Pirates Select RHP Thomas Harrington 36th in MLB Draft

The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected right-handed pitcher Thomas Harrington with the 36th selection in MLB’s Draft. Harrington is a 21-year-old pitcher out of Campbell University. In 2021 Harrington posted a 3.45, struck out 75, and walked 28 in 75.2 innings pitched. 

Harrington has limited experience at the collegiate level, but he offers a four-seam (55 grade), slider (55 grade), changeup (60 grade), and curveball (50 grade) to his pitching repertoire. Harrington’s fastball has touched mid-90s but sticks right in the low-90s for the majority. His changeup is his go-to off-speed pitch and has been known to generate swing and miss ability. 

The 6-foot-2 190 pound North Carolina native put together a very impressive season in 2022. In 92.2 innings pitched, Harrington put up a 2.53 ERA, struck out 111, walked just 18, and allowed one homer. The biggest upside that we have heard with Harrington is his control, and looking at his walk numbers, it seems to be the case. 

“Harrington’s heater will range from 90-93 mph on some days and 93-96 on others, but it regularly misses bats with its run and carry.” said MLB Pipeline. “His best offering is a mid-80s changeup with tumble that elicits swings-and-misses in and out of the strike zone.”

Harrington won Big South Pitcher of the Year honors in 2022 and even topped all of D1 pitchers in wins with 12. 2022 was the year for Campbell University, with Harrington and Zach Neto going in the first round of MLB’s draft. 

One of the more impressive feats came from this Kiley McDaniel tweet on Harrington. 

Campbell RHP Thomas Harrington was the surprise standout, grading above avg to excellent at almost every metric they have: 4th in arm speed, 100% efficiency (arm speed over stress), low in shoulder stress, high in hip-shoulder separation, etc. Can see why numbers teams love him. pic.twitter.com/hCS5AMeAcu

— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) July 16, 2022

Harrington now joins Termarr Johnson as the new Pirates’ additions in the MLB Draft, and now we wait for the last pick of the night for Pittsburgh, sitting at number 44. Who will the Pirates select next?