19-year-old takes over No. 3 spot in batting order
After the Nats 5-4 victory over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, Nats manager Davey Johnson asked one of his assistants if it was too early to move Bryce Harper up in the order.
“He said nope,” Johnson said with a laugh.
Johnson then filled out his lineup card on Wednesday night with Harper in the No. 3 spot in the order, up from the No. 7 hole he occupied in the first four games of his major league career. When Johnson returned to Nationals Park on Thursday he looked at the card again.
“It still looked good to me,” Johnson said.
With that, Harper takes over in a spot that the Nationals hope he occupies for a long time.
“Why not?” Johnson asked before Thursday’s game with the Diamondbacks. “He’s swinging the bat good. He’s had quality at bats. It’s just what you do … He acquitted himself against some left-handers who are pretty good left-handers. He swung the bat good against the other guys too. He looks like a pretty good choice to me.”
Mickey Mantle was 19 when he made his Yankees debut and hit No. 3 in the order. Ken Griffey was 19 as well and spent his first four games at No. 2, moving to No. 3 in his fifth game as well. Neither of those players, however, had the immediate success of Harper who is batting .385 with three doubles – all shots that hit the wall in the air.
“You trying to shoot me down for hitting him third?” Johnson joked. “Are you wondering why it took me so long?”
Since Ryan Zimmerman went on the disabled list, Johnson has used Danny Espinosa, Mark DeRosa, Jayson Werth, and Rick Ankiel at No. 3.
“I’ve had multiple three-hole hitters. It’s not like I’m picking on Harp,” Johnson said. “He’s got the pop. He’s got a good eye. He uses the whole field. Take a chance with him. I don’t think he’s gonna try any harder.”
