Kyle Harrison, LHP
DOB: 8/12/2001
BATS: R  /  THROWS: L
ACQUIRED: Drafted 2020, 3rd Round
LAST LEVEL: Low-A
VOLATILITY: High

STATS

Lev
ERA
G
GS
SV
IP
H
R
ER
HR
BB
SO
HBP
WP
WHIP
BB9
SO9
SO/W
2021
San Jose
A
3.19
23
23
0
98.2
86
43
35
3
52
157
15
4
1.399
4.7
14.3
3.02

See Full Stats Here

GiantFutures 2022 Ranks: #1 Starting Pitcher, #4 Overall

Performance: Kyle Harrison wasn’t the highest Giants draft pick in 2020, but he ended up the highest-paid, and potentially the top draft pick.  He did nothing to undermine that line of thought, surpassing any draft expectations and having a spectacular year in 2021, getting on several Top 100 lists across baseball.  In his debut, even with a limited workload, Harrison had a 3.19 ERA over 23 starts, and tied for the 8th most strikeouts in the minors with 157, despite throwing just 98.2 innings.  His 14.32 K/9 rate was the 3rd-best in the minors with a minimum of 90 innings.

While Harrison dominated in terms of strikeouts, he was giving up baserunners.  He walked 52, allowed 15 hit batters, and 86 hits, which was equal to a .232 average allowed, and a 1.40 WHIP.  He also allowed an extreme reverse split, with a .302 batting average allowed to left-handed hitters.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Harrison added some velocity to his fastball after getting drafted, and his fastball is excellent, with great movement both vertically and horizontally.  He pairs it with a low-80’s slider he uses to get swings and misses.  He also has a changeup that is still developing.

Harrison’s biggest trouble right now is his control.  He’s got an arm motion that whips across his body, and it has led to some control issues so far.  The motion is relies on Harrison having a consistent release point, or else his fastball could whip across the zone and miss more often than it hits.

2022 Outlook: Harrison overcame his struggles and dominated across Low-A.  2022 will see him head to High-A to face more advanced hitters, and longer workloads.

Future Profile: Kyle Harrison has a lot of acclaim, and he has a ceiling as a number 2 type of starter, though not quite as an ace.  Harrison’s floor falls pretty far into mid-relief, but his more likely landing spot might be in the middle of the rotation.