PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

A's Select Rich Harden from Sacramento

Published on July 17, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland A's today selected right handed pitcher Rich Harden from Triple-A Sacramento.

Harden began the year at Double-A Midland and went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two starts, retiring all 39 batters that he faced. He was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento on April 10 and was 9-4 with a 3.15 ERA in 16 games, 14 starts, with the River Cats when he was promoted to Oakland. Harden retired the first eight batters he faced at Triple-A, giving him a streak of 57 consecutive batters retired dating back to last year. He was a combined 11-4 with a 2.74 ERA at both stops and allowed a .201 opponents batting average while striking out 108 in 101.2 innings. Harden was tied for second in the Pacific Coast League in wins (9) and ranked seventh in ERA (3.15) at the time of his promotion to Oakland. He has a career record of 25-14 with a 2.98 ERA in 64 career minor league appearances, 58 starts. Harden struck out 395 in 329.0 innings, an average of 10.8 per nine innings.

Harden is scheduled to make his major league debut with a start on Monday in Kansas City, becoming the 30th pitcher in Oakland history to start in his major league debut. The 21-year old Harden will become the youngest pitcher to start an A's game since Steve Karsay in 1993. Harden was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and started for the World team in the Futures Game this past Sunday in Chicago, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out the side in his one inning pitched. He becomes becomes the sixth Canadian to play for the Oakland A's, joining Mike Kilkenny (1972), Dave McKay (1980-82) Vince Horsman (1992-94), Matt Stairs (1996-2000) and Cody McKay (2002).

Check out the Sacramento River Cats Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 17, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central