William Taylor Harris...Graduated from Slidell (La.) High School and attended Louisiana State University...He and his wife, Caroline, reside in Baton Rouge, La., with their daughter, Lily, and son, Jack...Pitched and played first base in high school and college...As a freshman at LSU, Will and his brother Clay became the first tandem of brothers to start in the same game for LSU since Albert and Terry Belle did so in 1987...Helped LSU to a berth in the 2004 College World Series.
2021
Was placed on the Injured List on April 1 with right hand inflammation...Was reinstated on May 4...Appeared in eight games before undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome at the end of May...2021 Pitch Mix: Cutter (78.5%), Curveball (19.3%), 4-Seam Fastball (2.2%).
2020
Appeared in two games before being placed on the Injured List on July 31 (right groin strain)...After returning from a stint on the Injured List on Aug. 13, pitched to a 3.48 ERA (4 ER/10.1 IP) with one save across his last 12 outings...Offered scoreless relief in his last six outings (5.1 IP, 4 H, 7 SO)...Closed the season with his lone save of 2020 on Sept. 26 vs. New York (1.0 IP, H, SO)...2020 Pitch Mix: Cutter (76.5%), Curve (22.3%), Four Seamer (1.1%).
2019
Went 4-1 with four saves and a 1.50 ERA in 68 games for the Astros...Struck out 62 batters, walked 14 and posted a .196 opponents' batting average...His 1.50 ERA (10 ER/60.0 IP) led American League relievers and ranked second among all MLB relief pitchers...It also set a franchise record for a single season, topping Don McMahon, who posted a 1.53 ERA in 51 appearances for the Colt .45s in 1962...Harris also ranked among American League relievers in opponents' OPS (5th, .540), opponents' on-base percentage (6th, .246), opponents' slugging percentage (6th, .294), WHIP (8th, 0.93) and holds (8th, 26)...Allowed just three extra-base hits to left-handed hitters (125 batters faced, .264 slugging percentage)...From July 13 through the end of the season, he pitched to a 0.99 ERA (3 ER/27.1 IP) with four saves, 13 holds, 36 strikeouts, six walks and a .143 opponents' batting average...All three earned runs came via solo home runs, with the last one coming on Aug. 30 at Toronto...On Aug. 3 vs. Seattle, he combined with Aaron Sanchez (6.0 IP), Joe Biagini (1.0 IP) and Chris Devenski (1.0 IP) to toss the 12th no-hitter in Houston Astros franchise history...Tossed an immaculate inning on Sept. 27 at Los Angeles (AL), as he struck out the side on nine pitches...He recorded a 1.86 ERA (2 ER/9.2 IP) with 11 strikeouts and one walk in 12 Postseason outings as the Astros fell to the Nationals in the 2019 World Series.
2018
Made 61 relief appearances, tied for the second most relief on the club...posted a 2.48 FIP, the 10th-best mark among AL relievers...put up a career-high 53.1% groundball rate...also posted a career-high 31.9% swing and miss rate...his 27.8% strikeout rate was his second-best during his four seasons with Houston, behind his 29.4% mark set in 2017...recorded 16 holds...held right-handed hitters to a .187 batting average (20x107)...made his fifth-career Opening Day roster...recorded at least one strikeout in 17 consecutive games from May 12- June 26...marked the longest streak of his career (previously 12 games from 2017-18)...recorded multiple strikeouts in five consecutive games from June 8-18, the longest streak of his career...struck out a total of 25 batters in 15.1 innings during the streak...did not allow a run in his last 13 appearances of the season, spanning 13.1 innings pitched...opponents were just 5x45 (.111) vs. him in that span...ended the season on a career-long tying four-game winning streak...was on the Astros ALDS roster but did not make the ALCS roster...pitched in Game 3 of the ALDS at CLE, his only appearance of the postseason...pitched 1.0 inning, allowing one run on one hit.
