clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Brendan Harris

Brendan Harris was acquired by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for the ubiquitous PTBNLOC (Player To Be Named Later Or Cash). It has been a trade that helps to cement a reputation of shrewd dealing because Haris quickly displaced the Opening Day SS Ben Zobrist and has continued to hit despite a 110 previous major league ABs that indicated otherwise.

What drew my attention in particular was his SLG. It is higher than the more acclaimed ROY candidate, Delmon Young, has been able to produce (.495 versus .405). (ed: By a lot!) I have a very difficult time believing that is sustainable, but their peripherals also favor Harris as he walked 18 times and struck out 39 times versus 13 and 57, respectively, for Young.

A look at Brendan Harris' minor league totals indicate this season was possible. He broke on to the prospect scene following a 2002 season in which he had 61 extra base hits. Tha was followed by a 2003 one in which 46 XBHs. In the following year, his HRs went up to 17, but he was now 24-year-old. He hit 13 in 2005 in the notoriously HR-unfriendly confines of New Orleans. A combined 10 in 2006 as a 26-year-old took the final luster off his star.

While Baseball America dropped Haris from its prospect guide, John Sickels did include him in his. he wrote:

...He can do a lot of things well: hit line drives, knock doubles, show adequate plate discipline, hit the occasional home run, play decent defense at second base and third base....but someone has to give him a chance.
Year Team Age Level AB R H XBH HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG CR BABIP
2001 Lansing 21 A 113 25 31 10 4 22 5 17 26 0.274 0.37 0.442 77.00% 0.325
2002 Daytona 22 A+ 425 82 140 54 13 54 16 43 57 0.329 0.395 0.532 86.60% 0.358
2002 W. Tenn 22 AA 53 8 17 7 2 11 1 2 5 0.321 0.345 0.547 90.60% 0.326
2003 W. Tenn 23 AA 435 56 122 46 5 52 6 51 72 0.28 0.364 0.425 83.40% 0.327
2004 Iowa 24 AAA 254 48 79 33 11 35 0 16 40 0.311 0.353 0.531 84.30% 0.335
2004 Edmonton 24 AAA 123 20 35 12 6 24 0 10 21 0.285 0.345 0.48 82.90% 0.302
2005 NewOrleans 25 AAA 470 67 127 39 13 81 9 40 77 0.27 0.329 0.417 83.60% 0.300
2006 Louisville 26 AAA 148 22 48 20 5 28 2 14 29 0.324 0.384 0.534 80.40% 0.377
2006 NewOrleans 26 AAA 219 37 62 19 5 32 3 26 56 0.283 0.379 0.416 74.40% 0.361
2007 Tampa Bay 27 MLB 220 34 70 2 8 32 2 18 39 0.318 0.372 0.495 82.30% 0.358