Pirates All 40: Ryan Harbin’s Big Strikeout Numbers Lead to Roster Addition
This is one in a series breaking down players on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.
One of the first roster moves the Pirates made this offseason was adding right-handed pitching prospect Ryan Harbin to the 40-man roster. Had he not been added, Harbin would have been a minor-league free agent.
Harbin split the 2025 season between three levels. He made 22 appearances with High-A Greensboro and went 2-2 with a 2.37 ERA, four saves and 46 strikeouts in 30.1 innings. After getting promoted to Double-A Altoona, the 24-year-old went 1-1 with a 3.66 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 19.2 innings.
The Pirates once again promoted Harbin to Triple-A Indianapolis, and while he continued impressive strikeout totals, he had an 11.48 ERA in 14 appearances and walked 16 batters in 13.1 innings.
Harbin ended the season with a whopping 92 strikeouts in 63.1 innings but walked 46 batters.
The Pirates selected Harbin out of high school in the 17th round of the 2019 draft. He’s totaled six seasons in the organization and is 7-14 with a 4.74 ERA and 12 saves. In 201.1 innings, he’s walked 130 batters and has struck out 264.
Harbin’s pitch mix certainly factored into the decision to add him to the roster. He features a high-90s fastball plus a slider and a splitter.
Harnessing his impressive pitch mix will be the biggest key for Harbin, who finds himself one step closer to reaching the big leagues. If he’s able to control his pitches better without sacrificing the ability to get swings and misses, he has a chance to factor into the Pirates’ bullpen in 2026.
More about:Pirates