Hunter Harvey

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #14 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Harvey was the Orioles' top prospect after signing for a $1.95 million bonus in 2013 and dominating low Class A Delmarva in his first full season. Elbow injuries that led to Tommy John surgery along with subsequent shoulder issues meant the only healthy season was 2019, when he made his major league debut in the Orioles' bullpen. He missed most of the 2020 season with forearm soreness.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Through his health issues, Harvey has maintained an electric fastball that sits in the upper 90s and reaches 99 mph, though it can be flat at times. While he's always had at least an aboveaverage breaking ball, Harvey added a splitter in 2019 that flashed above-average but wasn't as consistent in 2020. That can be his primary out pitch should he throw it with proper arm speed instead of trying to slow down and get better shape on it. Harvey throws strikes with average control, but he's never shown the ability to stay on the mound for long.
  
  THE FUTURE: Harvey's health remains difficult to rely on. Still, with any luck he can be a top-level setup man in the majors.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #8 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: When the Orioles drafted Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, and Hunter Harvey in the first round in three consecutive years, the trio was meant to be the foundation of their rotation. Harvey was spectacular in 2014, but he had Tommy John surgery in 2016 after two years of elbow soreness and made just nine starts in 2018 due to a shoulder injury. Fully healthy in 2019, he started in the Double-A rotation before moving to the pen and shooting to Baltimore.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Armed with a fastball that sat 97-99 mph and bumped 100 in his new relief role, Harvey increasingly looks the part of a closer, like his all-star father Bryan. Harvey backs up his four-seamer with an above-average splitter like his father used, and he also has an above-average power curveball at 84-85 mph with good shape. Harvey's cross-body delivery still gives some observers pause and limits his control to average, at best. He has significantly filled out his frame, but his injury history affects his durability and likelihood of him ever starting. He has yet to show he can work back-to-back days regularly (he only did it once last year).
  
  THE FUTURE: Harvey's major league cameo made it clear he can be a late-inning reliever and possible closer for the Orioles. He'll be back in 2021 pitching in late relief as long as his health allows.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #7 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Harvey quickly established himself as one of the Orioles' most talented pitchers, but in six pro seasons, his career has been totally derailed by injuries. It includes elbow soreness in 2014, a fractured leg in 2015 and groin surgery in 2016 before Tommy John surgery later that summer. From 2015 to 2017, he threw a total of 32.2 innings over three seasons. Despite that, the Orioles added Harvey to their 40-man roster before the 2018 season. He impressed in spring training, leading the Orioles to consider adding him to the big league roster. But after nine starts for Double-A Bowie he went back to the disabled list again with a shoulder injury. Harvey has spent time on the disabled list in five of his six pro seasons.
  
  Scouting Report: Harvey's stuff has never been an issue, but it won't matter if he can't pitch. Coming from a crossfire delivery that could be problematic for his command at the highest level, Harvey' plus fastball sits 92-95 mph and has reached 97 with run and angle, and his two-plane curveball still impresses. His changeup is still a developing pitch, and he added a cutter in 2018, though not in games. There's some effort in Harvey's delivery, and while his frame has filled out, it hasn't shown in an improved ability to be able to handle a workload.
  
