Born: 12/15/1988
Birthplace: Hilton Head, SC
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 180
Bats: R - Throws: R
Mack:
Today, we're talking with one of my home boys, third baseman Brian Harrison, who comes out of Hilton Head High School, my daughter's alma mater. Hey Brian... shouldn't we be doing this interview at Wild Wings?
Harrison:
Ha ha… that would be perfect. I'm not sure all of your readers are familiar with Wild Wings, but imagine eating the most delicious, mouth-watering wings while surrounded by a dozen TVs that play only sports all the time. I have lots of fun memories there growing up.
Mack:
Yeah, and it was me and disc jockey "Just Phil" that hosted all those live bands for I95 Radio... anyway, tell me about that magical day you were drafted in the 13th round by the Mets.
Harrison:
I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I was figuring I would go at some point on Day 2 of the draft. So, I spent the day hanging around the pool at my house, swimming and relaxing with my parents and girlfriend. We had the draft coverage set up on the computer and my phone nearby waiting for a call. My advisor called me a few rounds before I ended up getting selected saying the Mets had expressed interest. From that point on we were eagerly listening every time the Mets pick came up and then finally heard my name called in the 13th round. It was such an exciting moment and we all exchanged hugs and high fives. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to play professional baseball and to be able to spend that day with those closest to me was really special.
Mack:
You came out of Furman University, which, for those of you that aren't familiar with, is located in South Carolina. So Brian... who did you play harder against, the Gamecocks or the Clemson Tigers?
Harrison:
Coming from a smaller school, it was always fun to play against the big teams in front of the big crowds, so I always had the adrenaline pumping against both. But I grew up rooting against Clemson, so for whatever reason I hit very well against them. My sophomore year I hit a game-tying homerun in the 9th in a 4-2 extra innings win over Clemson which was one of my favorite memories at Furman. On the other hand, my brother is now a sophomore pitcher at South Carolina. If we had ever faced off I can tell you would have seen a new level of intensity and focus but I never got that opportunity. We had both been looking forward to the possibility for a couple years
Mack:
Brian, you were first drafted out of high school by the Pittsburgh Pirates, which was quite a big deal around here. You chose to go to Furman instead and went through a series of injuries that first looked like you were going to have to hang up the cleats a little early. Was that frustrating?
Harrison:
Being drafted out of high school was a nice honor, but I was committed to my education and was excited to spend the next three or four years at Furman. I had never really had any injuries in high school, but they seemed to follow me throughout my college years. It was really frustrating at times, especially this last year. I was coming into my junior season healthy and with high expectations and then suffered a small tear in my knee the second week of the season. It was easy to feel sorry for myself and question why, but it was a good opportunity to take on a leadership role of a little different nature and have a positive attitude in that situation. It was hard though. I came back and had a strong last month of the season and fortunately the draft worked out the way it did.
Mack:
Yes, it did and it's our gain.
So, you sign with the Mets and, all of a sudden, you're playing for the GCL Mets on the back fields, and you get a call to go to the number one city in the world. What was that like?
Harrison:
It was incredible. There is such a great baseball tradition in Brooklyn and the fans really love that team. We played in front of good crowds every night and won a lot of ballgames so it was a lot of fun. It was a great place to start my professional career.
Mack:
I bet there's a part of you that wish you were back there for the playoffs. Any chance?
Harrison:
Yeah, anytime you are with a team and a group of guys that long you want to be there with them to try to win a championship, but that's the way minor league baseball is. People move up and down all the time and rosters change. I am happy though to have landed in Savannah where I will still be able to experience the playoff atmosphere.
Mack
Brian, I know from experience that the last thing anyone can do at this stage of your professional career and try and figure out exactly what your ETA would be and what your chances are of playing third base at Citi Field. Let's assume you come back to Savannah at the start of the 2011 season. I'm sure your family would be thrilled but would you like a shot at a full season in front of a home grown crowd?
Harrison:
I loved playing so close to home for the last couple weeks this season, and receiving all the support from my family, friends, and the community really meant a lot to me. It would be great to come back and start the season here next year, but regardless of where I start the season, I would like to play well and continue to get moved up. Like you said, it is hard to know when the organization will move you, so I am going to control what I can control and play hard and have a positive mind set every day. The rest will take care of itself.
Mack:
Thanks Brian... have a good off-season and thanks for time.
Old Brian stuff...
6-9-10 from: - http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/06/09/1266994/former-hhh-star-harrison-picked.html - Brian Harrison had to overcome his share of obstacles to continue his baseball career. Two years ago, his college debut at Furman University was delayed by a wrist injury he suffered in the preseason. His freshman year was later cut short when he re-injured the same wrist. Two weeks into this year at Furman -- his junior season -- he partially tore the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his right knee, a fairly rare injury that sidelined him for two months. And now he may be facing his toughest challenge yet -- trading in his dream of Yankee pinstripes for a rival New York Mets cap. The Mets drafted Harrison in the 13th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday afternoon, making the former Hilton Head High player the 392nd overall pick. "I don't care what color you make me wear. I'm just thrilled right now," said Harrison, a lifelong Yankees fan. "I've got all kinds of different emotions going -- excitement, nerves. But overall, I'm just really excited." Harrison said he hasn't yet decided if he will sign a contract or return for his senior season at Furman, but added that he plans to make that decision in the next few days. Three years ago, Harrison was drafted out of high school in the 29th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates after an impressive career with the Seahawks that included an MVP selection in the prestigious South Carolina vs. North Carolina Select Game. But he chose to attend Furman and attempt to increase his draft stock rather than pursue his MLB dream as an 18-year-old
5-25 from: - http://baseballdraftreport.com/2010/05/25/2010-mlb-draft-top-30-college-third-base-prospects-30-21 - Top 30 College Third Base Prospects - 21. Furman JR 3B Brian Harrison - Harrison is a good, good player. Case in point, Harrison has a good arm, is a good defender, and has a good hit tool, with good power potential. He’s a really good athlete, perhaps too good to be “wasted” at third if there’s really a team out there willing to try him in centerfield as rumored. I wish he would have gotten more at bats on the Cape this past summer, but, as too often the case with Harrison, injuries limited his playing time. Get him healthy, get him a regular defensive home, and get a good, good player with starter upside past round ten. Good bargain. The relatively low ranking is more about the players ahead of him than the above-average (or, in other words, “good”) overall talent package that Harrison brings to the table.
