Will Harris, a right-handed relief pitcher, made a name for himself in Major League Baseball with his consistent performance and reliability on the mound. Born on August 28, 1984, in Houston, Texas, Harris attended Louisiana State University, where he played college baseball for the LSU Tigers. His journey to the major leagues began when he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round of the 2006 MLB Draft.
Harris spent several years honing his skills in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the Rockies on August 13, 2012. His time with Colorado was brief, as he appeared in just 20 games over two seasons. In April 2013, Harris was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics, but his stay there was short-lived. Later that year, he was picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he began to establish himself as a reliable bullpen option.
During his tenure with the Diamondbacks, Harris showcased his ability to handle high-pressure situations, appearing in 61 games in 2014 with a 4.34 ERA. His performance caught the attention of the Houston Astros, who acquired him off waivers in November 2014. It was with the Astros that Harris truly found his stride, becoming an integral part of their bullpen.
From 2015 to 2019, Harris was a key component of the Astros' relief corps. In 2015, he posted a remarkable 1.90 ERA over 68 appearances, quickly earning the trust of the coaching staff and fans alike. His success continued in 2016, when he was selected to his first and only All-Star Game, thanks to his impressive 2.25 ERA and 12 saves in 66 games.
Harris played a crucial role in the Astros' 2017 World Series championship run. Throughout the postseason, he provided steady relief, helping the team secure its first-ever title. Over the next two seasons, Harris remained a dependable option out of the bullpen, maintaining a sub-3.00 ERA in both 2018 and 2019.
In December 2019, Harris signed a three-year contract with the Washington Nationals. His first season with the Nationals in 2020 was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still managed to appear in 20 games, recording a 3.06 ERA. Unfortunately, injuries plagued Harris during his time with Washington. In 2021, he underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, limiting his appearances and effectiveness on the mound.
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