2017
Had another strong season with the Astros, posting a 3-2 record with two saves, a 2.98 ERA (15ER/45.1IP) and 52 strikeouts in 46 games...marked a season-low for outings as an Astro, as he served two stints on the Disabled List...was his third consecutive season with an ERA under 3.00, making him one of three AL pitchers to maintain an ERA under 3.00 in every year since 2015 (min. 45IP), along with LHP Andrew Miller and RHP Cody Allen...walked seven batters in 45.1 innings for a 1.39 walks per 9.0 innings ratio, which ranked fourth in the AL...also ranked third in the AL strikeout to walk ratio (7.43, 52SO/7BB)...ranked 14th in the AL in WHIP (0.97)...posted a career-high 29.4% strikeout rate, and a career-low 4.0% walk rate...gave up just four runs in 24.0 innings on the road for a 1.50 ERA...finished the regular season by going scoreless in each of his last 15 road games (14.1IP)...made his fourth career Opening Day roster, and third with Houston...placed on the 10- day DL with right shoulder inflammation on July 11...was activated on July 28...did not pitch in a game and was placed back on the DL on July 30 (retro to July 28)...removed from the DL on Aug. 27 and had a healthy rest of the season...began the season with a seven-game scoreless streak from April 4-21...gave up two runs in April across 10 outings for a 1.74 ERA (2ER/10.1IP)...moved his career numbers in April with the Astros to 0.84 ERA (3ER/32IP) and 31 strikeouts...pitched a season-long 2.0 innings on May 7 at LAA...gave up three runs on May 14 at NYY in Game 1 of Houston's doubleheader...snapped a 35-game streak where he did not give up multiple runs (dated back to Aug. 9, 2016)...recorded a strikekout in 11 straight games from May 25-June 24 (19SO/11.1IP)...was scoreless in eight of his final 10 regular seaosn appearances, yielding just two earned runs and seven hits across 9.0 innings...made three rehab appearances in the minors this season across two separate stints...pitched a scoreless inning on July 26 with the Class A Advanced Buies Creek Astros prior to his abbreviated return from the DL on July 28...made two more rehab appearances after his second stint on the DL, one each with Double A Corpus Christi (Aug. 22) and Triple A Fresno (Aug. 25)...pitched in six postseason games across all three rounds of the playoffs, posting a 2.25 ERA (1ER/4.0IP) and three strikeouts...threw 0.2 of a scoreless inning in Game 1 of the ALDS vs. BOS...pitched in Games 3 (1ER/0.1IP) and 5 (0ER/1IP) of the ALCS at NYY...was scoreless in all three of his World Series outings...had a crucial 7th-inning outing in Houston's Game 2 win at LAD...stranded a runner at third base to keep Houston within one run of the Dodgers, striking out two in 1.0 inning pitched.
2016
Named to his first career All-Star Team in what was his sixth Major League season and second with Houston...finished 11th among AL relievers in ERA...became the first Astros reliever to post an ERA below 2.30 in consecutive years since RHP LaTroy Hawkins (2008-09)...was tied for the AL lead in holds (28) with RHP Dellin Betances and RHP Nate Jones...his 28 holds ranked tied for third in club history for a single season with RHP Pat Neshek (2015) and RHP Brad Lidge (2003), behind two separate seasons by RHP Octavio Dotel (33 in 2003; 31 in 2002)...became one of two pitchers in Major League history to have a season with at least 12 saves and 28 holds (also RHP Dellin Betances in 2016)...set career-best marks in strikeouts (69), saves, strikeout to walk ratio (4.60), groundball percentage (58%) and walks per 9.0 innings ratio (2.11), while falling two appearances shy of his career high of 68 set in 2015...posted two franchise record streaks...was scoreless in a club-record, 26 consecutive appearances from April 9-June 8...also had a franchise-record, 37-game streak without allowing an extra-base hit from April 7-July 5...allowed a run in his first outing of the season (April 7 at NYY), before rattling off his club-record, 26-game scoreless appearance streak that spanned 26.1 innings...the previous club record was a 25-game streak set by LHP Billy Wagner from 1999 2000...posted the