Baltimore Orioles: Hunter Harvey set to make debut

Once one of the prized prospects in the game, Hunter Harve is finally set to make his debut with the Baltimore Orioles.

When Hunter Harvey was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, expectations were high. The son of Bryan Harvey, Hunter was expected to be the Baltimore Orioles next pitching star, a potential ace that could lead the franchise into the next decade. However, injuries derailed his development, leaving the one time consensus top 100 prospect as a potential bust.

This season, Harvey has been healthy. He has once again moved through the Orioles system, and is set to make his major league debut as he was promoted to the majors on Saturday.

It has been a long road back to health. He has pitched a combined 22 games since the end of 2014, as he has dealt with a myriad of elbow and shoulder, including Tommy Joh surgery. He even injured his shoulder dodging a foul ball in the dugout in 2018, perhaps cementing his place as an injury prone, but talented, pitcher.

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While Harvey has been healthy this season, the results have not been there. He has shuffled between the rotation and the bullpen, spending time in both AA and AAA. Across the two levels, he posted a combined 5.00 ERA and a 1.348 WHiP across his 75.2 innings, striking out 83 batters with 26 walks.

It is notable that he was converted into a reliever at the AAA level. He has the stuff to potentially be effective in that role, with a fastball that can reach the upper 90s and an excellent curve. Should he be able to remain healthy and display better command, it would not be a surprise if Harvey eventually became the Orioles closer.

He certainly has the bloodlines for such a move. His father was a two time All Star, saving 25 or more games four times in his career, and led the league in 1991 with 46 saves. If ever there was to be a perfect mentor for a young closer, the former top prospect has one.

Hunter Harvey is set to make his debut with the Baltimore Orioles. He may no longer be viewed as a possible top of the rotation starter, but he can still make an impact on the Orioles future.