In 2018, Hunter Harvey finds out how far his long road back takes him

Here is an interesting fact about Orioles pitching prospect Hunter Harvey. He has already been ranked by Baseball America among the club's top four prospects four times. This despite having never pitched through a full season and having not yet pitched above low Single-A baseball.

Clearly there is plenty of talent and potential here even if there is not yet an abundance of innings or game experience.

But this could be a season where - knock on wood - Harvey pitches start to finish and rises above Single-A Delmarva. Maybe well above that level.

A lot is expected of a pitcher who was once ranked No. 38 on the ESPN top 100 prospects list. That came after the 2013 season. In the latest O's top 10 prospects lists, ESPN and Baseball America rank Harvey No. 4 and Baseball Prospectus rated him No. 6.

Since he was drafted by the Orioles 22nd overall in the summer of 2013, Harvey has dealt with a shin injury and had a sports hernia procedure. On top of that, he needed Tommy John surgery in July 2016. That limited the 23-year-old right-hander to 31 1/3 combined innings in 2016 and 2017.

But he then returned to pitch last season and made it back to game action in July - he did so one week before the one-year anniversary date of his surgery. That was impressive. So was the fact he gave up just two runs and 11 hits over 18 2/3 combined innings between the GCL Orioles, short-season Single-A Aberdeen and Delmarva. He issued six walks and fanned 30, averaging 14.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

When Harvey returned last summer, he saw something a bit unexpected. His velocity looked to be all the way back as he touched 96 and 97 mph. His stuff looked like it had returned to its pre-surgery form.

"Very surprised to be honest," Harvey said of throwing so well right from the start. "I wasn't expecting to have my command as good as it was or my off-speed pitches. I didn't have very high expectations going into it and I surprised myself a little bit.

"It's been a tough couple of years. A lot of injuries and a lot of pain. But the ability to throw and not hurt and have a normal offseason has been nice. Hopefully I don't have to worry about any more injuries."

Can you blame the kid for being excited for this season? He's been through a lot. And at a time when club officials indicate he could even see big league time at some point this season, Harvey is down with that. He's aiming high come spring training.

"One of the main goals is to play a full season and be healthy," he said. "I haven't been able to do that yet. I was close in 2014, but at the end of the year, you know, the injury bug started. The overall goal is to get to the big leagues and have success. But I'd say one of my main goals is to be healthy and pitch a full season. No matter where it's at."

Yep, making it to Baltimore would sure be something if Harvey can pull that off. The Orioles might be conservative with his innings early in the season, but they are not putting any limits on where he can pitch this year. Harvey's dad, Bryan, was a closer in the majors from 1987-1995. Maybe this is the season the son gets at least of taste of the show.

"Yes, that is one of my goals," Hunter said. "That is one of the top things on my list and what I've been training for all off-season. You know the last three years rehabbing, I've worked my butt off to get healthy and if I get the opportunity, I really want to try and get there."

It seems 100 might be a reasonble season innings limit for Harvey this season, although club officials are putting out a number on that. The comeback of Dylan Bundy, who had his own Tommy John surgery, may provide a bit of a framework on the innings front for Harvey. After pitching a combined 63 1/3 innings in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, Bundy pitched in the majors starting in 2016 and threw 109 2/3 innings. He pitched 169 2/3 innings for the Orioles last season. If Harvey can get around 100 this season, give or take, and end the year healthy, the 2017 season would likely end as a success for him.

That is whether he makes it as far as Baltimore or not.

The bash is tonight: The Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore hosts another "Babe Ruth Birthday Bash" tonight. It is one of the top events of the year on the Baltimore sports calender. It will take place between 5:30 and 9 p.m. at the Diamond Tavern inside the Hilton Baltimore.

Former Orioles pitcher Ross Grimsley is scheduled to attend and I'll be there and will take part in an Orioles roundtable discussion. Although we may not sit at an actual round table. Some area media members are expected to be on hand in addition to former Olympic skater Kimmie Meissner, former Maryland Terps Ernie Graham and Johnny Rhodes, and former NFL players Jean Fugett Jr. and Bruce Laird.

Some tickets are still available. For more information or to order tickets, call 410-727-1539 extenstion 3051 until 4 p.m. today.