third-longest single season scoreless inning streak by a reliever in club history (26.1 innings from April 9-June 8)...was the longest since RHP Dave Smith's club-record streak of 27.2 innings set in 1987...was also the second-longest scoreless inning streak by a Major Leaguer in 2016, behind RHP Michael Fulmer's 33.1-inning streak...did not allow an extra-base hit in each of his first 37 appearances of the season...the previous club-record streak of games without allowing an extra-base hit was held by RHP Dave Smith (34 games from 1986-87)...the last Major Leaguer with a streak this long was LHP Charlie Furbush (37 games from 2014-15)...was the longest streak to begin a season since RHP Wade Davis' MLB-record, 43-game streak to begin the 2014 season...allowed four runs on July 8 vs. OAK...had gone 42 consecutive games (dating back to Sept. 26, 2015) without allowing multiple runs in an outing, which was the fifth-longest streak in club history, and the longest since LHP Trever Miller's 50-game run from 2006-07...converted each of his first nine save opportunities of the season until suffering a blown save on July 19 at OAK...was the longest consecutive saves streak by an Astros pitcher since RHP Luke Gregerson's 16-game run from 2015-16...was named an AL All-Star for the first time in his career, and tossed a scoreless 0.1 of an inning in the All-Star Game at Petco Park on July 12...struck out Aledmys Diaz looking with two outs and the bases loaded in the 8th inning to help preserve a 4-2 lead for the AL...was scoreless in 16 of his final 18 outings of the season, posting a 1.04 ERA (2ER/17.1IP), 20 strikeouts and a .183 opponent average (11x60) in that span.
2015
Had one of the best seasons by an Astros reliever in club history, leading the team in appearances (68) and relief innings (71.0) while ranking fourth among AL relievers in ERA (1.90) and opponent batting average (.168)...marked the lowest ERA by a Houston reliever since RHP Brad Lidge posted a 1.90 mark in 2004...his opponent batting average was the lowest produced by a right-handed reliever in a single season in club history, and the fourth-lowest overall behind LHP Tony Sipp (.157 in 2014) and LHP Billy Wagner (.135 in 1999 and .165 in 1996)...posted career lows in ERA, opponent average and WHIP (0.90)...his groundball rate of 52.2% was a career high (previously 48.6% in 2013)...led the Majors with a .129 (15x116) opponent batting average against lefties, which also set a new club record for a single season (previously RHP Bill Dawley, .148 in 1983)...set an Astros franchise record by posting a .116 opponent batting average (16x138) during the first half of the season (min. 150 batters faced)...the record was previously held by LHP Billy Wagner, who posted a .126 (18x143) opponent average during the first half of the 1999 season...was tied for ninth among AL relievers in wins (5)...made his second appearance on an Opening Day roster...began the season with a 10-game scoreless streak, which marked the longest start of season streak byan Astro since 2008, when LHP Tim Byrdak and RHP LaTroy Hawkins started their seasons with 17-game runs...his scoreless streak to start 2015 coincided with his season-ending, 16-game scoreless streak with Arizona in 2014...amounted to a career-long, 26-game, 28.2-inning scoreless streak from Aug. 19, 2014-May 2, 2015...was the longest active scoreless innings streak in the Majors at the time, directly ahead of LHP Aroldis Chapman (26.1IP)...the 16-game scoreless streak to end 2014 marked a new Arizona club record...struck out three batters in three consecutive appearances from April 28-May 6...marked the longest such streak by an Astros reliever since RHP Philip Humber did so in 2013...tallied his first career Major League save on Aug. 6 vs. OAK...struck out a career-high five batters on Aug. 16 vs. DET...pitched 2.0 innings in the outing, which also marked a career high...made his postseason debut with Houston, pitching in four total games...tossed a hitless 8th inning in the AL Wild Card Game at NYY...made three appearances in the ALDS against the Royals, allowing five runs (four earned) in 2.0 innings.