  The Future: The Orioles constantly point to another injury-beset top pick--Dylan Bundy--in not discounting Harvey's promise to be a No. 3 starter. It's a big ask for a pitcher who has never thrown 100 innings in a pro season to ramp up to such a heavier workload. If he can't hold up, he has an electric high-leverage relief arsenal.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #4 prospect in 2018
  Harvey is attempting to follow in his father's footsteps. Bryan Harvey made two all-star appearances and saved 177 games as a closer with the Angels and Marlins. The younger Harvey dazzled in his first year as a professional before elbow injuries derailed him. Two years of elbow soreness culminated in Tommy John surgery in June 2016. He also dealt with a shin fracture and a sports hernia in that span. Harvey rehabbed to full strength by the end of 2017, allowing his first earned runs in his eighth and final rehab appearance to finish with a 2.08 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 18 innings. Most encouragingly, Harvey's stuff showed no ill effects from the long layoff. Harvey's 92-95 mph fastball reaches 97 and rates as an above-average pitch with downhill angle that he can command to both sides of the plate with armside run. His curveball slowly came back after the surgery but by the end of the season it was showing the sharp, two-plane break that made it a plus pitch pre-injury. He seldom throws his changeup in games, but the pitch has average potential. Harvey matured physically and grew into the wiry frame that initially led to durability concerns. A healthy Harvey projects as a No. 3 starter, with the potential for high-leverage relief if his changeup doesn't develop or his crossfire delivery prevents him from throwing quality strikes with all three pitches. Baltimore added him to the 40-man roster during the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The Orioles hope he can build up his innings in the minor leagues to provide a firm base for his future.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #4 prospect in 2017
  When the Orioles drafted Harvey 22nd overall in 2013, they probably envisioned him in their rotation by now. The son of former big league closer Bryan Harvey, Hunter showed big-time potential from the outset, but injuries have sidetracked his career. In 2014, he was shut down in late July with a strained right flexor mass. A shin injury and later elbow issues derailed his 2015 season. In May 2016, he had sports hernia surgery. Harvey finally returned to a mound in June 2016, and he managed to make it through just five games before being shut down yet again. He had Tommy John surgery in Charlotte on July 26, with doctors using a tendon from his hamstring to repair his elbow. One scout said a healthy Harvey showed everything you want in a top-of-the-rotation starter--talent, poise and mound presence. Before the injuries, he commanded a fastball that sat between 92-94 mph and touched 97, as well as a plus curveball that overmatched hitters at times. His changeup made solid gains during 2014 and flashed plus. Harvey won't pitch again for 12-18 months after the surgery, though he could resume throwing early in 2017, and his next game action likely will come in 2018. Dylan Bundy's successful return from a similar fallow period gives the Orioles reason for optimism.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #2 prospect in 2016
  The Orioles drafted Harvey, whose father Bryan was an all-star closer with the Angels and Marlins, 22nd overall in 2013 and signed him to a slot bonus of $1,947,600. His talent was evident at low Class A Delmarva in 2014, when he struck out 10.9 batters per nine innings before being shut down in late July with a strained right flexor mass in his elbow. While Harvey has not had surgery, he also has not pitched in a game since then. He looked good at 2015 spring training before he was hit by a comebacker and suffered a shin injury. He returned to pitch in extended spring only to be shut down with elbow stiffness. Harvey received a platelet-rich plasma injection during a May 18 visit with Dr. James Andrews. He returned to pitch in instructional league only to be shut down for the third time in 2015 with elbow discomfort. In early October, Dr. Andrews recommended up to six weeks of rest before the resumption of a throwing program. Doctors detected healing on Harvey's MRI and surgery has not been recommended. One scout said a healthy Harvey showed everything you want in a top-of-the-rotation starter--talent, poise and mound presence. He commanded a fastball that sat between 92-94 mph and touched 97 as well as a plus curveball that overmatched hitters at times. His changeup made gains in 2014 and flashed plus. The Orioles are hopeful Harvey will be 100 percent healthy in 2016. If he is, he could begin 2016 at high Class A Frederick with the potential to move quickly.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #2 prospect in 2015
