Matt Harrison

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

Harrison emerged after a few mediocre seasons to win 14 games and post a 3.39 ERA. His peripherals (126:57 K:BB in 185.2 innings) don't point to continued success, though an excellent infield defense will help hide some of his flaws. That said, Harrison maintained the increase in his swinging-strike percentage from 2010 (7.6 percent) and he continues to induce plenty of outs on the ground. He rebounded from a poor August (6.07 ERA, 1.517 WHIP) with an excellent September (2.64 ERA, 1.174 WHIP), so he shouldn't have any issues shouldering a full workload again in 2012 as a member of the rotation.

2011

Harrison began the year in the rotation, but a trip to the DL with biceps tendinitis put a quick end to that in early May and he struggled out of the bullpen upon his return. He walks too many to be an effective lefty specialist, and he's destined to spend another year in middle-to-long relief out of the Texas bullpen as something of a spare part.

2010

Harrison was cuffed around (again) for the most part, though he did have some success early in the season for a string of starts. He battled shoulder injuries, making just two starts after June and eventually underwent surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in July. He was able to come back for a few starts in the AFL, showing good velocity but not much command. His major league career totals aren't very good (147 innings, 181 hits, 76:54 K:BB) despite pitching pretty well in the minors leading up to his debut in 2008. He's too young, and showed enough promise in the minors, to dismiss him completely, though the improved infield defense that Texas now sports won't help him as much as others given his flyball tendencies. He'll compete for a rotation spot this spring, and the shoulder shouldn't be a limiting factor.

2009

Quick quiz: Predict the W/L record for the following stat line: 83.2 innings, 100 hits, 31 walks, 42 K, 5.49 ERA. Let's assume 9-3 wasn't your answer. He'll be a swimmer in the rather large pool of rotation candidates with Texas next spring, which is all you need to know about Texas' pitching. That said, he's a 23-year-old lefty who has had success across his minor league stops, so Harrison has more upside than most of his competition for open spots in the Rangers' rotation.

2008

Harrison was shut down by Texas due to shoulder discomfort after being acquired in the Mark Teixeira trade, but did manage to return to make seven starts in the Arizona Fall League (27 hits, 16 hits, 19:7 K:BB ratio). His numbers at Double-A Mississippi (116.2 innings, 188 hits, 78:34 K:BB ratio) while still with Atlanta were a drop off from his 2006 season in terms of K/9IP, but we can give him a shoulder-related mulligan. He'll see significant time at Triple-A in 2008 and could be ready for a rotation spot at this time next year.

2007

Harrison, a 2003 third-round pick, had an outstanding 114:33 K:BB in 159 innings between High-A and Double-A last season. Scouts rave about his command of three pitches at a young age. A strong full season at Double-A in 2007 could make him a factor in the majors in 2008. He's a minor league keeper to grab as a result.

2006

Harrison showed outstanding control at High-A Rome (118/30 K/BB ratio in 167 innings) and scouts rave about his command of three pitches at a very early age. He could rise quickly in the Atlanta farm system as a result.