Aaron Harang
Encyclopedia
Aaron Michael Harang is a Major League Baseball
right-handed starting pitcher
.
then went on to San Diego State University
. He was first drafted by the Boston Red Sox
in the 22nd round of the 1996 amateur draft, but did not sign with the team.
in 6th round of the 1999 draft
and signed with them. In 2000, he was traded with minor leaguer
Randy Cullen to the Oakland Athletics
for Randy Velarde
. He played sparingly with the Athletics, appearing in 23 games in 2002 and 2003, mostly as a starter
.
and minor leaguer Jeff Bruksch for José Guillén
.
In , he went 10-9 with a 4.83 ERA
for the Reds.
In , Harang led the team in wins
(11), quality start
s (19), innings pitched
(211⅔), and strikeout
s (163), all of which were career highs. He became the first Reds pitcher with 200 innings in a season since right-hander Elmer Dessens
led the staff with 205 innings pitched in . On April 12, 2005, against the St. Louis Cardinals, Harang took to the mound with the first "I" missing in Cincinnati on his jersey. He received votes for NL
Pitcher of the Month in May after going 3-1 with 1.93 ERA over five starts.
In the season, Harang pitched on Opening Day for the Reds on April 3 against the Chicago Cubs
and allowed 9 runs
(6 earned) over 5 innings
. In his third start of the season, 11 days after Opening Day, Harang pitched 7 shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals
, who were starting 2005 Cy Young award
winner Chris Carpenter
. Harang would give up 4 hits
, get 4 strikeouts, and also had the only RBI
of the game as the Reds won 1-0. Harang also pitched a complete game
shutout
against the Milwaukee Brewers
on April 23, allowing five hits as the Reds won 11-0.
In the 2006 season, Harang led the National League
in complete games with six and strikeouts with 216, surpassing Jake Peavy
's strikeout total of 215 in his final regular season game.
Harang was also the most consistent pitcher on the 2006 Reds staff. Harang has had great success for the Cincinnati Reds while flying under the radar for the last two years. He hides the ball well during his motion, has a "creeping" fastball
, a slider
that breaks out of the zone, and at least two other pitches (a curve
and a changeup
) that he regularly throws for strikes
.
Harang was only the ninth pitcher since 1960 to lead the National League in both wins and strikeouts (it has occurred 12 times in baseball history). However, he did not receive any votes for the National League Cy Young Award
(Brandon Webb
won the award in 2006). All previous pitchers that led the National League in both categories have won the award.
On February 6, 2007, Harang signed a four-year, $36.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds
.
On July 23, 2007, Harang threw ten innings for the Reds (throwing 121 pitches), becoming the first Reds pitcher to do so since . However, he received a no-decision because the Reds did not win the game until the 12th inning.
On September 3, 2007, he became the 3000th strikeout
recorded by the New York Mets
' Pedro Martínez
.
In 2008, he led the major in home runs given up at home, with 19.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-basesituation-pitching.shtml
In the second inning of a game at Wrigley Field
in Chicago
against the Cubs
on July 24, 2009, Harang hit his first career home run
, a three-run shot to left field off of pitcher Randy Wells
.
He missed the end of the 2009 MLB season after undergoing emergency appendectomy. He ended the year with a 4.21 ERA
, 1.41 WHIP
and 6-14 record.
On September 10, 2010, it was announced that Harang would be sent to the bullpen to relief pitch, due to the size of the starting rotation. Harang had been on the DL for two months due to back spasms. In a ceremonial "goodbye", he started the final game of the season against the Brewers, but exited after three innings with a blister on his finger.
Harang was left off the Reds 2010 playoff roster. On November 3, 2010, the Reds bought Harang out of his 2011 contract option, making him a free agent.
. The deal includes a mutual option for 2012.
On July 9, 2011, Harang had a no-hitter
through six innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers
, but was pulled after walking 3 and throwing 95 pitches.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
.
Amateur career
Harang graduated from Patrick Henry High SchoolPatrick Henry High School (San Diego, California)
Patrick Henry High School is a public high school in San Diego, California. It is part of the San Diego Unified School District. It is attended by students in grades 9-12 residing in Del Cerro, San Carlos, Allied Gardens, Mission Valley and the College Area....
then went on to San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
. He was first drafted by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in the 22nd round of the 1996 amateur draft, but did not sign with the team.
Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics
After college, he was drafted by the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in 6th round of the 1999 draft
1999 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1999...
and signed with them. In 2000, he was traded with minor leaguer
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
Randy Cullen to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Randy Velarde
Randy Velarde
Randy Lee Velarde is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the New York Yankees, California/Anaheim Angels, Oakland Athletics, and Texas Rangers from to...
. He played sparingly with the Athletics, appearing in 23 games in 2002 and 2003, mostly as a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
.
