Top Giants prospect Kyle Harrison continues to shine for River Cats

May 11, 2023, 8:46 PM | Updated: 8:47 pm

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Pitcher Kyle Harrison #86 of the San Francisco Giants poses for ...

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

On the same night that recent call-up Casey Schmitt mashed his second big-league home run, number-one San Francisco Giants prospect Kyle Harrison continued to mow down AAA hitters.

Harrison tied his AAA career-high with eight punch-outs during the Sacramento River Cats’ matchup against the Salt Lake City Bees on Thursday night at Sutter Health Park.

The 21-year-old posted his fourth-straight game with seven or more strikeouts while allowing two runs on two hits and walking three batters over 3.2 innings pitched.

Kyle Harrison is DEALING.

San Francisco’s top prospect has struck out 6 batters over 3 shutout innings 🔥

River Cats hold a 1-0 lead over Salt Lake City heading into the bottom of the third. #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/5DWaWETuJT

— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) May 12, 2023

Harrison was cruising early as the southpaw struck out the site in the first inning, but eventually ran into trouble during the top of the fourth when it looked like the De La Salle High School product could potentially pitch into the fifth.

The Bees strung together a rally after Harrison drilled Michael Stefanic and allowed a double to Jordyn Adams. Although Harrison came within a strike away from getting out of the jam, Salt Lake City catcher Zack Humphries’ triple in the right-center gap allowed two runs to score and tie the game at 2-2.

Humphries’ triple marked the end of the road for Harrison, who had good stuff for three innings but came one mistake pitch away from a four-inning shutout performance.

Aside from the two-run triple, Harrison put his filthy slider and intimidating fastball on display against the Bees, striking out Kevin Padlo below on a heater up in the zone.

Kyle Harrison strikes out the side in the first inning! #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/jTOnHUZ0U0

— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) May 12, 2023

Harrison, San Francisco’s top-ranked prospect, is on the fast track to the Major Leagues after posting a 4-3 record and 2.71 ERA while striking out 186 batters over 113 innings pitched at the AA and High-A levels in 2022.

The lefty entered play on Thursday night having struck out 34 batters over just 19 innings at the AAA level this season, and the matchup against Salt Lake City only added to Harrison’s impressive start to his River Cats career.

San Francisco called up outfielder Bryce Johnson from Sacramento on Thursday morning as Austin Slater was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring strain. Could the River Cats’ next call-up to the show send Harrison into a Giants rotation that has struggled as of late?

While San Francisco will be adding Alex Wood back into its rotation come Friday, there is a strong sense that the top prospect’s call-up could come at some point this season.

Harrison is doing everything in his power to make his big league dream a reality sooner than later, and Thursday night’s game was his latest addition to an impressive resume.

Lucky number 🎱

For the second time this season, No. 1 @SFGiants prospect Kyle Harrison (MLB No. 15) enjoys an eight-K start for the @RiverCats: pic.twitter.com/tyUkX9kJPN

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 12, 2023