2023 Chachi #12 Josh Harrison

#2

Joshua Isaiah Harrison
Infield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'8"  Weight:  190
Opening Day Age:  35

Born:  July 8, 1987, Cincinnati, OH
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, January 30, 2023

Contract Status:  Signed through 2023
Major League Teams:  Pittsburgh Pirates 2011-2018; Detroit Tigers 2019; Washington Nationals 2020-2021; Oakland Athletics 2021; Chicago White Sox 2022; Philadelphia Phillies 2023

This marks the 13th year for Josh Harrison in the major leagues, and he spent his first eight seasons with the Pirates.  To date, he's played every position except catcher, with most of his playing time coming at second or third base.  An All-Star with the Pirates in 2014 and 2017, Harrison finally joined the Phillies in 2023 after a false start in 2020.  He likely should have been added to the roster during that pandemic-shortened season, but the Phillies opted to go with players earning less, keeping them under the salary cap.

Because he spent spring training (or summer camp) with the Phillies in 2020, he appeared two late season Topps releases with the club - Topps Update and Topps Heritage High Numbers.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2010 Topps Pro Debut #207
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (11):  2012-2022
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2020 Topps Heritage High Numbers #589
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  2 as of 5/7/23.

Complete Chachi Checklist

2020 Chachi Almost #8

2023 Chachi #12

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #11 Garrett Stubbs / 2023 Chachi #13 Edmundo Sosa

Game 2 - Misery Continues in Texas

2020 Topps Heritage #589

Rangers 16, Phillies 3
Game 2 - Saturday Afternoon, April 1st in Arlington
Record - 0-2, Tied for 4th Place, 2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  After a brutal opening day loss on Thursday, it got much worse on Saturday, as the Phillies were destroyed, 16-3, by the Rangers.

What It Means:  Definitely not an ideal start to the season for the defending National League Champions.  As Tweeted by @tgpschmenk, the 27 runs allowed by the Phillies are the most allowed in the season's first two games since the 1895 club allowed 29 runs.

What Happened:  Zack Wheeler was chased in the fifth inning, and his final line shows five runs (four earned) on seven hits and seven strikeouts.  Seranthony Dominguez didn't retire any of the six batters he faced and was charged with six runs, four earned.  He joins Gregory Soto with the early season ERA of infinity.  Craig Kimbrel faced four batters, recorded only one out and was charged with three runs.  Josh Harrison made his Phillies debut and came in to record the final two outs of the eighth inning.

Featured Card:  Harrison, a non-roster invitee with the club in 2020, received two mainstream Phillies baseball cards that year, including this Topps Heritage card.  This was his fifth career major league pitching appearances, as he appeared in a game with the Pirates in 2013 and relieved in three games last season for the White Sox.

Transaction:  Dalton Guthrie (of) was optioned to Lehigh Valley after being on the Opening Day roster and Cristian Pache (of) was activated.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

Pitchers and Catchers Report!

2020 Chachi Almost #8

Phillies pitchers and catchers officially reported yesterday, and I spent a fair bit of the day refreshing my Twitter feed in the hope of seeing new pictures or action from Clearwater.  After the letdown of the Eagles loss in the Super Bowl, and the general dreariness of January/early February, it was a much-needed diversion.  The Phillies and several of the team's beat writers didn't disappoint, with photos and videos from sunny Clearwater.

Since I last posted, the Phillies added Josh Harrison (inf) to their 40-man roster, signing the veteran infielder to a one-year deal on January 30th.  Harrison had been in spring/summer camp with the Phillies in 2020, and was a late roster cut.  To make room for Harrison, Sam Coonrod (rhp) was designated for assignment and selected off waivers by the Mets.  Coonrod was one the Phillies' top used relievers in 2021, appearing in 42 games and saving a pair of games.  He was limited to just 12 games in 2022 due to injury, getting hit hard in his limited appearances and earning a 7.82 ERA.

The Phillies also announced the addition of three more catchers as non-roster invitees, listed below.  With J.T. Realmuto and Garrett Stubbs both departing shortly for the World Baseball Classic, the team wisely added a trio of additional catchers to its roster.

Player (position) - 2022 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card

22.  Jack Conley (c) - Phillies - N/A

23.  Aramis Garcia (c) - Reds - 2020 Topps Total #477 (Giants)

24.  Cody Roberts (c) - Orioles - N/A

64 players are in camp with the team, and hopefully at some point the Phillies website updates its roster page with uniform numbers.  An * indicates the player is a non-roster invitee.

