Neal Huntington believes Josh Harrison has struggled this season because he is trying too hard as he looks to justify his new contract.

Harrison, 27, is hitting .173/.209/.282 with two home runs and six RBI after a breakout 2014 season that saw him hit .315/.347/.490 in 550 plate appearances.

"Josh is the main the guy trying to do too much to justify [his contract]," Huntington said. "You generally see guys go in three directions when they get a contract. One, they relax and you see the true player because they have nothing to worry about as they are financially set for life. Two, we see a player that relaxes and maybe doesn't care enough because he is financially set for life and so he takes a deep breath and doesn't give you same energy and effort which is certainly not the case with Josh.

"The third case, which is what we believe is the case with Josh, he is trying to justify the contract, he is trying to show those who doubted him and show those of us that had faith in him that he is deserving but we just need him to take a deep breath and go be the player that he is capable of, bring the energy, be the leader, be the dangerous guy in the box."