St. Louis Cardinals: Mitch Harris and Other Notes from Jupiter

Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan takes a look at St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Mitch Harris.

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Harris’ background is an interesting one as he aims to become the first Navy graduate to pitch in a Major League Baseball game since Nemo Gaines did so in 1921. As is the case with other athletes drafted out of the military academies, Harris had to put in his service commitment before embarking on his career in professional baseball. Redbird Rants interviewed the pitcher in early 2013 just before Spring Training.

The Cardinals were, for the most part, given the day off on Wednesday as the team prepares for its first game of Spring Training on Thursday against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium although John Gast, Marco Gonzales, Tyler Lyons, Sam Freeman, Sam Tuivailala and Dean Kiekhefer were on hand to throw bullpen sessions.

The first three pitchers to start games this spring are all competing for the fifth and final spot of the Cardinals pitching rotation: Carlos Martinez, Gonzales, and Jaime Garcia. Tim Cooney will pitch after Martinez while Lyons will relieve Gonzales. Martinez will start against for Cardinals pitcher Dan Haren. Garcia is looking to force the Cardinals’ hand into having him start games this season.

Adam Wainwright may not be facing hitters any time soon but he’s certainly getting his work on the mound during Spring Training.

"“My arm feels great,” Wainwright said. “My body is in the perfect position to throw the ball. It’s getting better each time. … I was very happy with where my pitches were. I kept the ball down for the most part; that’s what I was working on today, staying knees and below. I worked sides. I worked pitches. The changeup has come a long way. I’m going to throw more than one a game this year.”"

Wainwright is expected to throw another bullpen session on Thursday.