Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings For the week of :
June 3, 2002

Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

Harvey just hoping to stay healthy in 2002
June 9, 2002

"I need to play every day," answered Kansas City Royals first base prospect Ken Harvey when asked what he needs to do to get back to the major leagues.

Ken Harvey waiting for his turn
in the batting cage

Harvey's main goal for the 2002 season is quite simple. He knows he needs to stay healthy and keep himself in the lineup. His four-game stint in Kansas City late last year ended prematurely due to one of several injuries that have plagued the former University of Nebraska slugger throughout his professional career. The surgery to his foot also cost Harvey necessary development time by keeping him out of the Arizona Fall League.

There has never been any question about Harvey's ability to hit the baseball. He's one of the purest hitters in the minor leagues. The 6-2, 240 pound bear of a man has posted superb numbers at every level, averaging a combined .359 over three seasons. He also led Division I college hitters in 1999 with an astounding .478 average.

Everyone knows he can hit. Harvey must instead prove to the Royals organization that he can stay injury-free. So far so good this year.

"This year I'm playing every day," said Harvey in a recent interview after a game with the Royals' AAA Omaha affiliate. "I'm showing them that I'm a reliable source to play every day."

Ken Harvey during infield drills

After the first two and a half months of the season, the right-handed hitter has played in nearly every game for Omaha. While his batting average is down, registering at only .258, Harvey is hitting for more power, a part of his game that has been an area of concern in the past.

Harvey has never worried about his lack of homeruns as a professional (27 in his three seasons). "There are a lot of guys who hit homeruns in the minor leagues," Harvey commented, "but once they get to the big leagues their swing is too long and they strike out a lot. I've proven that I can put the good part of the bat on the ball a lot of the time." He continued, "The homeruns will come. I'm a big guy with power."

The improvement this year is obvious, as Harvey has put up 16 doubles and eight homeruns among his 56 hits to date. He believes the increase in power will continue, confidently stating, "I'm young ... I'm 24 and I'm learning."

Ken Harvey

The other part of his game Harvey needs to improve is his defense. While he's considered an adequate first baseman, Harvey acknowledged that there still is room for improvement. He stated that one of his other goals for 2002 is " ... to improve my defense at first base."

Harvey's brief time in Kansas City whetted his appetite for a major league career. He remarked, "It was a good time. I'm really anxious to get back there."

But he also knows that, as a late bloomer, it was not yet his time. "Basically, I learned that I wasn't ready to be there," Harvey said. "(I learned) what you need to work on to get back there. I need to work hard."

Ken Harvey will keep working hard and hopefully staying healthy until an opportunity on the big league team comes along. Whether it's as a designated hitter or a first baseman, Harvey believes he'll be ready this time.

--- Bill Mitchell