The Los Angeles Angels signed Monte Harrison on April 4, 2022, to a Minor League contract after he was released by the Miami Marlins a week prior. The former top-100 prospect in 2020 has lost a considerable amount of glimmer from where he was in years past as a raw, talented player, but his services were needed amid an injury-riddled year for the Angels.
Harrison was drafted out of high school in the 2nd round of the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He progressed from Rookie ball all the way through their Triple-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Following his signing, he was assigned to the Salt Lake Bees, joining fellow former-Marlin Magneuris Sierra. Harrison posted a .673 on-base plus slugging prior to his call-up on June 24, joining the team during a home series against the Seattle Mariners.
Harrison made his Angels debut on June 25, coming in as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. He notched his first two hits with the club on July 10 against the Baltimore Orioles after he launched a two-run homer in the top of the third. He would later tally another RBI with a single in the seventh inning.
He was designated for assignment on July 13 and outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake to rejoin the Bees. Harrison remained with the team for the remained of the season, but he elected free agency at the conclusion of the year.
Monte Harrison 2022 highlight
Harrison had perhaps the game of his professional career on July 28 while playing with the Bees. He began his career performance in the second inning, launching a solo shot to right field, then a triple in the fourth. He would go on to hit for the cycle, followed by a ninth-inning double as the cherry on top of his 5-for-5 night, which included five RBI.
2023 outlook
Harrison remains unsigned early on in 2023, but given his status as a former top prospect and his continued upside in the form of flashy tools, he’s likely to receive an opportunity this upcoming season. His incredibly high strikeout rate for a player with the number of years he has in pro ball is still concerning, and may ultimately limit his upside at the Major League level.
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