Matt Harrison

Lets look at the young 26 year old left hander from Durham, North Carolina, Matt Harrison. Harrison was drafted in the third round of the 2003 MLB draft by the Atlanta Braves. Harrison spent 5 years in the minors with the Braves until he was traded to the Texas Rangers.

In Harrison’s stint with the Braves minor league teams his compiled a record of 56-35 from rookie ball to double A Harrison’s career high in the minors came with the Braves in ’05 with 118 on the year. When Harrison got traded to the Ranger Harrison bounced up and down from the minors to the majors at the age of 22. Harrison pitched 35 total games from 2008 to 2010 bouncing back and forth from team to team.

Harrison made his first career start in 2008 and went 9-3 on the season with a 5.49 ERA and 42 strikeouts bouncing from minors to majors. In 2009 Harrison would go 4-5 in 11 starts with a 6.11 ERA on the season. in 2010 Harrison went 3-2 in just 6 starts. Harrison came in relief in 31 games that year with a 4.71 ERA on the season. Then in 2011 came Harrison’s proving year where he made 30 starts and had a 14-9 record and a 3.39 ERA with 126 strikeouts on the season. Harrison at the age of 25 was ready to stay in the rotation.

This season Harrison is already 12-4 with a 2.87 ERA. At the age of 26, Harrison is 2nd in wins just 1 behind David Price the AL leader. Harrison has stuck out 73, 122 innings pitched, and a 1.23 WHIP( walks and hits per innings pitched) At 26 Harrison is another up and coming star in MLB and should be around for many years to come. Harrison has a chance to be in the talk of cy young come end of the year if he keeps up his amazing play. Harrison has won 8 of his last 10 starts and his next start comes Sunday against the Angels.

Coach Tom