UNC Baseball: Parks Harber signs with the New York Yankees
![Jun 2, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels infielder Parks Harber (14) reacts to getting a base hit against the Louisiana State Tigers in the sixth inning of the Div. I NCAA baseball regional at Boshamer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Camarati-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels infielder Parks Harber (14) reacts to getting a base hit against the Louisiana State Tigers in the sixth inning of the Div. I NCAA baseball regional at Boshamer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Camarati-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3600,h_2025,x_0,y_61/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/206/01j366qsfeq1pp4vjkxd.jpg)
Parks Harber didn't hear his name called in the recent 2024 MLB Draft, but that didn't stop him from finding an opportunity with a Major League organization.
As first reported by multiple sources (including DI Baseball) and confirmed by Harber himself to Keeping It Heel, the former Tar Heel has signed a deal with the New York Yankees organization.
1B/3B Parks Harber, UNC
— Yankees Prospect Watch (@NYY_Prospects) July 17, 2024
Turns 23 in September.
2024 Stats (Senior):
.343/.425/.648, 20 HR, 63 RBI, 30 XBH, 4 SB (273 PA)
Previous played three seasons for Georgia. Was All-SEC Academic Player.
Accolades:
NCBWA 2nd Team All-American
Second Team All-ACC
Harber came to Chapel Hill prior to the start of the 2024 season, as he aimed to close out his college career in style. He did just that, as he was a consistent power presence in the middle of the Diamond Heels lineup and helped guide the program back to Omaha for the first time since 2018.
As the Tar Heels' everyday first baseman, Harber started all 61 games he played in, as he posted a .343 batting average to go along with 20 home runs and 63 RBIs over 273 plate appearances. Essentially half of his hits were for extra bases, as Harber was a home run and double double machine for the Diamond Heels.
Sure, Vance Honeycutt and Casey Cook get a lot of the love at the top of the Tar Heels lineup, but Harber deserves a lot of praise for what he was able to do. Harber's presence made it impossible to pitch around the likes of Honeycutt and Cook, and if pitchers were dumb enough to do that, Harber made them pay.
A transfer from Georgia, Harber was a big-time addition for the UNC baseball program for this year's team. He fit the lineup perfectly right away, as his presence was a major factor in the team's overall success.
Given his ability to hit the baseball, it's not surprising at all to see him sign with a Major League ball club. With the way he can handle the bat, don't be surprised if Harber becomes a high-rising prospect within the Yankees farm system.
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