Kyle Harrison

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #1 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 60/High
  
  Track Record: Harrison was the Giants’ third-rounder--but their fifth pick--in the five-round 2020 draft, but he earned the second-highest bonus in San Francisco’s class at $2,497,500. The class has been wildly successful, producing three big leaguers already: catcher Patrick Bailey, third baseman Casey Schmitt and Harrison, who made his first start with the Giants on Aug. 22. Before then, Harrison had spent his time in the minor leagues carving hitters with a mix of stuff and deception that led to 295 strikeouts over the last two seasons. That figure includes 186 strikeouts in 2022, which ranked second in the minors. Harrison’s 2023 season began with his first test at Triple-A, which meant a trip to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Beyond that, the league introduced an automated ball-strike system that led to tighter, less-forgiving strike zones. Harrison struggled to adjust to the ABS-enforced zone, and it led to 21 walks in 15.2 April innings. Though his command and control were never sparkling, he calmed down for the remainder of his tenure with Sacramento. Harrison closed his season on a high note, tossing five hitless innings against the Dodgers.
  
  Scouting Report: After a month in the PCL, Harrison and the Giants realized his arsenal would need some tweaking in order to cross the final hurdles. First, they tried adding a gyro slider to his mix but scrapped it because he didn’t throw it with enough velocity. Eventually, they settled on a cutter in addition to his sweepier breaking ball in order to give him a pair of breaking pitches with a wider range of velocity separation. Harrison’s slider is thrown in the low 80s, while his cutter is thrown a few ticks higher in the upper 80s. The two pitches complement an excellent, mid-90s fastball with exceptional horizontal movement and a whiff rate of nearly 25% in MLB. The next piece of the puzzle is the continued development of the changeup. Harrison’s version of the pitch is thrown with a two-seam grip and comes in around 86 mph. In the minors, Harrison threw the changeup roughly 6% of the time, a figure that nearly doubled once he reached MLB. He still needs to show more consistency with the pitch overall, and he needs to prove he can throw it for a called strike instead of merely as a chase pitch. Harrison’s fastball and slider give him two potentially plus weapons. Now, it’s about cementing one or both of the changeup and cutter as reliable third and fourth options. He’ll also have to keep working to maintain his delivery, which gives him plenty of deception but also can negatively affect his control and command, which is unlikely to ever be better than fringy.
  
  The Future: If Harrison can solidify either his cutter or changeup as a reliable third option and improve his control and command, he has the ceiling of a No. 2 starter. If not, he still should fit in the rotation, but perhaps more toward the middle or back. After an extended run in the big leagues in 2023, he’ll have the inside track at earning a rotation spot in 2024 and beyond. n
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Cutter: 50 | Control: 45
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #2 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
  
  Track Record: The Giants went over slot to sign Harrison for $2,497,500 in the third round in 2020 to sway him from his commitment to UCLA. The athletic lefthander immediately rewarded the Giants' faith, first by dominating during instructional league, then by taking the Low-A California League by storm in his pro debut in 2021. His 157 strikeouts were the most in the Cal League and tied him for eighth overall in the minor leagues. He upped the ante in 2022, when his 186 strikeouts were second in the minors only to the D-backs' Brandon Pfaadt. He split the year between High-A Eugene and Double-A Richmond, with a stop at the Futures Game as well.
  
  Scouting Report: Harrison's three-pitch mix is one of the nastiest in the minor leagues. He starts with a mid-90s four-seam fastball that peaked at 97 mph and got swings and misses at an absurd rate of 40.5%, the highest among any minor leaguer who threw 1,000 or more four-seamers. The pitch, along with the rest of his arsenal, is amplified by the deception created in his delivery and an extremely low release point. Harrison's slider was equally nasty. The low-80s sweeper was the better of his two offspeed pitches and was thrown for a strike more often than either his fastball or changeup. Harrison rounds out his mix with a still-developing changeup with plenty of upside. Part of his development in 2022 was centered around improving his changeup, and ideally the Giants would like him throw it between 10 and 20% of the time. Harrison's delivery is a double-edged sword. The elasticity of his body allows him to create funky angles for hitters but also gives him below-average command.
  
  The Future: Harrison will likely head to Triple-A to begin 2023, and he has a ceiling of a starter who can dominate at the top of a rotation.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #5 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Harrison had first-round talent but lasted until the third round of the 2020 draft because of a high price tag and perceived strong commitment to UCLA. The Giants lured him away from college with a bonus of $2,497,500, then watched as he dominated at instructional league in 2020 and posted a strong first season as a pro at Low-A San Jose.
  
