Matt Harvey, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles

Date of Birth: 3/27/1989
Birthplace: New London, Connecticut
College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Nicknames: Real Deal, Dark Knight of Gotham

Matt Harvey, pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2007. He opted instead, however, for college. Three years later, after proving himself as an outstanding pitcher in college baseball, he was drafted by the New York Mets. As a college player, he had a 22-7 record and a 3.73 ERA in 238.2 innings.

Harvey pitched in the Mets' minor league system in 2011 and 2012. He pitched 245.2 innings in 46 games and he had a 20-10 record, a 3.48 ERA, and 268 strikeouts to 95 walks.

Harvey joined the Mets for 10 games in 2012. He pitched 59.1 innings and he had a 3-5 record and a 2.73 ERA. He had a strong 2013 season, finishing with a 9-5 record and a 2.27 ERA in 178.1 innings in 26 games.

In October, 2013, Harvey had Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2014 season while recuperating from the surgery.

Harvey came back strong in 2015, finishing with a 13-8 record, 188 strikeouts to 37 walks, and a 2.71 ERA. His achievements earned him the National League Comeback Player of the Year award. He pitched well in the postseason, earning a 3.04 ERA with 2 wins and no losses. In 26.2 innings in 4 games, he gave up 21 hits, including 2 home runs, and 9 earned runs. He struck out 27 batters and walked 8.

Harvey spent much of the 2016 season on the DL. He finished the season with a career high ERA of 4.86, 4 wins to 10 losses, and 76 strikeouts to 25 walks in 92.2 innings in 17 games.

Harvey was on the DL again in 2017. He finished the season with 5 wins and 7 losses, 67 strikeouts to 47 walks, and a 6.70 ERA in 19 games.

After a poor start in 2018, the Mets traded Harvey to the Cincinnati Reds on May 5th. He finished the season with 7 wins and 9 losses, 131 strikeouts to 37 walks, and a 4.94 ERA in 155.0 innings in 8 games with the Mets and 24 games with the Reds.

Harvey became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Angels on December 21, 2018. He was released on July 21, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on August 17, 2019. He finished the 2019 season with 3 wins and 5 losses, 39 strikeouts to 29 walks, and a 7.09 ERA in 59.2 innings in 12 games.

Harvey became a free agent on November 4, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on July 28, 2020. He pitched 11.2 innings in 7 games and he had an ERA of 11.57.

Harvey elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Orioles on February 17, 2021. He spent time on the IL in 2021 with right knee inflammation. He finished the season with 6 wins and 14 losses, 95 strikeouts to 37 walks, and a 6.27 ERA in 127.2 innings in 28 games.

Harvey became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed a new minor league contract with the Orioles on April 8, 2022. A month later, on May 17th, he received a 60-game suspension for the distribution of a prohibited drug.

Career pitching statistics for Harvey through 2021 include:

• 180 games played
• 966.1 innings pitched
• 50-66 win-loss record
• 867 strikeouts to 274 walks
• 4.42 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Matt Harvey
ESPN - Matt Harvey
Baseball Reference - Matt Harvey