MLB

Harvey starting to take major notes

SAN DIEGO — Matt Harvey plans to take advantage of all the pitching tools at his disposal, from his 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame that enables him to fire 98 mph fastballs to his iPad.

One of the rookie’s best attributes is his desire to get better, his willingness to learn.

This has been a whirlwind 11 days for Harvey, since being called up from Triple-A Buffalo. Years from now, if Harvey is as successful as he is projected to be for the Mets, this could be known as the Matt Harvey Trip. The right-hander will make his third start as a Met today in the finale against the Padres at spacious Petco Park. Lessons have been learned and notes taken.

Harvey, 23, had some growing pains at North Carolina, and he will be sure to have some growing pains as a Met. He raised the bar on expectations with a Mets’ rookie record 11 strikeouts in his debut against the Diamondbacks in a 3-1 win July 26. His next outing was solid, six strong innings against the Giants. Better defense would have helped as Harvey (1-1, 1.59) came up on the short end of a 4-1 score.

After that game Harvey said his teammates gave him a run, he should have pitched a shutout. In that respect Harvey reminds me of CC Sabathia, big shoulders, never satisfied.

METS BOX SCORE

Harvey will start against Staten Island’s Jason Marquis. The Mets beat the punchless Padres, 6-2, last night. Harvey will make his Citi Field debut Friday against the Braves. Terry Collins wants Harvey to learn as much as he can from Johan Santana, who will pitch Saturday.

“When Johan is back in the clubhouse, Matt Harvey should spend time around him to hear the philosophy on how Johan pitches because at one time, from the left side, Johan had the kind of stuff we see out of Matt Harvey from the right side,’’ Collins said.

Harvey keeps a book. That is not unusual. Some of the best pitchers in the game, kept notes on opposing hitters and wrote themselves reminders on how to keep their mechanics in line. Curt Schilling kept just such a journal, using it as a workbook.

Harvey keeps his journal on his iPad. He calls it his Pitching Bible. Harvey’s journal is only for him, a reminder of what he must do to have success as a pitcher.

After his last outing, Harvey’s notes included this key point, stay more over the pitching rubber, don’t rush. Harvey explained the adjustment to The Post in a quiet corner of the visitor’s clubhouse.

“I need to have almost a hesitation, a pause,’’ he said. “Sometimes you jump out too fast before your hand gets out of your glove. Sometimes I will go to the plate and my hand is still in my glove, instead of staying over the rubber and getting a release with that hand and arm.’’

That release creates late life on his pitches. When Harvey has that little bit of hesitation he is right and all that was noted on his iPad.

Harvey has been able to get his feet under him on this trip and settle in with his teammates and in that respect this has been a huge success. That was the team’s plan so they could ease him into his first Citi Field start when the Matt Harvey Show officially hits New York. Another good outing today and expectations will be raised and that’s a good thing for a team that has wallowed in the swamp of low expectations for so long.

On Thursday night Harvey went to dinner with his representative, super-agent Scott Boras. Ex-major leaguer pitcher Bill Caudill works with Boras, and was Boras’ first multi-million contract signing, and has been instrumental in guiding Harvey along.

“Bill is awesome,’’ Harvey said. “He’s come fishing with me and my dad. He’s basically part of the family. My little niece calls him Uncle Bill. He’s a huge mentor to me.’’

Know this: Matt Harvey will learn as much as he can and utilize all his assets.