Minnesota Twins Rookie Pitcher, Adam Harben, was born on August 8, 1983 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a 2001 graduate of Central Arkansas Christian High School where he was named to the All-State team. He was selected in the 15th round of the 2002 draft and is currently in the minor leagues.In 2003, Adam began the season in extended spring training. He was promoted to the Quad City team and received multiple pitcher of the week and pitcher of the month awards. He placed 3rd in wins and earned a 5-6 record with a 4.33 ERA, combining an excellent fast ball with a power curveball.
He continued to do well in 2004, as he stayed at
the Low-A level, learning to work a change-up in
between his fast ball. He still needs to refine
his off-speed pitches and a slider he's been working
on. He is striving to find solid consistency from
game to game. He tends to lean a little too much
on his fastball and has some control issues.
John Sickels and Baseball America regard him highly
as a prospect and he's generally considered one
of the best 10 pitchers in the Twins system after
an impressive 2004 season with the Swing (3.09 ERA
and 10.8 K/9).
Adam worked as a waiter between seasons. He says,
"Waiting tables wasn't great, but it gave me
a few extra bucks, and it made me realize that I've
got a pretty good job [with the Twins] and that
I need to do what I can to make the most of it."
He went on saying, "I feel like I'm making
progress and taking some steps forward, and that's
what I'm here to do." "I want to find
ways for us to win games and get into the playoffs.
We're capable of that."
Drafted more for raw power than for talent, the
6'5 right hander is mechanically sound, but he will
need to improve his mix of pitches and speeds to
get to the next level.
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