Who is new LA Angels pitcher Matt Harvey?

When the LA Angels signed right-handed starting pitcher Matt Harvey last month, the novice Angels fan might have said, “Who the heck is that?” Here’s a little more on a player the Angels hope will be big in 2019?

LA Angels new addition Matt Harvey is a pitcher that could be a potential ace if he can avoid injuries this season. This must sound like a broken record for most Angel fans as most of their starting rotation was sidelined at one time or another last season with some type of injury. Harvey is no different.

Matt Harvey was a first round draft pick in 2010. He was taken seventh overall by the New York Mets and was heralded as the second-coming of Dwight Gooden, or David Cone. Harvey made his MLB debut in 2012 and immediately looked like he could be the ace of any staff.  He went 3-5 in 10 starts that season and posted a sparkling ERA of 2.73 with a 1.15 WHIP.  In addition he struck out 70 batters in only 59.1 innings and he held opposing batters to as .200 batting average.

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Harvey put together two more solid seasons for the Mets going 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA in 2013.  Harvey then tore his UCL in his right elbow and spent all of 2014 on the disabled list the whole season and the first part of 2015.  He recovered to post an impressive 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA in 2014.  His WHIP in those two seasons was 0.93 and 1.02.

However, 2016 did not turn out so good for Harvey as he Struggled early and then went on the disabled list just before the All-Star Break with thoracic outlet syndrome which a nerve condition that causes pain and weakness in the area affected which was Harvey’s right arm.  Harvey had slipped in 2016 to 4-10 with a 4.86 ERA striking out only 76 batters in 92.2 innings of work and opponents hit .302 against him.

2017 was more of the same for Harvey as he could not get back on track going 5-7 with a 6.70 ERA and a .295 opponents batting average.  In early 2018 after another poor start in 2018 Harvey was designated for assignment and then traded to Cincinnati.

The change of scenery did Harvey some good as he pitched much better going 5-7 with a 4.94 record.   So now we wil see if Harvey can live up to the hype and anchor the Angels pitching staff in 2019.  Harvey hopes to be ready to go at the start of the season.  We will have to wait and see.