Pirates

Pirates Preview: Harrington Makes Debut Opposite Bucs ’17 First-Rounder

Published

2 weeks ago

April 1, 2025

Pirates' prospect Thomas Harrington: photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Pirates.

It’s now three losses in a row for the Pittsburgh Pirates after falling 6-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Pirates’ offense was shut down in the loss and Carmen Mlodzinski pitched well early on before unraveling in the fourth inning.

The Pirates will look to snap their skid and even up the series against the Rays on Tuesday night as Thomas Harrington will make his MLB debut.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Clear skies with temperatures in the low-80s at first pitch. Winds NW at 7-8 mph. Pretty nice night for baseball, I’d say.

RHP Thomas Harrington Will Start for the Pirates

The Pirates will select the contract of Harrington from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to first pitch. A corresponding move on the 40-man and 26-man rosters will be necessary.

Harrington was drafted by the Pirates with the 36th pick out of Campbell University in the 2022 draft.

He made 13 appearances/12 starts with Double-A Altoona last season and went 2-2 with a 2.24 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 68.1 innings. After getting promoted to Indianapolis, the right-hander made eight starts and went 5-1 with a 3.33 ERA.

MLB Pipeline ranks Harrington as the Pirates third-best prospect and 78th-best on the top 100.

RHP Shane Baz Will Start for the Rays

Baz was originally drafted by the Pirates with the 12th pick of the first round in 2017. He was sent to the Rays as a player to be named later in the infamous Chris Archer trade.

The 25-year-old returned to the mound for 14 starts last season after missing all of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery. In those 14 starts, Baz went 4-3 with a 3.06 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 79.1 innings. Opponents hit just .200 against him.

Baz struggled during spring training, finishing with a 9.64 ERA (10er/9.1ip) and more walks (five) than strikeouts (four).

This will be his first time facing the team that drafted him.

Rays Hitters vs. Harrington

Pirates Hitters vs. Baz

Tommy Pham: 1 for 2, one triple
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0 for 2, one strikeout
Andrew McCutchen: 0 for 2

Tidbits

Last year, Harrington was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Month in July while with the Curve and was tabbed as the International League Pitcher of the Week for Aug. 18-25.
The Pirates have totaled only 15 runs through their first five games of the season. Only two teams in the National League — the Rockies and Braves — have scored fewer.
With another steal in Monday’s loss, Oneil Cruz has been successful in his last 25 stolen base attempts.