By Manny Randhawa

The rise of Josh Harrison comes as no surprise to Josh Harrison.

The 5-foot-8 super utility player for the Pirates, who became an All-Star for the first time this summer and entered the final game of the regular season on Sunday with a chance at a National League batting title, is very matter-of-fact about his abilities even as the baseball world continues to marvel at his sudden ascension.

Along with reigning NL Most Valuable Player Andrew McCutchen, who is having another McCutchen-esque season in 2014, Harrison is one of the main reasons the Pirates are headed back to the postseason for the second consecutive year after a 21-year playoff drought.

But when he’s asked how he’s come so far, so fast, Harrison — who was batting .250 in 532 career at-bats coming into this season — gives the verbal equivalent of a shoulder shrug.

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