  Scouting Report: In terms of pure stuff, Harrison is easily the best pitching prospect in the Giants’ system. His four-seam fastball sits at 94 mph and touches 98 while also showing well in terms of horizontal break and vertical approach angle. Together, those qualities helped Harrison get swings and misses at a 35% rate with his fastball in 2021. Harrison’s offspeed offerings—a slider and a changeup—are even more impressive. Harrison’s slider averages 83 mph and shows dynamic two-plane break while getting swings and misses 43% of the time. He rounds out his mix with a low-80s changeup which averages about 10 mph of separation from his fastball. His changeup’s movement is inconsistent but shows strong fading life at its best. The biggest concern for Harrison right now is working to iron out his command and control. His arm is loose and whippy and easily produces velocity and deception from a low slot and cross-body finish, but he doesn’t repeat it well enough yet to throw strikes consistently. That issue cropped up both in his walk rate and his efficiency, which caused him to go less than five innings in 14 of his 23 starts.
  
  The Future: After an excellent debut season, Harrison will move in 2022 to High-A Eugene. If he can iron out his control, he has the look of a mid-rotation starter with the upside for more.
  
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #5 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 50. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Harrison was the top pitcher on USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in 2019, a loaded squad that featured five future first-round picks. He continued with a dominant showing at the Area Code Games and during the abbreviated 2020 high school season. The Giants drafted him in the third round, No. 85 overall, and signed him for $2,497,500 to pry him from a UCLA commitment. He received the equivalent of first-round money.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Harrison hit the weight room during the coronavirus shutdown and arrived at instructional league throwing harder than he did in the spring. After ranging from 90-94 mph as an amateur, he reached 96 at instructs and showed advanced command. The Giants worked with Harrison to reshape his curveball from a sweepier pitch into something with a sharper angle he could land on the back foot of righthanders. It requires some projection but should be at least an average pitch. His changeup projects as a solid third offering. Harrison impressed the Giants with how much he studies the game. He’s a good athlete with a clean delivery and has above-average control out of his low three-quarters arm slot.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants believe Harrison is the organization’s best pitching prospect. He should see low Class A in 2021.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #71 prospect in 2020 draft
  One of the more polished lefthanders in the prep class, Harrison was one of five starters for USA Baseball’s 18U National team. With the Americans, Harrison threw 10 innings over two starts (and one relief appearance) with 12 strikeouts and four walks. A 6-foot-2, 200-pound low-slot lefty, Harrison pitches in the 90-92 mph range and can reach up to 94. The pitch has plenty of running action thanks in part to a low, three-quarters arm slot. He shows signs of good secondary offerings, though they need a bit more polish. The UCLA commit throws a sweeping breaking ball in the 75-79 mph range that gets slurvy at times, but the pitch has a big break and Wiffle ball-like movement at times. He shows good feel for the pitch, which presents a tough angle for lefthandters, but he has also shown an ability to back-foot righthanded hitters. Additionally, he throws a changeup that has the makings of a third solid offering. Harrison is a good athlete and strike-thrower, with a clean delivery and a fastball that plays up thanks to its natural movement. Scouts believe that he could become a monster in three years if he makes it to campus at UCLA, and he could be tough to sign away from the Bruins program.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #10 prospect in 2021
  Harrison showed some of the best stuff in Low-A West, though he is still learning to harness it. He led the league with 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings but also led the league with 15 hit batters and had the fifth-most walks. Harrison’s fastball sat 93-96 mph, and he backed it up with a potential plus slider in the low 80s and a tumbling mid-80s changeup. He reached his best stuff out of loose, easy delivery, kept a good tempo and showed the ability to regroup in tough situations. Harrison lasted fewer than five innings in 14 of his 23 starts, mostly due to elevated pitch counts. He often fell in love with velocity at the expense of control and will need to throttle down to become even an average strike-thrower. He has the delivery and athleticism to do so if he adjusts his intent. “He’s only going to get better with experience,” Rancho Cucamonga manager John Shoemaker said. “It’s not like he went a long way in each outing, but you could just see it. As long as this guy continues to develop and work and gain confidence, he’s going to be real good.”

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #30 prospect in 2023
• Ranked Baseball America's #37 prospect in 2023
• Ranked Baseball America's #95 prospect in 2022

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
  
  Track Record: The Giants went over slot to sign Harrison for $2,497,500 in the third round in 2020 to sway him from his commitment to UCLA. The athletic lefthander immediately rewarded the Giants' faith, first by dominating during instructional league, then by taking the Low-A California League by storm in his pro debut in 2021. His 157 strikeouts were the most in the Cal League and tied him for eighth overall in the minor leagues. He upped the ante in 2022, when his 186 strikeouts were second in the minors only to the D-backs' Brandon Pfaadt. He split the year between High-A Eugene and Double-A Richmond, with a stop at the Futures Game as well.
  
