Baltimore Orioles: Why Hunter Harvey May Be The Orioles Closer Of The Future

The Baltimore Orioles patience with Hunter Harvey is appearing to have paid off as the former first-round pick is dominating out of the bullpen in the first month of his major league carer.

It took a much longer time than expected for 2013 Baltimore Orioles first-round draft pick Hunter Harvey to reach the majors.

Harvey went from starting his minor league carer in dominating fashion and appearing in the 2014 MLB Futures game to potential bust when he had to undergo Tommy John surgery and then struggled post-recovery at Double-A.

Now 24 years old and finally in the majors Harvey is off to an excellent start just not in the role the Orioles expected him to be in. Harvey was drafted as a starting pitcher and came up through the minors that way. However, he has only been used as a reliever since being called up on August 17th, and has excelled more than anyone could’ve expected.

In four innings of work, Harvey has a perfect 0.00 ERA, has allowed just two hits and has struck out seven batters. On Tuesday night against the Washington Nationals Harvey entered the game in the eighth inning and worked into trouble after he gave up a one-out triple and then loaded the bases with two out after back to back walks. This did not phase the rookie as he threw a 98 miles per hour fastball past Asdrubal Cabrera to work out of a bases-loaded jam.

It may be a small sample size, but Harvey has already proved he can work in and out of trouble and was even able to do it in a rivalry game where the was a bigger buzz in the stadium than an average game.

With a power fastball close to 100 miles per hour and wipeout slider that can reach near 90 miles per hour, Harvey may just have the tools of a be closer rather than a starting pitcher.