2025(A- Yankees): .304/.422/.551, 3 HR, 4 SB, 14.5 BB%, 26.5 K%, 83 PA.
2025(A+- Yankees): .326/.395/.489, 3 HR, 2 SB, 10.5 BB%, 23.0 K%, 152 PA.
2025(A+- Giants): .333/.454/.644, 7 HR, 14.8 BB%, 20.4 K%, 108 PA.
2025(AFL): .383/.513/.683, 3 HR, SB, 18.4 BB%, 26.3 K%, 76 PA.
Harber was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Yankees in 2024. He went undrafted despite hitting 54 home runs in 206 college games. He's raked everywhere he's played. The rap on him is defensive limitation due to slow foot speed and lack or arm strength which may limit him to 1B at higher levels. He did play some innings in RF in the minors and AFL last year. Perhaps he could be playable in LF? He should move up to AA in 2026 which is always a challenge for hitters. I will be following his batting lines with interest.
SF Fan in Michigan here.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to throw my hat in for Parks Harber. Statistically he was SO consistent, and by all of the most important metrics. I understand also that the Giants got back batted-ball and swing velocities from the AFL that confirmed Harber's raw power is rarified. 8 straight games in the AFL with an XBH, which broke theAFL record going back to 2012.. really high exit velocities, the secondary data looks great.
But more importantly, I've been so impressed with how consistent Parks has been.
Each month of his season: he hit above .304, had an OBP above .424 except for May (.364 OBP), stellar walk rates.
On the season:
Runners in scoring position: .987 OPS
Bases Empty: .901 OPS
vs Left: 1.048 OPS
vs Right: .942 OPS
And then he got BETTER in the AFL.. :'o
I think if you can hit like that, there's a spot on the team for you. Excited about his progression this year and starting in AA. I hope he can stick at a position this year, whether 1B or LF.
I would consider skipping. AA and sending him straight to Sacramento with an extra cup of patience while he adjusted. It’s not that I think he’s ready for AAA, so much as I don’t like what AA does to our hitters training arc. /PH
ReplyDeleteI have the opposite theory that the PCL is such an extreme hitter's league that hitters get a false sense of confidence there and fall into bad habits. But I agree that too many position prospects hit a wall in the AA Eastern League for whatever reason. Either the hitters just aren't good enough and AA is where they find out or the umps there have strike zones 6 inches outside both sides of the plate or the wind blows in at 30 MPH in every ballpark. It's like the EL is too hard and the PCL is too easy. Can we please find teams in neutral leagues to affiliate with?
DeleteIt was worse when our A+ team was in San Jose and a more hitter friendly league. Now the A+ environment seems to be closer to AA.
DeleteIf he can play a passable LF that would be ideal, otherwise he probably won’t have a place on the MLB team. Could be trade material if he shows he can hit big league pitching
ReplyDeleteWe saw Harber in the Fall League in Arizona, and his bat sure looked MLB ready. But he would be a real liability in the OF. I would be inclined to sell high and get some good prospects in positions with stronger needs.
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