Harvey earned consensus first-team All-America honors in 1999 at Nebraska, leading the Huskers to a Big 12 Tournament title and an NCAA appearance.

After an impressive first half of the 2004 season, featuring an early battle with Baltimore Orioles Melvin Mora for the AL lead in batting average, Harvey was selected as the Royals' lone representative in the All-Star Game.

After struggling the second half of the 2004 season, Harvey found himself battling Calvin Pickering for his roster spot the following spring.

However, after playing in only 12 games, during which he batted just .222 with five RBI, Harvey was placed on the disabled list on May 22 due to recurring back problems.

On December 8, 2006, Harvey signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins with an invitation to spring training.