Prep Baseball Report

NC Commitment Spotlight: Jesse Harkey



By Brandon Hall
North Carolina Director of Scouting

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and instagram

As the summer continues to push forward, good players are taking visits and continuing to make their college decisions.  Jesse Harkey, a potential dual position player as a catcher and right handed pitcher, made his decision to stay near home and play for the Charlotte 49ers in Conference USA. 

An athletic player with a strong arm, Harkey plays for Parkwood HS and in the Caroilna Vipers organization.  PBR has had the chance to follow Harkey in the past year as he began his decision process. 



Jesse Harkey

Class of 2019 / C

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2019
  • Primary Position: C
    Secondary Position: RHP
  • High School: Parkwood
    State: NC
  • Summer Team: Carolina Vipers
  • Height: 6-0
    Weight: 180lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
86
Max FB
84 - 86
FB
69 - 70
CB
77 - 79
CH
Position
7.26
60-yard
2.00 - 2.20
Pop Time
79
C Velo
91
Exit Velo

Scouting Report

02.28.17
1st outing of the year on the bump for the righty.  Fought to find his rhythm and release in the first inning, falling behind hitters with inconsistent velocity.  Fastball peaked at 86, ranging 84-86 as he settled into the outing.  Showed an ability to compete through adversity, without his best stuff.  Curveball ranged 69-70.

01.14.17

A legitimate two-way prospect, Harkey shows advanced catch and throw skills behind the dish.  Receiving with an athletic base, slightly turned toward the glove side, his hand works with ease through the zone, really handling the low ball well.  Pop times ranged 2.00-2.03 with an exit velocity of 78 from the crouch.  Clean exchanges, work with a short, strong arm action to a high-3/4 slot, from a vertical stance.  Works through most throws but will cut off extension at times.  Offensively, the right-handed hitter works from a balanced, athletic stance.  Short stride with a smooth, ‘C’ load back leads to a quick bat through the zone.  Strength plays ahead of quickness at this time.  Level approach, works to get extension, showing aggression at the point of contact.  Repeats his swing and finds the barrel consistently.  Exit velocity measured at 91mph.  A good athlete, Harkey showed some leadership ability in handling bullpens and his workout with his teammates.  Ran a 30 yard dash in 4.09.  On the bump, the arm swing is longer, working away from the body at times, seeming to have some stiffness, into a high-3/4 slot.  Lands slightly closed, working with level shoulders.  Fastball touched 83 with the breaking ball showing late 10/4 action, ranging 68-69.  Change-up has arm side run and deception sitting 72-73.

11.06.16 

Athletic with a quick twitch arm that produces carry on the baseball.  Fastball touched 86, sitting 83-86.  Works from a high-3/4 slot with a long, loose arm swing that loads the scap and produces extension with hand speed, creating a heavy fastball that jumped.  Decent rhythm and level throughout the delivery, landing on line with athleticism.  Change-up presented as the second pitch, ranging 77-79 and pounding the strike zone.  Deception over movement at this time.  The curveball tends to be a little early, as the righty can be thin through the pitch.  Still working with good hand speed, the pitch touched 70 and is around the zone.  Listed at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, there is still growth to come in the athletic frame. From behind the plate, more of the same… Athletic with a strong arm creating carry and accuracy on his throws.  5-foot-11, 170 pound frame, that can add strength.  Average length to the arm stroke leads to pop times ranging 2.03-2.21 and an arm speed topping at 79mph.  Loose and quick with his feet and clean exchanges on the day.  Right handed hitter works from a slight crouch with an athletic base.  Vertical bat, with a ‘C’ load in the hands, and a leg kick, creates some whip with the bat.  Lacks barrel awareness and can be long at times.  When the pieces are in rhythm, there is power potential.  Posted an exit velocity of 91mph.  Strong, quick, and athletic.  Ran his sixty in 7.26.


Videos

(1/14/17)

Pitching (1/14/17)