Just watched Rich Harden’s start against the Rockies today on MLB.tv. Nine strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Absolutely filthy. He gave up his first run of the spring, but it was from two wild pitches and a groundout–he wasn’t hit hard at all. Harden was throwing 98 mph fastballs on the corners, followed by 89 mph sliders just off the black or those 86mph backup-floaty-knuckle-splitter thingies–the Rockies had no chance.
For the spring, he now has 18 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings, with just one walk. Yowza, what talent. Oh, man, what a pleasure it would be to see him stay healthy for a full season. I just hope there’s nothing to that voice inside my head that keeps saying, “this is too good to be true.”
Update: Carlos Gomez breaks down Harden’s delivery over at THT.
1. Harden was so filthy that Steve Finley got himself tossed so he wouldn't have to face him again.
It was funny in the first inning that the Rockies color guy was describing Dan Haren for about half the inning before he realized he had prepared for the wrong guy and Harden was pitching.
But, yeah, too good to last.
2. I was at the game (pictures to follow soon) and his stuff was simply amazing.
The term "electric" can be overused, but Harden was absolutely electric today. He might have even been plasmatic, if I can invent a term.
3. Thanks for the link to the Harden evaluation. That was really interesting and I can try to notice the things he mentioned when watching someone pitch.
4. Those pieces by Gomez are awesome. For something really crazy, suggest checking out his article at BBTF breaking down Mulder. Talk about a guy just losing it.
The Lincecum one is sweet too. Good shots of him just leaping off the rubber.
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Cool, thanks for the suggestions.