  The son of former big league closer Bryan Harvey, Hunter Harvey was the 22nd overall pick in 2013 and the Orioles signed him to a slot bonus of $1,947,600. Harvey earned a spot in the Futures Game with a strong first half in 2014, but was shut down in late July with a flexor mass muscle strain in his right forearm. Harvey showed excellent command of a fastball that sat in the 92-94 mph range, touching 95 and 96. He showed a sharp, plus curveball from 72-77 mph with tight spin that can overmatch hitters at times. His changeup made big gains during the season but remains his third-best pitch. He has the potential for three plus pitches. His pedigree was displayed in his mound presence, composure and pitching smarts. One scout said he's everything you want in a top of the rotation starter. As Harvey advances he will need to improve at holding runners on base. He sometimes throws across his body, which may have led to his injured forearm. Harvey said that doctors told him he would not need surgery, and Orioles officials said the same. Health and experience stand between him and the front of the Orioles' future rotation. He should pitch at high Class A Frederick in 2015. His big league ETA could be 2017.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #4 prospect in 2014
  For the third year in a row the Orioles took a righthander with their top draft pick when they selected Harvey 22nd overall last June. About two weeks later he agreed to a $1,947,600 bonus. Hunter's father Bryan saved 177 games over a nine-year big league career, and Baltimore considered Hunter to have advanced mechanics and knowledge of pitching. He impressed at short-season Aberdeen, then was at his best in the New York-Penn League playoffs, when he threw five no-hit innings against Tri-City. His fastball sat 93-94 mph and touched 95 in that start, and peaked at 97 early in the spring. He has smooth mechanics that ought to allow him to maintain premium velocity as he fills out. His sharp curveball earns plus grades at its best. Aberdeen manager Matt Merullo described him as "intimidating, not intimidated." Harvey seldom threw changeups in high school but has shown potential with that pitch. He showed the poise and mound presence of a much more experienced pitcher. The Orioles expect Harvey to begin 2014 at low Class A Delmarva, where he'll work on developing his changeup. He has shown the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #33 prospect in 2013 draft
  The son of former major league closer Bryan Harvey, Hunter offers lots of projection between his stuff and frame. He is 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, with room to add strength. His arm is quick and generates a fastball that sits 89-92 mph. He reportedly hit 97 early in the spring, but has battled unseasonably cold weather and hasn't shown that kind of velocity on a regular basis. He has a sharp breaking ball that's inconsistent but projects to be at least an average pitch. Pitching in western North Carolina, Harvey doesn't face great competition, so he dominates hitters with his fastball and rarely throws a changeup. He has flashed a good one and includes it in his pregame bullpen routine. Harvey has not made a college commitment and has been open about his desire to start pro ball, which could move him up draft boards.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #10 prospect in 2014
  If Harvey had finished the season healthy, he probably would rank higher on this list, but in fact he was shut down at the end of July with a flexor mass strain. The Orioles say that the prized righthander has sustained no damage to his elbow ligament, but then Dylan Bundy's elbow injury was initially diagnosed with a flexor mass strain as well before he succumbed to Tommy John surgery. Harvey's combination of a 92-96 mph fastball and above-average, if inconsistent, curveball gave him two of the better offerings in the league. His changeup is below-average but shows promise as well. Evaluators were impressed with his mound demeanor, mature approach to the game and feel for pitching. The biggest concerns about Harvey were tied to his skinny frame, concerns that were exacerbated by his injury. "The only thing you worry about his size. Can he handle the workload? He needs to get stronger," said one opposing manager.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #68 prospect in 2015

• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Harvey was the Orioles' top prospect after signing for a $1.95 million bonus in 2013 and dominating low Class A Delmarva in his first full season. Elbow injuries that led to Tommy John surgery along with subsequent shoulder issues meant the only healthy season was 2019, when he made his major league debut in the Orioles' bullpen. He missed most of the 2020 season with forearm soreness.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Through his health issues, Harvey has maintained an electric fastball that sits in the upper 90s and reaches 99 mph, though it can be flat at times. While he's always had at least an aboveaverage breaking ball, Harvey added a splitter in 2019 that flashed above-average but wasn't as consistent in 2020. That can be his primary out pitch should he throw it with proper arm speed instead of trying to slow down and get better shape on it. Harvey throws strikes with average control, but he's never shown the ability to stay on the mound for long.
  
  THE FUTURE: Harvey's health remains difficult to rely on. Still, with any luck he can be a top-level setup man in the majors.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Harvey was the Orioles' top prospect after signing for a $1.95 million bonus in 2013 and dominating low Class A Delmarva in his first full season. Elbow injuries that led to Tommy John surgery along with subsequent shoulder issues meant the only healthy season was 2019, when he made his major league debut in the Orioles' bullpen. He missed most of the 2020 season with forearm soreness.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Through his health issues, Harvey has maintained an electric fastball that sits in the upper 90s and reaches 99 mph, though it can be flat at times. While he's always had at least an aboveaverage breaking ball, Harvey added a splitter in 2019 that flashed above-average but wasn't as consistent in 2020. That can be his primary out pitch should he throw it with proper arm speed instead of trying to slow down and get better shape on it. Harvey throws strikes with average control, but he's never shown the ability to stay on the mound for long.
  
  THE FUTURE: Harvey's health remains difficult to rely on. Still, with any luck he can be a top-level setup man in the majors.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Harvey was the Orioles' top prospect after signing for a $1.95 million bonus in 2013 and dominating low Class A Delmarva in his first full season. Elbow injuries that led to Tommy John surgery along with subsequent shoulder issues meant the only healthy season was 2019, when he made his major league debut in the Orioles' bullpen. He missed most of the 2020 season with forearm soreness.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Through his health issues, Harvey has maintained an electric fastball that sits in the upper 90s and reaches 99 mph, though it can be flat at times. While he's always had at least an aboveaverage breaking ball, Harvey added a splitter in 2019 that flashed above-average but wasn't as consistent in 2020. That can be his primary out pitch should he throw it with proper arm speed instead of trying to slow down and get better shape on it. Harvey throws strikes with average control, but he's never shown the ability to stay on the mound for long.
  
  THE FUTURE: Harvey's health remains difficult to rely on. Still, with any luck he can be a top-level setup man in the majors.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When the Orioles drafted Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, and Hunter Harvey in the first round in three consecutive years, the trio was meant to be the foundation of their rotation. Harvey was spectacular in 2014, but he had Tommy John surgery in 2016 after two years of elbow soreness and made just nine starts in 2018 due to a shoulder injury. Fully healthy in 2019, he started in the Double-A rotation before moving to the pen and shooting to Baltimore.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Armed with a fastball that sat 97-99 mph and bumped 100 in his new relief role, Harvey increasingly looks the part of a closer, like his all-star father Bryan. Harvey backs up his four-seamer with an above-average splitter like his father used, and he also has an above-average power curveball at 84-85 mph with good shape. Harvey’s cross-body delivery still gives some observers pause and limits his control to average, at best. He has significantly filled out his frame, but his injury history affects his durability and likelihood of him ever starting. He has yet to show he can work back-to-back days regularly (he only did it once last year).
  
  THE FUTURE: Harvey’s major league cameo made it clear he can be a late-inning reliever and possible closer for the Orioles. He’ll be back in 2021 pitching in late relief as long as his health allows.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: When the Orioles drafted Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, and Hunter Harvey in the first round in three consecutive years, the trio was meant to be the foundation of their rotation. Harvey was spectacular in 2014, but he had Tommy John surgery in 2016 after two years of elbow soreness and made just nine starts in 2018 due to a shoulder injury. Fully healthy in 2019, he started in the Double-A rotation before moving to the pen and shooting to Baltimore.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Armed with a fastball that sat 97-99 mph and bumped 100 in his new relief role, Harvey increasingly looks the part of a closer, like his all-star father Bryan. Harvey backs up his four-seamer with an above-average splitter like his father used, and he also has an above-average power curveball at 84-85 mph with good shape. Harvey's cross-body delivery still gives some observers pause and limits his control to average, at best. He has significantly filled out his frame, but his injury history affects his durability and likelihood of him ever starting. He has yet to show he can work back-to-back days regularly (he only did it once last year).
  
