |
| 2015 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 114 | .287 | 5 | 28 | N/A |
| 2016 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 131 | .283 | 4 | 59 | N/A |
| 2017 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 128 | .272 | 16 | 47 | N/A |
| 2018 | Detroit Tigers / Nationals | 69 | .250 | 3 | 22 | N/A |
| 2019 | Nationals | 36 | .278 | 1 | 8 | World Series champion |
| 2020 | Nationals | 33 | .278 | 2 | 14 | N/A |
| 2021 | Nationals / Athletics | 45 | .232 | 1 | 10 | N/A |
| 2023 | Philadelphia Phillies | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: The table includes statistics for each season of Josh Harrison’s Major League Baseball career, including games played, batting average, home runs, RBIs, and any All-Star selections or other notable achievements.
FAQs
What positions has Josh Harrison played during his career?
Josh Harrison is known for his versatility and has played multiple positions throughout his career, including second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield.
Has Josh Harrison won any awards during his career?
Yes, Harrison was named to the National League All-Star team in 2014 while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was also a member of the Washington Nationals team that won the World Series in 2019.
What is Josh Harrison’s batting style?
Harrison is a right-handed batter.
How has Josh Harrison performed in postseason play?
Harrison has played in several postseason games throughout his career and has performed well, particularly in the 2014 National League Wild Card game, where he hit a walk-off home run to clinch the win for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
How does Josh Harrison’s contract with the Philadelphia Phillies compare to his previous contracts?
Harrison’s one-year, $2 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies is significantly less than some of his previous contracts, such as the two-year, $14.5 million contract he signed with the Detroit Tigers in 2018. However, he is expected to play a key role on the team and could potentially earn more in future contracts if he performs well.
Conclusion
Josh Harrison has had a successful career in Major League Baseball, playing for several teams and making a name for himself as a versatile player who can contribute both on offense and defense.
While he has faced some challenges along the way, including injuries and declines in offensive production, he has persevered and continues to be a valuable asset for any team that he plays for.
Harrison’s return to the Phillies in 2023 should be an exciting development for Phillies fans, as he brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success.
Whether he is playing multiple positions in the field or providing some power at the plate, Harrison has the potential to make a significant impact on the team and help them compete for a postseason berth.
Overall, Josh Harrison’s career is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and versatility as a player, and we can’t wait to see what he will accomplish next in the upcoming season with the Philadelphia Phillies.