2014
In 29 relief appearances over three stints with Arizona, was 0-3 with three holds and a 4.34 ERA (14 ER/29.0 IP)...averaged 10.86 strikeouts per 9.0 IP (35 strikeouts), up from 9.06 in 2013...began the season with Arizona, appearing in seven games before being sent down to Triple A Reno...tossed 2.0 scoreless innings on Opening Day vs. LAD in Sydney, Australia...compiled a career-high 16-game scoreless streak from Aug. 19 through the end of season (15.2 IP)…the 15.2 scoreless innings were tied for the fifth longest streak to end the season…the 16-game scoreless streak to end a season marked a new Arizona club record...was 3-2 with a save and a 0.99 ERA (5ER/45.2IP) in 43 games with Reno…led all minor league relievers (min. 40 games) in ERA at the time of his final promotion on Aug. 18.
2013
Was 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA (17 ER in 52.2 IP) in 61 games in his first season with Arizona. Went to Spring Training with Colorado and was designated for assignment on March 29…claimed off waivers by Oakland on April 3 and by D-backs on April 6. Tied for seventh among NL rookies in appearances (also Brewers' Jim Henderson)…61 games also tied for fifth most by a D-back rookie in club history (also Doug Slaten in 2007). Recorded a 0.93 ERA (3 ER in 29.0 IP) on the road, the lowest among all NL relievers (min. 30 G) and thirdlowest in baseball…only Koji Uehara (0.74) and Tanner Scheppers (0.76) were better. Career-high 11 straight scoreless outings from June 9-July 4 (9.1 IP). Was 0-0 with a 4.63 ERA and 2 saves (6 ER in 11.2 IP) in 12 games with Triple-A Reno.
2012
Began the season at Triple-A Colorado Springs and was selected to the Major League roster on 8/11...Harris went on
to make his Major League debut on 8/13 vs. MIL...in that outing he allowed three runs on two hits, one home run and
one strikeout in 1.0 inning. Following his MLB debut, Harris tossed six scoreless outings, allowing three hits, no walks and seven strikeouts over
6.2 innings from 8/15-25. Earned his first Major League win 8/15 vs. MIL with 2.0 perfect innings. Had multiple strikeouts in six of his outings...finished the season with a 9.7 strikeout per 9.0 inning rate. Made 13 appearances for Triple-A Colorado Springs in his first stint in Triple-A...picked up the win in his Triple-A debut
at Tacoma on 7/13 after working a perfect 10th inning of the Sox 4-3 extra inning victory. Had the lowest ERA for any Sox pitcher with 10 appearances (1.02) in his 17.2 innings of work...also had the lowest
opponent batting average (.145) and WHIP (0.57)...only allowed two runs in his 17.2 ip with Sox...did not allow a run
in first five appearances for the Sox (7.0 ip).
2011
In his first action since the beginning of the 2009 season, saw action in 33 games out of the High-A Modesto bullpen ... was used primarily in late relief, allowing just two runs in 10.1 ip in the eighth inning.
2010
Spent the entire season on the disabled list.
2009
Made just one appearance with Short Season Tri-City on the season, pitching just 1.0 inning.
2008
Spent the full season with High-A Modesto and led the club in relief ERA among Nuts relievers with at least 50.0 ip ... by posting a 2.77 ERA (61.2 ip, 19 er) he has now owned a sub-3.00 ERA in all three professional seasons...opponents batted .221 (51-for-231) against him with lefties at .212 (22-for-104) and righties .228 (29-for-127) ... posted a 2.28 ERA (38.1 ip, 12 er) prior to the All-Star break and a 2.70 ERA (23.1 ip, 7 er) after the break.
2007
Pitched the entire year for Low-A Asheville making 38 relief appearances ... had the lowest ERA (1.32) of any Asheville pitcher ... led all Asheville relievers in strikeouts (68), as he had more strikeouts than innings pitched (47.2) ... his 38 appearances were the fourth-most on the team ... allowed earned runs in 6 of his 38 appearances ... did not allow an earned run
from 6/28-7/24, a span of 11 appearances (12.1 ip) ... struck out a season-high 6 batters in 2.0 innings of work on 7/3.
2006
Spent first professional season with Tri-City ... was unscored upon in 19 of 22 games ... earned first professional save on 7/12.