K.J. Harrison
| AB | 1484 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .248 |
| OBP | .328 |
| SLG | .426 |
| HR | 54 |
- Full name Kainoa John Harrison
- Born 08/11/1996 in Kailua, HI
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 208 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Oregon State
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Drafted in the 3rd round (84th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 (signed for $667,000).
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A prep catcher in Hawaii, Harrison was an unsigend 25th-round pick out of high school who immediately starred at Oregon State as a freshman. He hit 10 homers and ranked among the top 30 in the country in RBIs, but he slumped as a sophomore both in the spring and in the summer as he became too pull-conscious. As a junior, he'd helped power Oregon State to 10 straight weeks at No. 1, adopting more of an all-fields approach that had led to more contact and a higher average but less power. After hitting 10 homers in each of his first two seasons, Harrison had five through mid-May as a junior. Scouts see good bat-to-ball skills, an improved plate approach and solid-average power from Harrison, who shifted to first base for his first two seasons in deference to 2016 second-round pick Logan Ice. As a junior, Harrison has remained at first base primarily but has played in four games behind the plate after catching a couple of times last summer in the Cape Cod League. Several area scouts have him turned in as a catcher, while others see a fringe-average runner who could move to left field, or possibly even right field thanks to his solid-average arm. A team that projects him as a catcher could take him in the second round, and his polished college bat could push him that high anyway.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Harrison saw little time behind the plate during his junior year at Oregon State, mostly playing at first base and DH. That didn't stop the Brewers from announcing that they planned to play him primarily at catcher after they drafted him in the third round in 2017 and signed him for $667.000. Few doubt Harrison's offensive ability. He opened eyes in the Rookie-level Pioneer League with easy power to all fields and a .546 slugging percentage. He showed good pull-side power but also took what pitchers gave him without over-swinging, the sign of an intelligent hitter. That approach should allow him to hit for average. Harrison needs considerable work behind the plate. He has a solid-average arm but a slow release affects his pop times on throws to second base. Nevertheless, he threw out 26 percent of basestealers in his pro debut. Harrison shows soft yet strong hands behind the plate, but he needs to clean up his mechanics, including his footwork. He has below-average speed but is smart on the bases and gets good jumps. Being able to stay behind the plate would enhance Harrison's offensive profile but could also slow down his progress in the system. A position switch in the future, perhaps to first base, is in the cards.
Draft Prospects
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A prep catcher in Hawaii, Harrison was an unsigend 25th-round pick out of high school who immediately starred at Oregon State as a freshman. He hit 10 homers and ranked among the top 30 in the country in RBIs, but he slumped as a sophomore both in the spring and in the summer as he became too pull-conscious. As a junior, he'd helped power Oregon State to 10 straight weeks at No. 1, adopting more of an all-fields approach that had led to more contact and a higher average but less power. After hitting 10 homers in each of his first two seasons, Harrison had five through mid-May as a junior. Scouts see good bat-to-ball skills, an improved plate approach and solid-average power from Harrison, who shifted to first base for his first two seasons in deference to 2016 second-round pick Logan Ice. As a junior, Harrison has remained at first base primarily but has played in four games behind the plate after catching a couple of times last summer in the Cape Cod League. Several area scouts have him turned in as a catcher, while others see a fringe-average runner who could move to left field, or possibly even right field thanks to his solid-average arm. A team that projects him as a catcher could take him in the second round, and his polished college bat could push him that high anyway. -
Harrison, the top position player in the state, could become just the second Hawaiian prep catcher drafted in the top 10 rounds since Dane Sardinha became the highest-drafted Hawaiian prep position player ever in 1997, going to the Reds in the second round. Harrison comes from baseball bloodlines, as his father Kenny was an all-American in college and played in the minor leagues before coaching at Kenny's school. His best tool is his strong, accurate arm, and he receives and frames well with soft hands. His arm and receiving could enable him to become an above-average defender behind the plate. The 6-foot, 193-pounder has a strong build and has shown plus raw power in batting practice this spring. He has a loose, quick swing and has hit well against inferior competition, though he struggled to make consistent contact on the showcase circuit. A pull hitter, Harrison does more damage on the inner half of the plate with natural loft in his swing. He's a well below-average runner. An Oregon State commit, he has a gamer mentality to go with instincts for the game. He is young for the class and will be 18 near the end of the minor league season.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Harrison spent more time at first base and DH at Oregon State, but the Brewers intend to develop him as a catcher. He still needs plenty of work behind the plate, where he needs to clean up his mechanics and improve his agility, but he has soft hands and an above-average arm. A slow release keeps Harison from posting impressive pop times on throws to second base, but he threw out 26 percent of basestealers with Helena and should get better with experience. No one doubts Harrison will hit. He has good pull-side power but also takes what pitchers give him and doesn't over-swing. He can hit gap to gap and drive home runs to center and right field. The ball jumps off his bat, and he projects to be an average hitter with average power. He's a below-average runner.
