Mitch Harris

Mitchell Andrew Harris (born November 7, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015. A native of Florida who grew up in North Carolina, Harris attended the United States Naval Academy. After serving as a Lieutenant in the Navy, Harris became the first Naval Academy graduate to appear in the major leagues since 1921, and just the second ever to do so.

Early life Mitch Harris was born in Ocala, Florida, the son of Cy and Cindy Harris, and grew up in Mount Holly, North Carolina. He attended South Point High School in Belmont, North Carolina, where he played trombone and lettered in baseball and was all-conference and all-state in 2003 and 2004.

At first, very few scouts watched Harris pitch in high school. Having weighed at one point, he was much less imposing than his weight of on his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut. However, the more he pitched, the more he drew notice. After attracting more scouts over time, they eventually rated him as one of the top collegiate pitching prospects.

College baseball career (2005–08)

Harris attended college at the United States Naval Academy, majoring in general engineering, and playing college baseball as a pitcher and infielder for the Midshipmen. Having ended up at the Academy by chance, a Navy football recruiter named Buddy Green watched him pitch a bullpen session in high school. Green found out that Harris was not interested in football, but was open to attending the Naval Academy, so he made phone calls on his behalf.

However, when incoming coach Paul Kostacopoulos watched Harris throw during a practice session after his freshman season, he asked him to pitch in the bullpen, where he reached . Impressed with the tryout, Kostacopoulos expanded Harris' role to pitching. Harris' college pitching career totals included a record of 20–13 with a 2.51 ERA and 291 strikeouts over innings. At the plate, he batted .295 with 105 runs scored, 16 home runs and 112 RBI.

In 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Bourne Braves. When he graduated, he was one of the highest-rated pitching prospects for the amateur draft, with a fastball that could reach and a cutter with the ability to break bats.

U.S. Naval service (2008–13) Following graduation in 2008 from the Naval Academy, Harris served in the United States Navy for four years, eight months and eight days, attaining the rank of Lieutenant (LT). He was based in Norfolk, Virginia, and deployed a total of three times. One was to the Persian Gulf on the USS Ponce, a amphibious transport dock, where he served as a weapons officer.

Professional baseball career (2013–2017) The Atlanta Braves selected Harris in the 24th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign. He was then drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 2008 MLB draft. He signed with the Cardinals but was unable to play until 2013 due to his commitment to the Navy. He twice petitioned for early release from active duty Navy to the reserves to commence his professional baseball career, in the manner of NBA legend David Robinson. However, the Navy denied Harris' request both times, citing the contemporaneous war in Afghanistan as the reason. After his absence from competition, Harris' fastball velocity had dipped to the low 80s miles per hour. However, the velocity eventually returned to the level of his college playing time. He played for State College exclusively in 2013, appearing in 20 games and going 4–1 with a 0.81 ERA and 29 SO in IP. Harris made his final regular season appearance with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. He became the first Naval Academy alumnus in Major League Baseball since Nemo Gaines in 1921, and just the second ever. Harris made his big-league pitching debut at Miller Park in Milwaukee against the Brewers on Saturday, April 25, in relief of starter Adam Wainwright, who had injured himself as he ran to first base on a pop out while batting. Harris entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, and struck out the first batter he faced, Adam Lind. Harris pitched innings, allowing no runs in the Cardinals' 5–3 win.

On May 5, Harris recorded his first MLB win after pitching a scoreless sixth inning in the Cardinals' 7–4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Through his first seven appearances and innings pitched, he did not allow a run, until May 10 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On June 19, after appearing in 16 games with a 1–1 record and a 3.63 ERA, the Cardinals optioned him back to Memphis. Harris appeared in five more games and IP at Memphis, allowing three runs on seven hits, before a July 4 recall to the major league club. One week later, the Cardinals placed him on the 15-day DL with a groin strain. He appeared in 26 games, all in relief, finished with a 2–1 record, 3.67 ERA and 13 walks while striking out 15 in 27 innings. After the season, he received the Tony Conigliaro Award, accorded to a player who "has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of Tony C.," per former Boston Red Sox historian Dick Bresciani.

An arm soreness delaying Harris' spring training preparation, the Cardinals placed him on the disabled list prior to the start of the 2016 season due to nerve compression syndrome. He underwent surgery in June and missed the remainder of the season. Harris sought second and third opinions and instead of the expected "Tommy John surgery", he had “primary repair,” or “UCL repair with internal brace construction,” which may have a shorter recovery time and hoped to pitch in 2017. He was released on May 9, 2017.