Donnie Hart used preparation and talent to lead to big league success

For a player taken in the 27th round with the 819th overall selection of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, left-hander Donnie Hart is doing pretty well so far in the major leagues.

He was called up on Aug. 12 for his second stint with the Orioles this season. So far, the 5-foot-11 hurler has pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits over seven appearances. Lefty batters are 1-for-15 (.067) against him and right-handed batters are 2-for-6 (.333).

So far he looks like he could be the answer in the season-long search for a consistent bullpen left-hander.

How has the big league experience been for Hart so far?

"A real learning experience," he said. "Every day that I've been up here I've learned something new. Every single day. Whether it be from the pitching side of it, the defensive side of it or how to study hitters. Have learned something new every day.

"You have to learn. I think if you asked these guys that have played here 10 years, they would tell you the same thing. They learn every day. It has been fun and I enjoy studying the game."

With that sidearm delivery, the Texas State product has gone 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA and four saves this season for Double-A Bowie. He walked just seven and fanned 50 over 46 1/3 innings, holding lefty batters to a .188 average.

It should come as no surprise that two of the veterans that have been there to help him the most are Darren O'Day and Zach Britton.

"Darren, with him and I throwing similar, he has helped me throughout my career," Hart said. "And guys like Zach, as good as he is, he is a very studious player. He knows guys and knows their tendencies. Probably around the fifth or sixth inning we have a pretty good conversation about hitters and especially the lefties in the lineup. He's faced them. Zach has been real helpful.

"I met Darren in spring training in 2014 and we kind of talked about some stuff. I introduced myself to him and let him know I throw similar to the way he does. In 2015, we had more conversations and we had even more this past spring training. When I got here, we started talking again and he has really helped me. He is willing to help anybody, no matter how you throw, starter or reliever. He is a great guy, a great clubhouse guy."

Hart was not kidding when he said he wants to learn and study the game. He said he would study the hitters this year in the Eastern League with Bowie and track the stats and trends of batters he might face. He said his routine that he has developed over the years has helped keep him healthy. Then he makes sure he does the prep work on the opponent batters.

"Pregame, my biggest thing is being able to look at the hitters and see what they have," he said. "Who is hot and who is not at the time. See where at in the lineup you can get hurt with certain pitches and where you can't. A big thing for me is knowing who the hitters are even before I get loose. I don't like feeling blind going into anything.

"Did that in the Eastern League, too. We have numbers on guys we face and you can go back and look at the last five, 10, 15 games. You can look at which guys hit left-handers better than righties."

So a combination of preparation, routine and talent have led Hart to the big leagues. Is it possible the O's found a bullpen lefty with a 27th-round draft pick?

"Any chance up here is a good opportunity. That is the way I look at," Hart said. "Every day here is great. I don't want to get too comfortable. When you do, it can come back to bite you. I come into this clubhouse thinking it could be my last day."