Chicago Cubs Media Relations Office

This season, the right-handed batter hit .463 (19-41) with 10 extra-base hits, 19 runs scored and 14 RBI. He missed Dunedin's first 17 games while recovering from a knee injury -- but returned in time to set a school record for career runs scored (110).

Harvey hails from the same high school as Cubs Vice President/General Manager Jim Hendry, who graduated from Dunedin High School in 1973.

The outfielder was considered a top-10 draft pick as early as his junior year due to his power and athleticism. During his junior season, he batted .385 with 7 homers and 40 RBI - and went 10-1 with a 1.46 ERA in 13 mound appearances.

"We're excited to get a five-tool player with raw power," said John Stockstill, the Cubs director of scouting. "He has size and strength.

"We picked him over the college players because we just felt that he has a very high ceiling ... in this draft, we felt Ryan was above the college players. He's the guy that we think is going to be a great player."

Harvey began attracting national attention after winning the Diamond Skills competition for the 12-year-old division at the 1997 All-Star Game in Cleveland. Two years later, he won the 14-year-old division at Boston's All-Star Game.

In its June 22 issue, Baseball America ranked Harvey the third-best position player. The publication ranked his arm strength as the best among high school position players and ranked him second in the categories of five-tool talent and power hitting.

According to Baseball America, "Harvey runs well and is a potential Gold Glove right fielder ... Some scouts say he has the best overall package of tools in the nation."

As the sixth pick, Harvey becomes the highest-drafted player in Pinellas County history. His stats for the last two years at Dunedin High:

YEAR  AVG   AB  R   H   2B  3B  HR  RBI  SB  
2002  .385  104 37  40  7   5   7   40   7 
2003  .463  41  19  19  5   1   4   14   4

Harvey's high school honors include: