Baltimore Orioles: Top Five Team Prospects 2017
By Ben Palmer
3. Hunter Harvey – P
The story of Hunter Harvey is something that’s sounding all too familiar to Orioles fans. A pitcher with all the potential in the world, plagued by injuries (Adam Loewen anyone?).
Luckily, Harvey has time on his side, he’s only 21 years old. While he missed all of 2015 due to two different injuries (a fractured fibula thanks to a comeback shot in spring training, and a flexor mass strain) and missed 2016 after having Tommy John surgery, it’s a little early to call Harvey injury-prone and give up on him.
His stuff is amazing, really. He has a three-pitch mix that can miss bats with ease. His fastball routinely sits around 94-95 mph and he has a curveball that has the potential to become one of the best in the majors. He also has a solid changeup that works as a good third pitch to mix things up.
Because of the injuries and how long rehabbing and development will take, we’re likely not going to see Harvey with the Orioles until probably 2019, though I could see the end 2018 happening if he rehabs really well.
There’s still a boatload of potential in this kid, and like I said, he’s only 21, so there’s reason to be hopeful that Harvey could develop into an ace in the Orioles rotation.