San Francisco Giants call up top prospect Kyle Harrison

Aug 21, 2023, 10:41 AM

Kyle Harrison #86 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch during the sixth inning of a spring tr...

(Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

This is not a drill: Kyle Harrison is set to make his first MLB start.

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler confirmed on Sunday that the left-handed starting pitcher has been called up from AAA Sacramento and will make his Major League debut on Tuesday night in Philadelphia.

Harrison, a 22-year-old Bay Area native that attended De La Salle High School, is finally set to make his first big league start after working his way back from a hamstring injury.

After making four starts and being stretched out to around four innings at AAA, Harrison’s next start will take place in Philadelphia in a game that could have postseason implications.

Kap couldn't be more excited for Kyle Harrison to make his debut 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Y4c1TIWXLo

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 20, 2023

The Giants (65-59) enter play on Monday sitting two games behind the Phillies in the race for the top National League Wild Card spot.

Harrison’s first start isn’t expected to be one that will push the former third-round pick into later innings, but it will be interesting to see how the southpaw’s high-strikeout-rate-style pitching will translate against a Philadelphia lineup that rosters imposing hitters like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, and Kyle Schwarber.

Over his past four starts, Harrison has struck out 17 batters over 11.1 innings while posting a 3.18 ERA and holding opponents to a .191 batting average.

Now, it’s time to see if San Francisco’s highest-rated pitching prospect since Madison Bumgarner can become a mainstay in this ever-changing Giants rotation.

About San Francisco Giants prospect Kyle Harrison

Age: 21

Throws: L

Born: San Jose, CA

High School: De La Salle | Concord, CA

Draft: 2020, 3rd round, 85th overall selection

Harrison, San Francisco’s top prospect and the 20th-ranked prospect in all of Major League Baseball, posted 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.

Over 18 starts with AAA Sacramento in 2023, Harrison holds a 4.52 ERA to go along with 109 strikeouts (sixth-most in the Pacific Coast League) over just 67.2 innings pitched.

The @SFGiants are reportedly calling up their top prospect, Kyle Harrison!

The lefty is the 20th-ranked prospect in the game according to @MLBPipeline 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AjrQZ2MshI

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 20, 2023