MIAMI -- A sore right wrist will keep Marlins outfield prospect Monte Harrison out of Triple-A New Orleans’ lineup the next few days, but the ailment is not expected to prevent the 23-year-old from competing in the 2019 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
Ranked by MLB Pipeline as Miami’s No. 2 prospect, Harrison tweaked his right wrist while making a diving catch on Wednesday night. He was in the lineup at Oklahoma City on Thursday, but was ultimately removed by Baby Cakes manager Keith Johnson due to some unusual and controversial circumstances.
Because his wrist was bothering him, the right-handed hitting Harrison tried to stay in the game by coming to bat from the left side of the plate in the ninth inning. The problem was, he didn’t inform Johnson of his decision or of his sore wrist, and Harrison hasn’t switch-hit in his professional career. Johnson didn't let Harrison even attempt to swing lefty, promptly pinch-hitting for Harrison.
Upset at Johnson’s decision to replace him, Harrison was visibly frustrated, and slammed his helmet and bat to the ground as he entered the dugout.
The incident was captured during the Baby Cakes' telecast, and later made the rounds on social media. On Friday, Harrison gave an interview with Tim Grubbs, the voice of the Baby Cakes, and it also ran on social media.
Harrison took responsibility for his actions, and apologized to Johnson, the coaching staff and his teammates.
“At the end of the day, I have to take ownership over what I do,” Harrison said to Grubbs. “I’m not a guy who is going to shy away from what happened. I’m going to come forth with it. That situation can’t happen.”
The Marlins also spoke with Harrison, who is ranked 85th on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 list.
In the eyes of all parties, the incident is over, and they’re moving forward.
Harrison has spent time on the Minor League injured list this season with a right wrist injury and a hamstring strain. The sore wrist he is dealing with now isn’t the same ailment that landed him on the IL at the beginning of the season.
Harrison is one of three Marlins prospects named to the National League squad for the Futures Game. He joins Triple-A second baseman Isan Diaz (No. 6 prospect) and top prospect, Double-A Jacksonville right-hander Sixto Sanchez.
For the season, Harrison is hitting .284/.372/.479 with nine home runs, 22 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
Major impact in Minors
Harrison, Diaz and Class A Advanced Jupiter outfield prospect, Jerar Encarnacion, are three projectable big league power-hitter threats in the Marlins’ system. According to Miami’s internal data, they each have above average hard-hit rates.
Before being promoted to Jupiter, Encarnacion played at Class A Clinton in the Midwest League. On balls put in play, 11 percent were 105 mph or higher, which is better than 94 percent of the hitters at that level. And at Jupiter, 29 percent of his contact thus far for the Hammerheads has been 105 mph or greater.
Harrison has 28 percent of his in-play contact higher than 105 mph, which tops Triple-A among players with 100-plus plate appearances.
As for Diaz, he hit a 477-foot home run for New Orleans on Friday. For the left-handed hitting second baseman, 12 percent of the balls he's put in play have been hit 105 mph or harder.