  Scouting Report: Harrison's three-pitch mix is one of the nastiest in the minor leagues. He starts with a mid-90s four-seam fastball that peaked at 97 mph and got swings and misses at an absurd rate of 40.5%, the highest among any minor leaguer who threw 1,000 or more four-seamers. The pitch, along with the rest of his arsenal, is amplified by the deception created in his delivery and an extremely low release point. Harrison's slider was equally nasty. The low-80s sweeper was the better of his two offspeed pitches and was thrown for a strike more often than either his fastball or changeup. Harrison rounds out his mix with a still-developing changeup with plenty of upside. Part of his development in 2022 was centered around improving his changeup, and ideally the Giants would like him throw it between 10 and 20% of the time. Harrison's delivery is a double-edged sword. The elasticity of his body allows him to create funky angles for hitters but also gives him below-average command.
  
  The Future: Harrison will likely head to Triple-A to begin 2023, and he has a ceiling of a starter who can dominate at the top of a rotation.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
  
  Track Record: The Giants went over slot to sign Harrison for $2,497,500 in the third round in 2020 to sway him from his commitment to UCLA. The athletic lefthander immediately rewarded the Giants' faith, first by dominating during instructional league, then by taking the Low-A California League by storm in his pro debut in 2021. His 157 strikeouts were the most in the Cal League and tied him for eighth overall in the minor leagues. He upped the ante in 2022, when his 186 strikeouts were second in the minors only to the D-backs' Brandon Pfaadt. He split the year between High-A Eugene and Double-A Richmond, with a stop at the Futures Game as well.
  
  Scouting Report: Harrison's three-pitch mix is one of the nastiest in the minor leagues. He starts with a mid-90s four-seam fastball that peaked at 97 mph and got swings and misses at an absurd rate of 40.5%, the highest among any minor leaguer who threw 1,000 or more four-seamers. The pitch, along with the rest of his arsenal, is amplified by the deception created in his delivery and an extremely low release point. Harrison's slider was equally nasty. The low-80s sweeper was the better of his two offspeed pitches and was thrown for a strike more often than either his fastball or changeup. Harrison rounds out his mix with a still-developing changeup with plenty of upside. Part of his development in 2022 was centered around improving his changeup, and ideally the Giants would like him throw it between 10 and 20% of the time. Harrison's delivery is a double-edged sword. The elasticity of his body allows him to create funky angles for hitters but also gives him below-average command.
  
  The Future: Harrison will likely head to Triple-A to begin 2023, and he has a ceiling of a starter who can dominate at the top of a rotation.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 60/High
  
  Track Record: Harrison had first-round talent but lasted until the third round of the 2020 draft because of a high price tag and perceived strong commitment to UCLA. The Giants lured him away from college with a bonus of $2,497,500, then watched as he dominated at instructional league in 2020 and posted a strong first season as a pro at Low-A San Jose.
  
  Scouting Report: In terms of pure stuff, Harrison is easily the best pitching prospect in the Giants&#39 system. His four-seam fastball sits at 94 mph and touches 98 while also showing well in terms of horizontal break and vertical approach angle. Together, those qualities helped Harrison get swings and misses at a 35% rate with his fastball in 2021. Harrison&#39s offspeed offerings—a slider and a changeup—are even more impressive. Harrison&#39s slider averages 83 mph and shows dynamic two-plane break while getting swings and misses 43% of the time. He rounds out his mix with a low-80s changeup which averages about 10 mph of separation from his fastball. His changeup&#39s movement is inconsistent but shows strong fading life at its best. The biggest concern for Harrison right now is working to iron out his command and control. His arm is loose and whippy and easily produces velocity and deception from a low slot and cross-body finish, but he doesn&#39t repeat it well enough yet to throw strikes consistently. That issue cropped up both in his walk rate and his efficiency, which caused him to go less than five innings in 14 of his 23 starts.
  
  The Future: After an excellent debut season, Harrison will move in 2022 to High-A Eugene. If he can iron out his control, he has the look of a mid-rotation starter with the upside for more.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Harrison had first-round talent but lasted until the third round of the 2020 draft because of a high price tag and perceived strong commitment to UCLA. The Giants lured him away from college with a bonus of $2,497,500, then watched as he dominated at instructional league in 2020 and posted a strong first season as a pro at Low-A San Jose.
  