Catchers (9) - Jack Conley*, Vito Friscia*, Aramis Garcia*, John Hicks*, Rafael Marchan, Max McDowell*, J.T. Realmuto, Cody Roberts*, Garrett Stubbs

Infielders (13) - Alec Bohm, Kody Clemens, Darick Hall, Jim Haley*, Josh Harrison, Rhys Hoskins, Scott Kingery*, Vimael Machin*, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott, Will Toffey*, Trea Turner, Weston Wilson*

Outfielders (9) - Nick Castellanos, Jake Cave, Dalton Guthrie, Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh, Simon Muzziotti, Jhailyn Ortiz, Johan Rojas, Kyle Schwarber

Right-handed pitchers (24) - Mick Abel*, Mark Appel*, Andrew Baker*, Andrew Bellatti, Connor Brogdon, Seranthony Dominguez, Jon Duplantier*, Louis Head*, Jake Jewell*, Craig Kimbrel, Yunior Marte, James McArthur, Griff McGarry*, McKinley Moore*, Francisco Morales*, Nick Nelson, Aaron Nola, Luis Ortiz, Andrew Painter*, Billy Sullivan*, Erich Uelman, Jeremy Walker*, Taijuan Walker, Zack Wheeler

Left-handed pitchers (9) - Jose Alvarado, Ben Bowden*, Bailey Falter, Michael Plassmeyer, Cristopher Sanchez, Gregory Sosa, Matt Strahm, Ranger Suarez, Andrew Vasquez

For what it's worth, the only players with prior major league experience with the Phillies not in major league camp are Hans Crouse (rhp) and Damon Jones (lhp).  Rule 5 pick Noah Song (rhp) is on the restricted list as he's currently serving in the military.

Game 101 - 2020 Topps Update #U-86 Josh Harrison

Nationals 3, Phillies 1 (Game 1 - 7 Innings)
Game 101 - Thursday Afternoon, July 29th in Philadelphia
Record - 50-51

One Sentence Summary:  Max Scherzer, pitching in most likely his final game for the Nationals, out dueled Zack Wheeler in this 3-1 Phillies loss.

What It Means:  The Nationals are in the midst of a Covid outbreak, which led to the cancellation of Wednesday night's game and created the need for this double header.

What Happened:  From a Phillies' fan's standpoint, the only real excitement came in the fourth inning when J.T. Realmuto hit a solo home run to tie the game, 1-1.  Wheeler was cruising until the seventh when he allowed a lead-off double (misplayed by Odubel Herrera) and then a two-run home run to Yan Gomes.  Scherzer and new Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan held the Phillies to just three hits.

Featured Card:  Nationals infielder Josh Harrison could find himself on a new team before Friday's non-waiver trade deadline.  Harrison, who was in spring training with the Phillies last season, went 5 for 8 in the double header to raise his average to .294.  It would have been nice to have had him around the past two seasons.

Field Report:  For the first time since late May, I was in attendance at a Phillies game, joining a work outing with about 100 or so of my co-workers.  After a brief tailgate, I was one of the first among our group to head inside as I wanted to watch the Scherzer-Wheeler match-up.  It was an enjoyable day from the comforts of Section 421.

Transaction:  Rafael Marchan (c) was recalled from Reading and Andrew Knapp (c) was placed on the paternity list.  Additionally, Cristopher Sanchez (lhp) was added as the 27th man for the double header.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Harrison Released; Roster Takes Shape

2020 Chachi Almost #8

Camp Head Count:  44 - 5 = 39.  In a somewhat surprising move, infielder Josh Harrison requested and was granted his release yesterday.  Harrison seemed a lock for the opening day 30-man roster, so I'm assuming he either has a better shot at more playing time elsewhere or the recent white hot bat of Phil Gosselin made his chances of making the team more tenuous.  In any event, he joins the suddenly growing checklist of the 2020 Chachi Almost insert set.

Also removed from the roster on Tuesday and optioned to the Phillies Alternate Training Site or the Lehigh Valley Satellite Camp, depending on your preference, were Spencer Howard (rhp), Mauricio Llovera (rhp) and Addison Russ (rhp), along with Logan O'Hoppe (c).  Howard will most likely make his big league debut at some point this season but for now he'll train at the IronPigs' ballpark in Allentown with the rest of the Phillies' taxi squad.