From: - http://www.furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/harrison_brian00.html - Furman: Talented, versatile performer who will be counted on heavily for run production this spring...possesses the squad's best power and solid speed...projected to bat third...could again anchor the infield from third base, but a preseason injury to Rob Fondu may position him for duty in centerfield...also sports starting experience at first base. 2009 -- Fashioned a solid sophomore campaign, starting in 52 games, including 42 at third base and 10 at first base...batted .303 with a team leading 12 home runs and 43 RBI...also recorded team highs in doubles (10) and triples (5), and slugged a team high .582 and recorded a squad best .399 on base percentage...triples tally ranked third in the SoCon...belted a two-out, two-run ninth inning home run off Clemson's Ryan Hinson to tie the game at 2-2 in an eventual 4-2, 14 inning Furman victory over the 19th-ranked Tigers...went 4-for-5 with a home run, triple and three RBI in 14-7 win over Ball State...banged out a three-run, eighth-inning home run in a 10-9 triumph over College of Charleston...homered twice against both Wofford (7-6 loss) and Georgia Southern (12-7),the later of which came in a 3-for-5 outing against the Eagles that proved critical in the Paladins' drive to nail down a SoCon Tournament berth...cracked a game tying solo home run in the bottom of the 14th inning in an eventual 11-10 victory over Western Carolina...delivered a 2-for-3 performance, swiped a pair of bases, and scored the game winning run in a 3-2, 11-inning decision over UNC Greensboro to clinch the SoCon Tournament bid...fashioned dramatic defensive improvement, fielding at a .963 clip and committing only eight errors...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll...played in six games with the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Code League before undergoing season ending shoulder surgery. 2008 -- Missed virtually the entire preseason with a wrist injury...served primarily as a late game defensive substitute in the early going before earning his first collegiate start in a 9-1 loss at Gardner-Webb in early March...re-injured his wrist diving for a ground ball in the G-W contest and missed the next month...returned to action and into the starting lineup on Apr. 9 vs. Charlotte (16-6 loss)...ended up seeing action in 33 games and registering 29 starts, all at third base...batted .270 with two home runs and 16 RBI...went 3-for-4 and scored a pair of runs in a 9-5 victory over College of Charleston that completed a three-game series sweep of the Cougars...delivered a 2-for-4, two-RBI, two-run outing in a 17-1 win over Wofford and went 2-for-5 with a triple and three RBI in 9-5 series finale sweep at Western Carolina...collected three hits (3x4) vs. Clemson (11-5 loss) at Fluor Field...went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in 6-5 series, clinching victory over Georgia Southern...belted a towering solo home run to center field in the bottom of the eighth inning to stake Furman to a 7-6 lead over College of Charleston in SoCon Tournament action, but Paladins failed to hold the advantage in an eventual 12-11 season ending loss... played a key role in Furman posting a school record 33 wins (33-24) and third place (17-10) SoCon regular season finish...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll...starred with the Alexandria Beetles in the Northwoods Summer League in 2008...batted .254 with four home runs and 30 RBI...gained the most attention on the mound, where he went 2-2 with a 1.44 ERA and three saves...allowed only 15 hits in 31 1/3 innings of work.
High School: 2007 graduate of Hilton Head (3A) High School...coach was Chris Wells...hit .450 with 6 HR and 45 RBI...set school hits record (46)...team went 27-9 and recorded 2007 state runner-up finish...posted a 6-1 record with a 2.81 ERA...named Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet Player-of-the-Year, all-region, and all-state...tabbed state MVP in 2007 S.C./N.C. All-Star Game...Wendy's H.S. Heisman state finalist...picked by Pittsburgh Pirates in 29th Round of the 2007 MLB Draft...played summer ball with the Charleston Diamond Devils...Salutatorian.
7-26-10: - I always get excited when one of my “local boys” gets drafted by the Mets. Harrison comes out of Hilton Head, South Carolina and had one hell of a night Sunday, hitting two home runs, went 3-5 overall, and knocked in four runs. His seasonal totals are equally impressive. He hit .296 in 27-AB for the GCL Mets, and, so far this season, for the Clones, he has 14-RBIs in 55-AB, and hitting .309/.361/.636/.997.
In 2010, Harrison hit a combined (Savannah-Brooklyn-GCL) .284/.346/.538/.884 in 169-AB, with 8-HR and 25-RBIs.
2011 Forecast: Harrison came to the Sand Gnats only because prospect Jefry Marte was on the DL. That being said, he may have set Marte back a few pegs. Right now, the system is full of good third basemen, which include Zach Lutz and Aderlin Rodriquez. Lutz will play Buffalo A-Rod hops to Lucy, leaving Harrison and Marte to fight it out for Savannah. My money is on Brian.
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