  Scouting Report: In terms of pure stuff, Harrison is easily the best pitching prospect in the Giants’ system. His four-seam fastball sits at 94 mph and touches 98 while also showing well in terms of horizontal break and vertical approach angle. Together, those qualities helped Harrison get swings and misses at a 35% rate with his fastball in 2021. Harrison’s offspeed offerings—a slider and a changeup—are even more impressive. Harrison’s slider averages 83 mph and shows dynamic two-plane break while getting swings and misses 43% of the time. He rounds out his mix with a low-80s changeup which averages about 10 mph of separation from his fastball. His changeup’s movement is inconsistent but shows strong fading life at its best. The biggest concern for Harrison right now is working to iron out his command and control. His arm is loose and whippy and easily produces velocity and deception from a low slot and cross-body finish, but he doesn’t repeat it well enough yet to throw strikes consistently. That issue cropped up both in his walk rate and his efficiency, which caused him to go less than five innings in 14 of his 23 starts.
  
  The Future: After an excellent debut season, Harrison will move in 2022 to High-A Eugene. If he can iron out his control, he has the look of a mid-rotation starter with the upside for more.
  
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Harrison showed some of the best stuff in Low-A West, though he is still learning to harness it. He led the league with 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings but also led the league with 15 hit batters and had the fifth-most walks. Harrison’s fastball sat 93-96 mph, and he backed it up with a potential plus slider in the low 80s and a tumbling mid-80s changeup. He reached his best stuff out of loose, easy delivery, kept a good tempo and showed the ability to regroup in tough situations. Harrison lasted fewer than five innings in 14 of his 23 starts, mostly due to elevated pitch counts. He often fell in love with velocity at the expense of control and will need to throttle down to become even an average strike-thrower. He has the delivery and athleticism to do so if he adjusts his intent. “He’s only going to get better with experience,” Rancho Cucamonga manager John Shoemaker said. “It’s not like he went a long way in each outing, but you could just see it. As long as this guy continues to develop and work and gain confidence, he’s going to be real good.”
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 50. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Harrison was the top pitcher on USA Baseball's 18U National Team in 2019, a loaded squad that featured five future first-round picks. He continued with a dominant showing at the Area Code Games and during the abbreviated 2020 high school season. The Giants drafted him in the third round, No. 85 overall, and signed him for $2,497,500 to pry him from a UCLA commitment. He received the equivalent of first-round money.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Harrison hit the weight room during the coronavirus shutdown and arrived at instructional league throwing harder than he did in the spring. After ranging from 90-94 mph as an amateur, he reached 96 at instructs and showed advanced command. The Giants worked with Harrison to reshape his curveball from a sweepier pitch into something with a sharper angle he could land on the back foot of righthanders. It requires some projection but should be at least an average pitch. His changeup projects as a solid third offering. Harrison impressed the Giants with how much he studies the game. He's a good athlete with a clean delivery and has above-average control out of his low three-quarters arm slot.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants believe Harrison is the organization's best pitching prospect. He should see low Class A in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 50. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Harrison was the top pitcher on USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in 2019, a loaded squad that featured five future first-round picks. He continued with a dominant showing at the Area Code Games and during the abbreviated 2020 high school season. The Giants drafted him in the third round, No. 85 overall, and signed him for $2,497,500 to pry him from a UCLA commitment. He received the equivalent of first-round money.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Harrison hit the weight room during the coronavirus shutdown and arrived at instructional league throwing harder than he did in the spring. After ranging from 90-94 mph as an amateur, he reached 96 at instructs and showed advanced command. The Giants worked with Harrison to reshape his curveball from a sweepier pitch into something with a sharper angle he could land on the back foot of righthanders. It requires some projection but should be at least an average pitch. His changeup projects as a solid third offering. Harrison impressed the Giants with how much he studies the game. He’s a good athlete with a clean delivery and has above-average control out of his low three-quarters arm slot.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants believe Harrison is the organization’s best pitching prospect. He should see low Class A in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 50. Control: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Harrison was the top pitcher on USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in 2019, a loaded squad that featured five future first-round picks. He continued with a dominant showing at the Area Code Games and during the abbreviated 2020 high school season. The Giants drafted him in the third round, No. 85 overall, and signed him for $2,497,500 to pry him from a UCLA commitment. He received the equivalent of first-round money.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Harrison hit the weight room during the coronavirus shutdown and arrived at instructional league throwing harder than he did in the spring. After ranging from 90-94 mph as an amateur, he reached 96 at instructs and showed advanced command. The Giants worked with Harrison to reshape his curveball from a sweepier pitch into something with a sharper angle he could land on the back foot of righthanders. It requires some projection but should be at least an average pitch. His changeup projects as a solid third offering. Harrison impressed the Giants with how much he studies the game. He’s a good athlete with a clean delivery and has above-average control out of his low three-quarters arm slot.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Giants believe Harrison is the organization’s best pitching prospect. He should see low Class A in 2021.