Report: Pirates Finalizing Deal With Compensation Pick Thomas Harrington

The Pirates concluded their 2022 draft earlier this week after making 21 selections. The next step for the Bucs is now getting those players signed by the deadline on Aug. 1.

According to a report from Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Pirates are finalizing a deal with RHP Thomas Harrington, who is in Pittsburgh for his physical. Harrington was selected by Pittsburgh with the 36th pick. There is no word yet on the signing bonus, but pick No. 36 comes with a slot value of $2,150,300.

The Pirates drafted Harrington out of Campbell University, located in North Carolina. The 6-foot-2 right-hander was ranked as the 45th-best prospect in the 2022 draft class by MLB Pipeline and was considered the 10th-best college arm available this year.

Harrington features a four-pitch mix led by his plus-changeup that is considered a 60-grade on the 20-80 scouting scale. The right-hander also features an above-average fastball and slider as well as a curveball. Harrington has solid control and come with a high floor with the potential of a middle-of-the-rotation starter.

This year with Campbell, the recently-turned 21-year-old went 12-2 with a 2.53 ERA in 15 starts. He struck out 111 and walked just 18 across 92.2 innings of work. He was named an All-American by two different outlets and was named the Big South Pitcher of the Year while taking home first-team conference honors.

For the Pirates, Harrington was the first of 15 pitchers selected out of the 21 draft picks in their draft class. He is ranked as the second-best prospect in the class behind first-rounder Termarr Johnson according to Pipeline.

Harrington is the first Pirates draft pick to reportedly agree to a deal. Pittsburgh still has a lot of work to do with 10 days to go before the signing deadline.