With one dream in the books, Kainoa John “KJ” Harrison is set on fulfilling another goal.
“I want to get myself a car,” said Harrison, a former Punahou School and Oregon State baseball player who signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. “That’s the main thing. I’ve never had a car my whole life. I’ve always been borrowing my parents’ cars. I didn’t have a car at Oregon State, either. I had a nice little bike. I’m definitely going to need a car.”
The Brewers selected Harrison in the third round in last month’s Major League Baseball draft. MLB.com listed the slot value for the 84th overall pick at $666,000 for a signing bonus. His father Kenny Harrison, a former University of Hawaii baseball player, said his son agreed to a signing bonus of $667,000.
“It’s crazy thinking that playing baseball is something I can do for a living,” KJ Harrison said. “This is my job. It’s unbelievable. I’m so thankful for the opportunity.”
Harrison has been assigned to Helena (Mont.), the Brewers’ advanced rookie team in the Pioneer League. Harrison, who was used as a catcher and first baseman at Oregon State this past season, has been told he will catch for Helena. He is expected to report to the team today.
“They’ll give me as many innings as they can behind the plate so I can get back into catching shape,” said Harrison, who did not catch for OSU after suffering a thumb injury in March. But he did not miss any games, hitting .313 with nine home runs in leading the Beavers to the College World Series.
Harrison was deemed physically fit after undergoing a thorough medical examination Wednesday in Milwaukee. He is forgoing his senior season at OSU.
“I was able to make friends and build relationships in college,” Harrison said. “It’s so hard to say goodbye. I’m so close to so many people. … But after our last game (in the CWS), it was basically over. Everyone was moving on, going to where they needed to go, whether it was summer ball or signing.”
Scott Boras, who represents many of baseball’s top players, serves as Harrison’s adviser.
“We left it in (the Boras group’s) hands and trusted their expertise,” Kenny Harrison said. “It was pretty easy for us.”
On Wednesday, KJ Harrison was invited to Miller Park, where he was presented a Brewers’ cap and a contract.
“It was something I’ll never forget to have that paper in front of me and all the documents to make it official,” Harrison said. “It was a dream come true. It was something I dreamed about since I was young. For it to happen, it was mind blowing. I’m so excited to start this new chapter in my life.”
