B.H.L. - Matt Harrison

Big, hard throwing, and a lefty. This is a basic criteria that teams like to see in a pitcher. Clearly, not everyone who meet this criteria works out, but it's a nice place to start. With this in mind, let's answer a couple of questions about Texas pitcher, Matt Harrison.

First, is he big? Yes. AT 6'4" and 240, that would qualify him in my book as big.

Second, is he hard throwing? This spring he has reached 97 on the gun. So again, yes.

Third, is he a lefty? Being that he throws the ball with his left hand, the answer is yes.

Fourth, will he be worth anything to my fantasy team? This is the difficult question. Last year he wasn't so hot (I'm being nice). He started 11 games, had a 6.11 ERA, and 34 Ks in 63 innings. Nothing of interest here. However, he was only 23 years old. So why look at him now? Well, this spring he has been fantastic. So far this spring, Harrison has pitched 9 innings, given up 2 runs, and has 10 Ks to only 1 walk. Very nice. Being that he is only 24, maybe he's turned the corner. After all, he does meet the initial criteria we talked about. So to answer the fourth question, yes, he will be worth something to your fantasy team (or at least he can be worth something).

Last, where should I draft him? Here is the beauty part. You ask people who Matt Harrison is and you will get blank stares. No one knows him (not that he has given anyone much reason to know him), so he should be available late in your draft. With a nice fastball, and some good strikeout number (not to mention pitching for a strong offensive team), he could be a nice sleeper. The one problem with Harrison is that if he pitches poorly, then Tommy Hunter will take his spot as soon as Hunter returns from his injury. Harrison will probably have to pitch well to keep his place in the rotation. With all that said though, we are still looking at a low risk/high reward type player.

-Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)

Texas P: Matt Harrison

Even with the recent injury to Josh Hamilton, Texas can still mash. Must be nice to be a pitcher with that offense to back you up. It's even nicer if you are a good pitcher. Texas hasn't had too many of those, but this year things are coming together nicely on the mound. Of their pitchers, 23 year old lefty Matt Harrison should be getting some looks. He is 4-2, with a 4.23 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 24 Ks. Those numbers are pedestrian at best, except he had two rough starts to begin the season (5 runs and 4 runs), but has been extremely good since then. In his last 3 starts he has given up a total of 2 earned runs and has struck out 15 (all wins). A good young pitcher on a team that can score runs is worth a long look in all but the shallowest of formats. -Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)