Adam Harben
| IP | 625 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.715 |
| WHIP | 1.432 |
| BB/9 | 4.723 |
| SO/9 | 8.107 |
- Full name Adam Benjamin Harben
- Born 08/19/1983 in North Little Rock, AR
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Arkansas - Fort Smith
- Drafted in the 15th round (452nd overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2002.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Coming out of Central Arkansas Christian High in Little Rock, the same school that produced A.J. Burnett, Harben didn't sign with the Tigers as a 38th-round afterthought in 2001. Instead, he attended Westark (Ark.) Community College, where he roomed with Toby Gardenhire, whose father Ron manages the Twins. Thanks to a strong recommendation from Toby (who signed with Minnesota as a 41st-round pick in 2005), as well as area scout Gregg Miller, Harben fell into Minnesota's lap as a 15th-round steal in 2002. His fastball was down a notch to 92-94 mph in 2005, occasionally dropping into the high 80s, in part because of nagging trouble with a strained lat muscle. His slider was inconsistent and he still lacks confidence with his changeup. But he was the mainstay of a talented Fort Myers rotation, tossing a one-hitter against Brevard County in mid-June and impressing Florida State League observers. Harben has a prototypical pitcher's frame, throws downhill and shows a willingness to pitch inside. He has improved his conditioning and mechanics since signing. Added to the 40-man roster for the first time in November, he's ready for Double-A. -
The Tigers weren't able to sign Harben as a 38th-round pick in 2001 out of Central Arkansas Christian (Little Rock), the same high school that produced A.J. Burnett. Harben instead attended Westark (Ark.) CC, where he roomed with Toby Gardenhire, whose father Ron manages the Twins. Based in part on Toby Gardenhire's recommendation, as well as area scout Gregg Miller's, Minnesota stole Harben in the 15th round in 2002. Harben made significant strides last season, proving to Twins brass that he has enough to profile as a big league starter. He showed a full mix of pitches, starting with a 91-95 mph fastball that touches 97 and a solid-average hard slider. His changeup came along nicely and his overall pitching presence was sound. Harben maintains his stuff through the late innings. He has improved his conditioning and mechanics since signing, now showing a smooth, effortless delivery. He has one of the more electric arms in a stacked system and acquitted himself well in a loaded Quad Cities rotation that also included Glen Perkins, Justin Jones, Scott Tyler and Errol Simonitsch. After two years in low Class A, Harben is ready to move up a level. -
Harben was drafted in the 38th round by the Tigers in 2001 out of Central Arkansas Christian High, the same school that produced A.J. Burnett six years earlier. Instead of signing, Harben went to Westark, where he roomed with Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire's son Toby. Area scout Gregg Miller did a good job following Harben and tabbing him in the 15th round, while Toby Gardenhire served as something of a bird-dog scout. When questions about Harben's makeup came up, Gardenhire was able to provide the Twins with inside info to confirm Miller's reports. Harben has shown nothing but solid work ethic since signing and has exceeded expectations as a mid-round pick. His arm works free and easy, pumping 91-95 mph fastballs on a downhill plane. Gangly but athletic, he throws a good slider and is developing a solid changeup with late fade. The Twins projected him as more of a reliever, but Harben refined his mechanics and improved his conditioning. He benefited from more drive from his lower half. His mechanics and command need to become more consistent. He didn't miss as many bats as he should with his stuff because he doesn't locate his pitches well. Harben will pitch in the rotation at high Class A Fort Myers this year.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Harben was part of a very impressive Fort Myers rotation that also included Justin Jones, Glen Perkins, Jay Rainville and Anthony Swarzak. All of them are quality prospects who succeeded in the FSL, and Harben has the best pure arm. Harben has velocity and savvy. His lively fastball usually sat at 91-93 mph and touched 96, but he was effective in a couple of starts when he had to work in the high 80s. He also has a tight slider and a less advanced changeup. He uses his 6-foot-5 height well, getting good extension that makes his fastball seem even harder than it is. He's still working on his control, as he suffered occasional bouts of wildness. -
A work in progress, Harben showed the most upside on an impressive Quad Cities staff that also featured lefthanders Glen Perkins, Justin Jones and Errol Simonitsch and righty Scott Tyler. Hitters had trouble doing anything with Harben's heavy fastball because he used his 6-foot-5 frame to leverage down in the zone. His fastball velocity has increased each year since he signed in 2002; it now sits at 91-93 mph and peaks at 97. Harben has improved his consistency as well, and his effortless delivery has helped him better his command. Harben's second pitch, a slider, isn't totally reliable yet. He needs to refine his changeup and throw more strikes, but could be a good middle-of-the-rotation starter once he puts everything together.
