CLEMSON BASEBALL

Harman happy for his former teammates, works on his own professional career
Harman said climbing into the stands to celebrate the Super Regional win over Alabama was the highlight of his career

Harman happy for his former teammates, works on his own professional career


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – Former Clemson pitcher Casey Harman woke up in Peoria, Illinois this morning, took a quick look at the Major League Baseball draft results and was happy to see that two former teammates of his had been taken in the second round.

The left-hander, who was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 29th round of last year’s draft, said he understands a little bit of what Brad MillerBrad Miller
Infielder
#13 6-1, 185
Windermere, FL

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and Will LambWill Lamb
Outfielder
#30 6-6, 175
Seaford, VA

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are going through.

Miller, a shortstop, was taken in the second round by the Seattle Mariners with the 62nd overall pick. Lamb, an outfielder/pitcher, was also picked in the second round by Texas, the 83rd pick overall.

“Of course, it’s a great honor for them to be drafted in the second round,” Harman told TigerNet Tuesday afternoon. “It is a great thing for them and the school. I don’t know what they are going to do, but both of them have had outstanding careers and they have been great players. I am sure both of them are excited about what the future holds.

“I am sure they are looking back at Clemson, and reflecting on the good moments. But I am also sure that are excited about the chance to live out their dream. That was what was going through my mind last year. I love Clemson, but to get the chance to play professional baseball was something I had wanted my whole life.”

Harman said that hoping to earn the opportunity to further your baseball career past college is one of the reasons so many good players choose the Clemson program.

“That is kind of your goal when you choose Clemson,” he said. “It’s not your first goal – your first intent is to win the National Championship and to make it to Omaha. But in the back of your mind, of course, you want to keep your career going and play professionally. I wasn’t a second rounder last season, so it was a little tougher decision for me. It was a tougher decision if I would come back or not. But that is one of the reasons you go to such a great school.”

The Cub farmhand made his way to Clemson out of South Burlington, Vermont, and started two games for the Tigers in last year’s College World Series, but says that isn’t the moment he will remember most from his time at Clemson.

“For me, the greatest moment was winning our Super Regional on our home field,” he said. “We went out there in the cheap seats and we celebrated with our fans at home. Playing in Omaha was great, and being fortunate enough to pitch in two games out there was great, but winning the Super Regional was ahead of even that.”

Harman started out the season in extended spring training in Arizona, but was called up to the Cubs’ Single-A affiliate in Peoria late in April and said he has been enjoying the life of a minor leaguer.

He has been pitching in relief and said he believes he has found his niche – he has a sparkling 0.48 ERA in just over 18 innings pitched.

“It’s been fun so far,” he said. “I’ve pitched well since I’ve been here and I am just trying to find a place on the team. There are some guys here who are better starters, and that is okay with me. They asked me a couple of weeks ago if that was what I wanted to do, and I said I was fine with either role. I can succeed as a reliever. We have a ton of good left-handed starters that are good prospects, so it is better for me as a reliever and I’ve been pitching pretty well in that spot.”

Harman said the long bus rides, to places like Dayton, Grand Rapids, the Quad Cities and others have been tiring but are still more fun than working a regular 9-to-5 job.

“We just got back from a 10-day road trip, and a couple of those were over seven hours each,” he said. “It’s tough, but you just have to get adjusted to it and hope you are not going to do it forever. The Cubs are a great organization and they treat their players pretty well. It has been a great situation for me and I have enjoyed it so far.”

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