Go back to a time when you were watching a baseball game and you noticed that one man who gave his all on every play. If he hits a ground ball to shortstop, he hustles down the first base line even though he knows he will be out. A player who does the little things that don’t show up in the stat book, but go a long way with his manager, teammates and fans. A player like this is often referred to as a true ballplayer. Pirates infielder Josh Harrison is that guy.
Ever since Harrison was called up from to the big leagues last season, he has given his all each and every time he takes the field.
“That’s kind of how I play the game and it’s my mentality,” Harrison said. “I enjoy the game and have fun. If it looks like that, it’s because that’s how it is.”
Harrison, a Cincinnati native, was acquired by the Pirates via trade at the deadline in 2009 from the Chicago Cubs. In the trade that sent John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny to the Cubs, the Pirates acquired pitchers Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio and at the time, the Single-A infielder Harrison. Looked at as a throw-in piece at the time, Harrison is the only one of the three still with the organization.
“I can’t really say the trade was a shock,” Harrison said. “The way it happened was a shock because it happened 30 minutes before the game and I was supposed to start. I was excited to be traded and it’s not one of those things where the Cubs didn’t want me.”
Playing for his hometown University of Cincinnati, Harrison was familiar with Pittsburgh with playing The University of Pittsburgh in Big East play. He has embraced Pittsburgh and looked forward to arriving here.
“Being traded isn’t a bad thing in all cases,” Harrison said. “I could feel as soon as I got over here that is was an organization that wanted me and was excited to have me. I was just thankful to be in the place that I landed and everyone embraced me.”
Harrison hit .272 in 65 games last season for the Pirates. After being sent down momentarily, Harrison was called up for the remainder of the season. Harrison knew that just because of the success he had in the latter part of the season, he wasn’t guaranteed a spot on this year’s team.
In spring training, Harrison, Yamaico Navarro, Matt Hague, Jake Fox and Nick Evans, along with a handful of pitchers, were competing for the final spots on the opening day roster. For Harrison, it was all about going out there each day and controlling what he could control.
“My mentality in spring training was to control what I could and go out and give it my all and take care of business,” Harrison said. “At the end of the day, if I made the team then I made the team. If not, I left everything out there and didn’t worry about something that I couldn’t control.”
For Harrison, his .341 average in spring training was enough for him to lock up a position on the team, but his position was less of a sure thing. The “J-Hay Kid” is listed as a third baseman, but had to learn to play shortstop, second base and even the outfield to improve his value to the team.
“Versatility is a big thing,” Harrison said. “You’re seeing the game is starting to look at the utility role as being very important. It doesn’t just help the team, but it helps the manager also. I see that in myself where I can play positions to help Clint (Hurdle) in case he needs to give a player a day off or just throw someone in there.”
In the past, the Pirates have always had that utility player capable of playing multiple positions successfully. Rob Mackowiak, John Wehner and Delwyn Young are some of the past Pirates players who have had to play multiple positions. If any Pirates player knows about the utility role, it’s current second baseman Neil Walker.
When Walker was selected No. 11 overall in the 2004 draft, he was listed as a catcher. In the minor leagues, Walker was moved to third base, left field and right field. It wasn’t until Aki Iwamura hurt his knee that Walker got an audition at second base. A position that he would claim as his own.
“Being a utility player is a tough spot,” Walker said. “It’s a spot where you are trying to do whatever you can to help the team win and getting the reps you need at each position is the most difficult part.”
Walker said if anybody on the team is suited for that role, it’s without a doubt Harrison.
“Josh is a great guy to do that,” Walker said. “He’s a very focused individual and ultimately somebody who wants to just help the team win. With him being in a similar role in the minor leagues, it made him resilient as a ballplayer. Anytime he’s in the field or in the box, you have a feeling something good is going to happen and that’s a good merit to have.”
As for Harrison, he knows his role and embraces it fully.
“I definitely embrace it,” Harrison said. “I know right now that’s my role and I’m just taking it day-by-day.”
Playing multiple positions at the big league level isn’t an easy task, but with the proper practice, it’s something Harrison enjoys.
“I never know where I’m going to play,” Harrison said. “I have to practice at multiple positions and it’s a challenge, but I work hard, enjoy it and have fun doing it.”
Working hard and having fun are characteristics that best describe Harrison; a true ballplayer in every sense of the word.
Photo credits: Getty Images
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