Meet the Marlins Prospect: Kris Harvey

Kris Harvey - Outfielder - 6′2 - 195lbs - 24 years old - Bats: Right - Throws: Right

Kris Harvey	AB	XBH	HR	SB	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
Jupiter	420	31	12	6	34	100	.238	.301	.376

Taken in the 2nd round of the 2005 draft out of Clemson, it made sense for the Marlins to be the one to draft Kris Harvey. After all, his father Bryan was a former all star and the first closer in Marlins history. In his final season at Clemson University, Kris hit .339/.386/.678 with 24 homeruns in 245 at bats. He finished 2nd in the country in homeruns. Those numbers landed him on the 2nd team All American squad.

After signing for $575,000 Kris went to short-season Jamestown and hit .300/.320/479 with 9 homeruns in 263 at bats. Although he had an alarming 9:60 walk to strikeout ratio, the Marlins still saw lots of promise in the young third baseman. Kris really took a step back after his solid professional debut in 2005. The problem in 2006 seemed to be pitch selection, as some of the better arms in the SALLY kept him off balance most of the season as he failed to get into even a mini groove at the plate. Kris does not have very good strike zone judgment and that continued to cause problems for him all season in Greensboro. He loves punishing off speed hangers, but scouts believe he should lay off them more to improve his plate discipline. After splitting time between 3b and the OF in Jamestown, he was used primarily as an outfielder in Greensboro.

His final line in the SALLY was .245/.291/.428 in just 367 at bats. He missed nearly half the 2006 season due to a strained oblique muscle. Kris’ bat speed is no problem as he can turn on any fastball. He has easy power and has the ability to handle high breaking balls as well. Right now though, breaking balls are giving him fits. Harvey has a solid glove and takes good routes on balls in the gap. He has above average speed to go with his great athleticism. He has a very strong arm as well. Although lanky right now at 6′2, 195lbs frame, he could stand to add on 10-15 pounds of muscle to eventually generate more power.

This season in the pitcher friendly Florida State League, Kris had even more problems than in Greensboro. In 420 at bats, Kris hit just .238/.301/.376. He had only 31 extra base hits, to just 34 walks compared to 100 strikeouts. There is a silver lining on his overall abysmal season with Jupiter. After hitting .201/.256/.261 with 2 homeruns in 184 pre-All Star Break at bats, something soon clicked after. In 236 at bats after the break, Harvey hit .267/.355/.466 with 10 homeruns and 21 walks. he still struck out 50 times, but his rate went down from the first half.

His numbers after the break are what get him some prospect leeway. He hasn’t shown anything resembling a top prospect’s numbers over the past few seasons but hopefully those final 240 at bats of the 2007 season are a sign of things to come. Kris will more than likely be in Carolina this year, and the Southern League has been a bit more gentle on hitters so I expect him to continue off the last few months of 2007. The strikeouts are always going to be there, but the Marlins are hoping the power finally comes with them.

Update: .157/.271/.196 in 51 at bats, 2 doubles, 0 homeruns, 7bb 17k