Grapefruit Game 10 - 2019 Topps Heritage #8 Josh Harrison

Orioles 3, Phillies 2
Spring Training Game 10 - Sunday Afternoon, March 1st in Clearwater
Record - 6-3-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies were held to three hits in this 3-2 loss to the Orioles.

What It Means:  I was bummed this game wasn't televised.  There appears to be a lot less televised Phillies spring training games this year compared to recent years.

What Happened:  Ranger Suarez is emerging as a dark horse candidate for the fifth starter's job.  He pitched three innings in this game, giving up an unearned run on three hits while striking out three.

Featured Card:  Josh Harrison hit a solo home run in the sixth and played solid defense at second base.  His versatility, bat and veteran presence have given him an inside track on one of the 26 spots on the team's opening day roster.

Camp Head Count:  70

First Four Non-Roster Invitees Announced

2019 Chachi Phillies Phestival #2

2019 Topps Heritage #552

2019 Topps #477

2018 Topps Heritage #528

For the second year in a row, the Phillies used the Friday before Christmas to announce their first round of non-roster invitees.  I'll add to this list as more names are officially announced.

Phil Gosselin and Josh Harrison are the two most intriguing names on the list for me.  Gosselin will be a non-roster invitee for the second year in a row, while Harrison has the inside track for a bench position with the Phillies given his versatility.  Gosselin led the team in pinch-hits last season, despite spending significant time with the IronPigs.  He's also a member of the exclusive Phillies Room Favorites Club.

Player (position) - 2019 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance

1.  Phil Gosselin (inf) - Phillies - 2017 Topps Heritage #135 (Diamondbacks)

2.  Josh Harrison (inf) - Tigers - 2019 Topps Heritage #552 (Tigers)

3.  Mikie Mahtook (of) - Tigers - 2019 Topps #477 (Tigers)

4.  Matt Szczur (of) - Diamondbacks - 2018 Topps Heritage #528 (Padres)

And here's a look at the final list of 2019 non-roster invitees.  Of the 22 players in camp last year, 6 made it to the big club with both Adam Haseley and Sean Rodriguez playing significant roles.  Haseley is slated to be the Phillies' opening day center fielder in 2020.  The ** on the list below indicates those players who got the call to the Phillies in 2019.

Player (position) - 2018 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance
1.  Jeremy Bleich (lhp) - Athletics - 2010 Topps Pro Debut #35 (Yankees)
**2.  Rob Brantly (c) - Braves/Indians - 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen #33 (Marlins)
**3.  Phil Gosselin (inf) - Reds/Braves - 2017 Topps Heritage #135 (Diamondbacks)
4.  Josh Martin (rhp) - Indians - 2012 Bowman Draft Picks #BDPP160 (Indians)
5.  Matt McBride (c-1b) - Phillies - 2007 Bowman Sterling Prospects #MM (Indians)
6.  Gregorio Petit (inf) - Twins - 2015 Topps Heritage #667 (Yankees)
7.  Shane Robinson (of) - Yankees - 2014 Topps #483 (Cardinals)
8.  Gift Ngoepe (inf) - Blue Jays - 2018 Topps Heritage #579 (Blue Jays)
9.  Edward Paredes (lhp) - Dodgers - N/A
10.  Andrew Romine (inf) - Mariners - 2018 Topps Heritage #641 (Mariners)
11.  Malquin Canelo (inf) - Phillies - N/A
12.  Tyler Gilbert (lhp) - Phillies - N/A
**13.  Deivi Grullon (c) - Phillies - 2013 Bowman Chrome #BCP128 (Phillies)
**14.  Adam Haseley (of) - Phillies - 2018 Topps Heritage Minor League #131 (Phillies)
**15.  Cole Irvin (lhp) - Phillies - 2016 Bowman Draft Chrome #BDC-4 (Phillies)
16.  Austin Listi (inf-of) - Phillies - N/A
17.  Mickey Moniak (of) - Phillies - 2018 Topps Heritage Minor League #261 (Phillies)
18.  JoJo Romero (lhp) - Phillies - 2018 Topps Heritage Minor League #92 (Phillies)
19.  Lane Adams (of) - Cubs/Braves - 2018 Topps Now Road to Opening Day #OD-241 (Braves)
20.  Drew Butera (c) - Royals/Rockies - 2018 Topps Royals #KR7 (Royals)
**21.  Sean Rodriguez (inf) - Pirates - 2018 Topps Update #US108 (Pirates)
22.  Trevor Plouffe (inf) - Phillies - 2018 Topps Now #499 (Phillies)