  THE FUTURE: Harvey's major league cameo made it clear he can be a late-inning reliever and possible closer for the Orioles. He'll be back in 2021 pitching in late relief as long as his health allows.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Harvey quickly established himself as one of the Orioles’ most talented pitchers, but in six pro seasons, his career has been totally derailed by injuries. It includes elbow soreness in 2014, a fractured leg in 2015 and groin surgery in 2016 before Tommy John surgery later that summer. He returned in 2017 and after flirting with the majors in spring training, made nine starts for Double-A Bowie before going down with a shoulder injury. Scouting Report: Harvey’s stuff has never been an issue, but it won’t matter if he can’t pitch. Coming from a crossfire delivery that could be problematic for his command at the highest level, his plus fastball sits 92-95 mph and has reached 97 with run and angle, and his two-plane curveball still impresses. His changeup is still a developing pitch, and he added a cutter in 2018, though not in games. There’s some effort in Harvey’s delivery, and while his frame has filled out, it hasn’t shown to be able to handle a workload. The Future: The Orioles constantly point to another injury-beset top pick—Dylan Bundy—in not discounting Harvey’s promise to be a No. 3 starter. If he can’t hold up, he has an electric high-leverage relief arsenal.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Harvey flirted with a major league roster spot in spring training, but the focus this year has been building innings and staying healthy for the first time since 2014. He was doing just that when his arm popped out of its socket when his shirtsleeve got caught on the dugout railing trying to avoid a foul ball. It’s another unfortunate injury, and he now has some challengers, but Harvey remains the best arm in the system.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Harvey dazzled in his first 12 months as a professional before elbow injuries derailed him. Two years of elbow soreness culminated in Tommy John surgery in June 2016, though he also dealt with a shin fracture and a sports hernia in that span. Harvey rehabbed to full strength by the end of 2017, allowing his first earned runs in his eighth and final rehab appearance to finish with a 2.08 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 18 innings. Scouting Report: Harvey's 92-95 mph fastball reaches 97 mph and rates as an above-average pitch with downhill angle that he can command to both sides of the plate with armside run. His curveball slowly came back after the surgery, but showed the sharp, two-plane break that made it a plus pitch pre-injury. He seldom throws his changeup in games, but the pitch has average potential. Harvey matured physically and grew into the wiry frame that initially led to durability concerns. The Future: A healthy Harvey projects as a No. 3 starter, with the potential for high-leverage relief if his changeup doesn't develop or his crossfire delivery prevents him from throwing quality strikes with all three pitches. He'll likely be added to the 40-man roster this fall, but the team's hope is that he can build up his innings in the minor leagues to provide a firm base for his future.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: When the Orioles drafted Harvey 22nd overall in 2013, they probably envisioned him in their rotation by now. The son of former big league closer Bryan Harvey, Hunter showed big-time potential from the outset, but his career has been sidetracked by injuries. In 2014, he went 7-5, 3.18 at low Class A Delmarva as an 18-year-old before being shut down in late July with a strained right flexor mass. A shin injury and later elbow issues derailed his 2015 season. In May 2016 he had sports hernia surgery. Scouting Report: Harvey finally returned to a mound in June 2016, and he managed to make it through just five games before being shut down yet again. He had Tommy John surgery in Charlotte on July 26, with doctors using a tendon from his hamstring to repair his elbow. One scout said a healthy Harvey showed everything you want in a top-of-the-rotation starter--talent, poise and mound presence. Before the injuries, he commanded a fastball that sat between 92-94 mph and touched 97, as well as a plus curveball that overmatched hitters at times. His changeup made solid gains during 2014 and flashed plus. The Future: Harvey likely won't pitch again for 12-18 months after the surgery, though he could resume throwing early in 2017. He probably won't take the mound in games again until 2018. Dylan Bundy's successful return from a similar fallow period gives the Orioles reason for optimism.