Sunday, February 5, 2012

Down on the Farm: #41 Stephen Harrold

#41 Stephen Harrold, RHP. 6'1", 200 lbs. BD: 3/12/1989.

Low A: 4-3, 1.54, 41 IP, 17 BB, 39 K, GO/AO= 1.73, 16 Saves.

High A: 1-0, 5.48, 23 IP, 13 BB, 24 K, GO/AO= 1.00.

AFL: 3-0, 1.76, 15.1 IP, 5 BB, 15 K, GO/AO= 2.50, 1 Save.

Harrold was drafted out of UNC Wilmington in the 12'th round in 2010. He was almost immediately installed as the closer for Salem-Keizer and recorded 7 Saves in 18 appearances. He started out 2011 as the closer in Augusta and put up nice looking numbers. He struggled a bit after a callup to San Jose but sparkled in a a small sample size in the AFL, a pretty strong hitter's league. I don't have a scouting report on Harrold. Will he be the closer in San Jose or will he move up to Richmond on the strength of his AFL showing?

2 comments:

  1. I was kind of surprised to see the Giants push him to AFL given his SJ stats, but clearly they liked what they saw and didn't let the surface stats scare them away from what they saw on the field, and that paid off in how he did in the AFL.

    Given the admission by Sabean that they are negotiating with Wilson on an extension because there are no viable closers close to the majors, I would think that the Giants might push Harrold to AA to see how he does.

    However, given all the hand wringing about pushing prospects too fast in 2011, that would suggest they would put Harrold in San Jose.

    I think how well he did in AFL will lean them towards putting him in AA, because having viable replacements for relievers sooner than later will enable Sabean to trade more expensive relievers for prospects or to fill a hole somewhere. Plus, he is exhibiting great skill in both striking out guys and inducing groundballs, which is a great trait, and makes his walk rate a lesser evil to consider.

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  2. Non-roster invitees are pretty much either veterans getting their last shot, or youngsters that the Giants thinks highly of. Harrold being invited says alot about the Giants view of him.

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