There is nothing like home cooking for Kyle Harrison.
Since returning to his native California this season, MLB's No. 15 overall prospect has elevated his game to another level. Harrison was named Minor League Player of the Week in the Pacific Coast League after twirling a pair of gems for Triple-A Sacramento. The left-hander yielded a single hit across both scoreless starts, fanning 14 while walking four over 7 1/3 frames and posting a 0.65 WHIP.
"I think it’s been my attitude, first and foremost," Harrison told MLB Tonight's Harold Reynolds. "I think I’ve just been trying to attack guys as much as I can. You know, try to get them out as quick as possible. That’s been the biggest thing for me. Limiting the walks are a big thing for me, so really trying to go after guys and attack them and mix up the sequencing. That’s something that I’m learning to do and it’s getting better over time."
The 21-year-old finished his second pro season last year making 18 starts for Double-A Richmond. Harrison posted a 3.11 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 127 strikeouts and 39 walks over 84 innings pitched for the Flying Squirrels. In 11 outings so far this year with the River Cats, the top Giants prospect sports a 3.67 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 61 punchouts and 31 walks over 34 1/3 frames while showcasing a deeper dive on his 60-grade slider.
"When I first got to Richmond last year, you know I’m a little California kid from California, west coast. So I’m used to a dry baseball and it felt like I was throwing a sponge sometimes out there in Richmond," Harrison told Reynolds. "So that could play a role into it, but also initially in the PCL with the altitude we deal with, pitches don’t break how they’re supposed to. So, really just trying to stick to your game plan and really just trying to expand on hitters."
Taken in the third round by San Francisco out of De La Salle High School in the Bay Area in the 2020 Draft, Harrison's debut in pro ball was delayed because of the Covid-canceled season. However, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder made a loud introduction the following year, earning Low-A West pitcher of the year honors after leading the league in ERA (3.19) and strikeouts per nine innings (14.3) in 2021.
"You know, me and my family, we had no idea how that Draft was going to go," Harrison said. "So, me being a little scrawny kid in high school, I wanted to make sure I was built up for pro ball, you know, going in there I remember my first day in instructs I was definitely the smaller kid on the block so I was like, why not pound the weights? See if I can get my view up a little. See if I can compete with these guys. So I did that and it got me here to where I’m at today and I’m still looking to get better."
Across two levels of the Giants' system last season, Harrison topped the Minors in whiffs per nine (14.8) and whiff percentage (39.8) while reaching Double-A at age 20 and was named the Minor League Player of the Week in the Eastern League during Week 18.
And he's only continued to improve each time out this season. Did we mention he's really happy to be home?
"I’m filling out tickets every week for my family and friends coming into town, so it’s great to have people there for me that have supported me my whole life," he told Reynolds. "I wouldn’t be here without them."