PBR California State Pitcher of the Year: Kyle Harrison
June 18, 2019
The 2019 spring high school season in California had numerous players complete tremendous individual seasons within the context of great team success. There is never a lack of worthy pitchers in the state who earn legitimate consideration for this prestigious honor. Given his outstanding personal performance, especially in the biggest games, but also his presence as the leader of the pitching staff on one of the nation's top teams (this year and last), we feel as though we have identified the right pitcher.
In a season that saw De La Salle go 29-1, winning 28 consecutive games (started season 1-1), and finishing off the season with a convincing 10-1 win in the CIF-North Coast Section final for the school’s 4th consecutive title, right in the middle of it all was Harrison. He was a mainstay on the 2018 championship team and he took that experience into his junior year and built on it.
Harrison went 10-0 for the season. He earned the win in the quarterfinal game and also in the championship game. His season stats are sparkling: 61 IP, 13 GS, 1.26 ERA, 26 H, 15 R (11 ER), 103 K, 27 BB. Opposing hitters hit just .123 vs him, with reach base at a paltry .239 clip.
The junior left-hander was part of two shared no-hitters, vs league rivals Amador Valley HS and California HS, removed for the last inning of each game. In the quarterfinal NCS game vs Monte Vista HS, Harrison threw a CG, striking out 10 and doing so in a gutty 114 pitches. He started the 7th inning over 100 pitches but was still throwing 90-91 in the last inning and had the look of a racehorse sniffing the finish line. After giving up a home run to the very first batter of the game, he finished giving up only that solo run in a 2-1 win. At one point facing bases loaded and none out, he struck out three in a row. It was no easy task in that championship game as he was opposed by 2019 RHP Josh White (Cal).
He wasn’t just a standout pitcher for De La Salle as Harrison also played a very capable 1st base and hit in the middle of the Spartan line-up, often hitting fourth. His offensive contributions were; .286 (104 PA), 13 R, 20 H, 6 2B, HR. Harrison is a tremendous pitcher but also a very good baseball player. Watching the passion with which he competes (we saw him pitch/play at least five times in the 2019 season) it’s easy to see how much passion he has for the game and how it affects his teammates.
CIF-NCS (D1) QUARTERFINALS
CIF-NCS (D1) CHAMPIONSHIP
Harrison’s season on the mound, leading our #2 ranked Power 25 team to the greatest season in De La Salle’s history, has earned him the 2019 Prep Baseball Report California Pitcher of the Year honors.
He has been selected by the staff of Prep Baseball Report of California. The team of PBR area scouts who covered the high school baseball season throughout the spring have selected Harrison among a strong and deep group of very worthy players from all over the state. The PBR staff has been vigorously scouting and covering high school baseball games across the state in an effort to bring parents, players, scouts, coaches, and fans the most comprehensive coverage of prep baseball across the United States. The dedication and coverage provides Prep Baseball Report the credibility to identify the top players each year to represent the state of California.
CALIFORNIA PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Name: Kyle Harrison
High School: De La Salle High School (2020)
Position: LHP
Size: 6’2” 205lbs.
Commitment: UCLA
Stats: 10-0, 61 IP, 13 GS, 1.26 ERA, 26 H, 15 R (11 ER), 103 K, 27 BB. Postseason: 2-0, 12.1 IP, CG, 9 H, 5 BB, 20 K, 2 R, wins in quarter-final and championship games. Hit .286 (104 PA), 13 R, 20 H, 6 2B, HR
Honors: East Bay Athletic League MVP; Cal Hi Sports NCS Pitcher of the Year; Prep2Prep NCS Player of the Year; All-Bay Area News Group Co-Player of the Year; ABCA Region 8 All-Region Team
