Much has been discussed about the Philadelphia Phillies and their lineup. Without any major changes, the switching of the batting order is the most natural option to find a change that helps drive this team out of a continuous rut. Many were shocked at how flat the Phillies fell offensively last year, so a change has to take place.

Phillies’ designated hitter and natural leader, Kyle Schwarber, has been the most discussed hitter and not for any contentious reason. Schwarber has been leading off for a majority of games as a Phillie. It has worked in its own miraculous way, per MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. However, the problem has become what happens after the top of the lineup. After some expected lineup adjustments in spring training, the Phillies have some new answers about where the lineup will shake out in the regular season.

Rob Thomson confirms Bryce Harper will hit second in the new-look Phillies lineup

Phillies manager Rob Thomson joined Sports Radio 94WIP, per Jack Fritz, on Thursday and was asked if Bryce Harper will be the two-hole hitter if Trea Turner leads off. To which, Thomson confirmed that Harper would indeed bat behind Turner.

Phillies fans have their answer. Just how much of leadoff shortstop Trea Turner we’re going to get is yet to be determined. Turner is the conventional leadoff hitter the Phillies have danced around, but star first baseman Bryce Harper batting second is an easy answer to the equation. Harper will theoretically get more plate appearances in higher-leverage chances, especially later into games. More chances mean more attempts to swing games in the Phillies’ favor.

Thomson has also remained steadfast on lefty-righty in the order, so a rising bat in third baseman Alec Bohm, followed by Schwarber as cleanup, would give Harper much-needed protection behind him. Protection from one of the league’s best home run hitters could pay huge dividends. Harper has also stated his partiality to batting third but is open to adjusting if it benefits the club (subscription required), per Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

“Obviously, I’m a three-hole hitter, or I have been,” Harper said, per Gelb. “But whenever they tell me to hit two or four, I’ve done that in the past. I want to win, so I don’t care what that takes.”

Batting third has worked very well for Harper, but getting him into the action earlier, with Turner on the basepaths, could breed sustainable success. Harper has been a franchise-altering signing and will surely produce wherever he hits in this stacked lineup. A leadoff home run by Schwarber electrifies the crowd, but pressure with the threat to put away games earlier sounds more like a recipe for winning in the long run.