Giants believe ‘sky’s the limit’ for LHP prospect Harrison originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Kyle Harrison was the fifth player the Giants picked in the 2020 MLB Draft. Let’s make one thing clear, though: The lefty from De La Salle High School was priority No. 1 for Farhan Zaidi and the rest of the front office.
The Giants signed the former UCLA commit for nearly $2.5 million for a reason. They believe he has the potential to be a true ace down the road, and that was on full display this season with the San Jose Giants.
“I always have to temper my enthusiasm but this is one of the better raw-ingredient players that the Giants have had on the mound in a long time,” Giants director of player development Kyle Haines said Friday on KNBR.
Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain and so many more. The Giants for a long time were known for their ability to develop in-house pitchers and make them key parts of the rotation. Logan Webb was the latest example of this with his breakout season and star performance in the playoffs this year.
Harrison, who turned 20 years old on Aug. 20, has the talent to be the next in line for San Francisco. His first taste of the minor leagues had its ups and downs this season but the good far outweighed the bad.
Really, from the moment the Giants signed him through the present day, he has done everything right. Whether it’s during the season or in the offseason, Harrison has answered the call.
Ahead of the 2020 draft, Harrison threw in the low 90s. He improved mechanically and in the weight room and now sits in the mid-to-upper 90s. Harrison refined his command as the season went on and has a wipeout breaking ball that his high school coach has compared to seven-time All-Star Chris Sale. That work translated into results this year, making him one of the best pitchers in all of Low-A.