We’ve reached rarefied air now- we’re in the top four of relievers in the 2019 Valley League season.

And coming in at #4 is the first Waynesboro General on the list, but the second Young Harris Mountain Lion- McLain Harris, the 6-foot-1 righthanded senior.

Harris was lights out for the Generals, helping the squad to a franchise record winning percentage in the regular season:

ERA W L G SV IP H R ER BB K BAVG WIP BB/9 K/9
2019 0.85 1 1 14 3 21.0 22 6 2 3 31 0.256 1.190 1.3 13.3

Out of all pitchers considered for this list, Harris finished fourth in ERA, tenth in WHIP, first in BB/9, and third in K/9. That 3/31 BB/K ratio is pretty impressive. He was named an All-Star, and then first team All-Valley at the end of the season.

He gave up only two earned runs all summer long- his second appearance, on June 11, and his last appearance, on July 24. He threw 16 innings in between those runs.

His three years at Young Harris have been marked by serious improvement each year:

ERA W L G SV IP H R ER BB K WHIP BB/9 K/9
2017 8.18 0 5 6 0 22.0 33 24 20 5 17 1.727 2.0 7.0
2018 4.73 2 4 19 5 53.3 63 31 28 13 62 1.426 2.2 10.5
2019 3.95 1 1 24 7 41.0 46 20 18 6 46 1.268 1.3 10.1

Look at that- his ERA and WHIP have improved each year, and he had his lowest walk rate in his junior season as well. He was named the NCBWA Division II Southeast Regional Pitcher of the Week and the Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week on February 19, 2019.

And remember, as always, the 2019 Valley League Annual is available for purchase!