RJ Harrison

Proud husband, father & grandfather. Baseball lifer. (Devil) Ray from the beginning....

[Justin Orenduff @JustinOrenduff]

We now have more than a decade of evidence showing how pitch metrics, data-driven technology, and modern training methods have transformed baseball.

These advancements have taught us a great deal. We can measure velocity, spin, movement, workload, and physical performance with a level of detail previous generations could never have imagined.

But because something can be measured does not mean it should become the measure of everything.

The danger did not begin when baseball acquired better information. It began when information ceased to serve the game and the game began to serve the information.

For more than a century, a successful pitcher was judged by the whole of his work: command, adaptability, durability, competitiveness, workload, and the ability to consistently get outs. In little more than a decade, that definition has changed.

Velocity, spin, movement, and swing-and-miss have become the primary currencies of opportunity. Pitchability, command, durability, and the ability to navigate a lineup have too often become secondary.

These traits are not bad. The error lies in mistaking the part for the whole. When the pitch becomes more important than the pitcher, we should not be surprised when the pitcher breaks.

Across every level of baseball, arm injuries have risen as pitchers chase the measurable traits most closely tied to scholarships, contracts, draft status, and the next opportunity as Major League Baseball continues to lose millions of dollars and thousands of player-days to pitchers who can no longer withstand the demands of a full season.

Meanwhile, the private development industry responds to what colleges, scouts, organizations, and social media reward. Families follow the opportunities placed in front of them. Young pitchers follow the system.

No single person needs to intend the final result. The trainer prepares the player for what scouts want. The scout identifies what organizations value. The organization acquires what the modern game demands.

Each decision may seem reasonable on its own, while the combined result becomes deeply unreasonable.

Data and technology are not the enemy. But they must remain tools. Data should inform wisdom, not replace it. Technology should sharpen judgment, not narrow it. Training should develop the complete pitcher, not merely improve the measurable characteristics of a pitch.

We should not abandon innovation. We should demand a better version of it—one that develops performance without sacrificing durability, values pitchability alongside measurable traits, and prepares pitchers not only to earn an opportunity, but to survive and succeed once they receive it.

The tools must serve the pitcher.

The pitcher must not be sacrificed to the tools.

Cheers to a balance, but we need more voices to speak up and help the next generation of pitchers. Don't be negative, cruel, or argumentative; just help progress the game and maintain the value of pitching success.

[RJ Harrison @OldSunDevilRay]

@OleTimeHardball Gibby

[Not Gaetti @notgaetti]

There aren't words anyone can say to temper the feelings of sadness and loss we're all feeling right now, but I suspect that if there's one thing Rickey would want us to keep in mind right now, it's that Rickey was the greatest of all time.

Some of my favorite Rickey stats 👇🧵

[Chris Karpman @ChrisKarpman]

Clemson beat two teams with a record above .500: Pitt (7-5) and SMU today.

Other wins:

App State
NC State
Stanford
Florida State
Wake Forest
Virginia
Virginia Tech
The Citadel

Losses: Georgia, Louisville, South Carolina

Not a better resume than ASU.

[RJ Harrison @OldSunDevilRay]

It was an honor for Jane & me to be included in all the Induction Weekend festivities! Really a once in a lifetime opportunity! Thanks to the Rays for including us & congrats to Fred (and Scott Rolen) on their induction into the HOF!

[Marc Topkin @TBTimes_Rays]

#Rays contingent in Cooperstown for McGriff induction to ⁦@baseballhall⁩ includes (from left) RJ Harrison, Tom Foley, Matt Silverman, Erik Neander (and some family members).

[RJ Harrison @OldSunDevilRay]

@mleebarlow We are in West Ahwatukee. Welcome back!

[RJ Harrison @OldSunDevilRay]

It has been a fun ride! Happy Holiday’s to all my teammates, old & new, that have been a part of the journey….

[BaseballHistoryNut @nut_history]

Ron Howard talks about being so successful at a young age and it involves Sandy Koufax. This is worth watching until the end

[RJ Harrison @OldSunDevilRay]

@sabr @Orioles @whitesox @Angels @Dbacks @MLBazFallLeague One of the most caring and influential people I have met in all my years in the game. For all of us that will benefit from the minor league/non uniformed personnel pension plan we have Roland to thank! Uncanny ability to remember everyone’s name. Truly a legend! RIP, Roland

[SABR @sabr]

RIP Roland Hemond, 92, longtime #SABR member, scout, GM for @Orioles and @WhiteSox who also helped build the expansion @Angels and @Dbacks from scratch, founder of @MLBazFallLeague, and friend and mentor to countless people in baseball: https://t.co/ChKva3rXOm

[Nicholas Enriquez @Coach_Enriquez]

“My grandfather told me you have to be a good hitter first and then you’ll eventually find your power when you are older.”

- Mike Yastrzemski -

[RJ Harrison @OldSunDevilRay]

Today Paul Kirsch lost the battle to ALS, one which he fought with dignity and his wonderful sense of humor. I had the good fortune to call PK my teammate & friend for the last 26 years! Competitive, passionate & fun loving! A scouting & Northwest Baseball legend! RIP PK❤️

[Kyle Bandujo @kylebandujo]

New episode of 'From Phenom to the Farm' today with @JoshSale7 of @gohoneyhunters

Josh talks finding sobriety and stability in his life, and his comeback after 6+ years away from pro baseball.

He's a guy I'll be rooting for.

via @BaseballAmerica
https://t.co/yn18UW0joa

[The Lincoln Project @ProjectLincoln]

Ignore the misinformation. Get vaccinated.

[Downdetector @downdetector]

User reports indicate Southwest Airlines is having problems since 9:37 PM EDT. https://t.co/UFeMMcntfE RT if you're also having problems #SouthwestAirlinesdown

[RJ Harrison @OldSunDevilRay]

Chuck was a legendary fixture in our baseball community! I can’t remember a time as a player, coach or scout that Chuck was not a presence in the local baseball community. A friend to all of us! You will be missed! RIP, Chuck....

[Derrick Goold @dgoold]

He pitched to Stan Musial, signed Tom Pagnozzi, scouted Albert Pujols, 'sat' on Rick Ankiel, and before the pandemic traveled to see Masyn Winn.

Part of #stlcards fabric, Mike Roberts is the thread that ties eras.

As scouting changes, his legacy won't.

https://t.co/MVlWyvj8fr

[RJ Harrison @OldSunDevilRay]

@roccodbaldelli So did I👊

[Brady Soho @HPJoker]

Mike Brousseau isn’t in the bigs if he comes up under MLB’s proposed realignment of the minor leagues.

[Tampa Bay Rays @RaysBaseball]

From undrafted, to this