Cincinnati Reds
During the 2003 season, he was traded to the Reds along with Joe ValentineJoe Valentine
Joseph John Valentine is a Major League Baseball pitcher, currently pitching for the Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz of the Mexican League. He is a 1997 graduate of Deer Park High School in Deer Park, New York, where he led the Falcons to the State championship title game. He married his high school...
and minor leaguer Jeff Bruksch for José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
.
In , he went 10-9 with a 4.83 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
for the Reds.
In , Harang led the team in wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
(11), quality start
Quality start
In baseball, a quality start is a statistic for a starting pitcher defined as a game in which the pitcher completes at least six innings and permits no more than three earned runs....
s (19), innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
(211⅔), and strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (163), all of which were career highs. He became the first Reds pitcher with 200 innings in a season since right-hander Elmer Dessens
Elmer Dessens
Elmer Dessens Jusaino [deh-SENZ] is a Mexican professional baseball player who is currently a free agent.-Personal life:...
led the staff with 205 innings pitched in . On April 12, 2005, against the St. Louis Cardinals, Harang took to the mound with the first "I" missing in Cincinnati on his jersey. He received votes for NL
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Pitcher of the Month in May after going 3-1 with 1.93 ERA over five starts.
In the season, Harang pitched on Opening Day for the Reds on April 3 against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and allowed 9 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(6 earned) over 5 innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
. In his third start of the season, 11 days after Opening Day, Harang pitched 7 shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, who were starting 2005 Cy Young award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
winner Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
. Harang would give up 4 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, get 4 strikeouts, and also had the only RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
of the game as the Reds won 1-0. Harang also pitched a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on April 23, allowing five hits as the Reds won 11-0.
In the 2006 season, Harang led the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in complete games with six and strikeouts with 216, surpassing Jake Peavy
Jake Peavy
Jacob Edward Peavy is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed...
's strikeout total of 215 in his final regular season game.
Harang was also the most consistent pitcher on the 2006 Reds staff. Harang has had great success for the Cincinnati Reds while flying under the radar for the last two years. He hides the ball well during his motion, has a "creeping" fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, a slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
that breaks out of the zone, and at least two other pitches (a curve
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
and a changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
) that he regularly throws for strikes
Strike zone
In baseball, the strike zone is a conceptual right pentagonal prism over home plate which defines the boundaries through which a pitch must pass in order to count as a strike when the batter does not swing.-Definition:...
.
Harang was only the ninth pitcher since 1960 to lead the National League in both wins and strikeouts (it has occurred 12 times in baseball history). However, he did not receive any votes for the National League Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
(Brandon Webb
Brandon Webb
Brandon Tyler Webb is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner.-High school:Webb attended Paul G...
won the award in 2006). All previous pitchers that led the National League in both categories have won the award.
On February 6, 2007, Harang signed a four-year, $36.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
On July 23, 2007, Harang threw ten innings for the Reds (throwing 121 pitches), becoming the first Reds pitcher to do so since . However, he received a no-decision because the Reds did not win the game until the 12th inning.
On September 3, 2007, he became the 3000th strikeout
3000 strikeout club
In Major League Baseball , the 3,000 strikeout club is a term applied to the group of pitchers who have struck out 3,000 or more batters in their careers. Walter Johnson was the first to reach 3,000, doing so in 1923, and was the only pitcher at this milestone for 50 years until Bob Gibson recorded...
recorded by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
' Pedro Martínez
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2004 World Series champion...
.
In 2008, he led the major in home runs given up at home, with 19.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-basesituation-pitching.shtml
In the second inning of a game at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
against the Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
on July 24, 2009, Harang hit his first career home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
, a three-run shot to left field off of pitcher Randy Wells
Randy Wells
Randy David Wells is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.Wells was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 38th Round of the 2002 amateur entry draft as a catcher. He spent his career in the Chicago Cubs farm system from to before being claimed in the Rule 5 Draft by the Toronto...
.
He missed the end of the 2009 MLB season after undergoing emergency appendectomy. He ended the year with a 4.21 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, 1.41 WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
and 6-14 record.
On September 10, 2010, it was announced that Harang would be sent to the bullpen to relief pitch, due to the size of the starting rotation. Harang had been on the DL for two months due to back spasms. In a ceremonial "goodbye", he started the final game of the season against the Brewers, but exited after three innings with a blister on his finger.
Harang was left off the Reds 2010 playoff roster. On November 3, 2010, the Reds bought Harang out of his 2011 contract option, making him a free agent.
San Diego Padres
On December 6, 2010, Harang signed a one-year deal with the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. The deal includes a mutual option for 2012.
On July 9, 2011, Harang had a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
through six innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, but was pulled after walking 3 and throwing 95 pitches.