Baltimore Orioles: Stop trying to make Hunter Harvey happen

Another year, another injury for Baltimore Orioles prospect Hunter Harvey. At this point, one has to wonder if he is ever going to be a major league player.

In theory, Hunter Harvey should be a key part of the Baltimore Orioles future. The former first round pick, and son of former closer Bryan Harvey, he was expected to be a top of the rotation starter, the type of pitcher that the Orioles could build around. He was an automatic top prospect, arguably the best talent in the Baltimore farm system.

However, Harvey has not become the player that the Orioles expected. Instead of establishing himself as a top of the rotation starter for Baltimore, he has been plagued by injuries. Over his five seasons as a professional, Harvey has pitched just 176.2 innings, missing time due to Tommy John surgery and shoulder issues.

Once again, Harvey has suffered a setback. Originally slated to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, those plans were scrapped after he began feeling discomfort in his elbow. Although the initial MRI on August 21 did not reveal any damage, the Orioles have decided to shut him down once again, hoping that the rest may get him to be healthy for next season.

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When he has actually been able to get to the mound, Harvey has produced solid results. Over those 176.2 innings, he has a respectable 3.11 ERA and a 1.166 WHiP, striking out 217 batters with just 60 walks. Those results certainly show that he has the stuff to regain his former top prospect status.

The problem is, Harvey cannot get to the mound. Over the past three years, since he returned from Tommy John surgery, Harvey has thrown a combined 63.2 innings. Yes, he is still only 23 years old, having been drafted out of high school, but there comes a point where one has to see results.

That is the problem. Harvey has plenty of talent in his right arm, and his bloodlines are certainly make him all the more enticing. But that can only go so far. The Orioles need Harvey to develop into a top of the rotation arm, especially given the dearth of viable top end talent in the system. At this point in time, that simply does not appear to be in the cards.

There is no question that Hunter Harvey is talented enough to be the pitcher the Baltimore Orioles need to front their rotation. The problem is, his health, or lack thereof, will not allow that to happen.