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Baltimore Orioles Top Pitching Prospect Hunter Harvey Impresses in Debut

By Christopher Church

SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Baltimore Orioles players look on while wearing Stoneman Douglas High School baseball caps to honor the 17 people killed earlier this month during a mass shooting prior to a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Baltimore Orioles players look on while wearing Stoneman Douglas High School baseball caps to honor the 17 people killed earlier this month during a mass shooting prior to a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Top pitching prospect Hunter Harvey makes his long-awaited Baltimore Orioles debut after battling his way back from multiple injuries.

After a long journey, elite pitching prospect Hunter Harvey made his Baltimore Orioles spring training debut in a Grapefruit League matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Harvey hurled two innings with three strikeouts and allowed three hits and an earned run in his first career start at the Rays’ Charlotte Sports Park.

His debut started off rocky by giving up back-to-back singles to Rays veterans Denard Span and Kevin Kiermaier. However, the 23-year-old escaped an early jam by forcing Christian Arroyo into a double play, then struck out the next batter to complete his first career spring training inning.

In the second inning, Harvey allowed another single before he froze Joey Wendle for his second strikeout. Finally, after allowing a walk and forcing a fielder’s choice, Harvey struck out Jake Croneworth to complete two-inning his first career Orioles start.

With the help of 28-year-old Garabez Rosa‘s home run and an RBI single by Ruben Tejada, the Orioles secured their first spring training victory.

According to MASNsports.com Roch Kubatko, Harvey’s fastball maxed out at 95 mph and produced all three strikeouts. Also in the article, the right-handed pitcher voiced his views on receiving more starts for the Orioles this year:

"I love starting. Been able to get in my own routine like I always have. I’ve pitched out of the bullpen a couple times in spring training. It’s different. I can handle it, but it’s different. But I love starting. It’s just a different mentality."

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Harvey has battled back from several injuries throughout the start of his professional baseball career after the Orioles selected him No. 22 pick in the 2013 MLB draft.

Now, five years later, Harvey finally will his chance to shine throughout Orioles spring training and above all, earn a spot in the starting rotation.

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