Josh Harrison (Associated Press file)
Spotlight on… Josh Harrison, 3B, Pirates
What’s up: Harrison, Pittsburgh’s 5-foot-8, 200-pound third baseman, entered Saturday’s play hitting .318, just ahead of the Rockies’ Justin Morneau (.317) in the race for the National League batting title. The 27-year-old from Cincinnati is a major reason why the Pirates remain alive in the playoff hunt.
Background: Harrison started just two games in the first month of the season and was 5-for-23 (.217) entering May. Then he got hot, and then hotter still. He hit .356 in August and is hitting .354 in September. Just as remarkable, Harrison has suddenly plugged into his power supply, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 52 runs. In his first three years in the majors, Harrison hit only seven home runs in 229 games.
Saunders’ take: So who’s going to win the batting title? Harrison steps up to the plate with the playoffs on the line, but his play in September suggests he’s thriving in the spotlight. Morneau has been remarkably steady all season, but he’s putting up his best numbers as the season winds down — hitting .358 in September with 10 RBIs. The Rockies finish the season with three games at San Diego and three at Los Angeles. Those are pitchers’ parks, so it’s going to be tough for Morneau to stay hot. The Pirates finish with four games at Atlanta and three at Cincinnati, so Harrison’s task seems easier. But I think the ever-steady Morneau, whose home-road splits are not dramatic, will cap his remarkable season with a batting title.
Tags: Josh Harrison, MLB, Pirates
