Scouting the Pirates system 2024: Best control/command

Looking at who has the best control in the Pirates system

Photo Credit: Ryan Palencer

The ‘Best Tools’ series is a look throughout the Pittsburgh Pirates organization at who has the best tools in the system.

It doesn’t matter how good your stuff is, if you can throw it for strikes it really doesn’t matter.

Throwing strikes is the biggest key to success for any pitcher, and helps provide a certain ceiling when it comes to prospects.

Here’s a look at some of the prospects with the best control/command in the system:

NolaJeffy: Thomas Harrington

At least in terms of best breaking ball and best off-speed, Thomas Harrington was the bridesmaid, but this time he’s the bride. His sweeper could be argued as one of the best breaking pitches, and then his changeup would be in competition with Bubba for second place. When it comes to command/control, this is where Harrington shines. He began with Altoona (not including his short rehab time with Bradenton), where he walked only 3.7% of the batters he faced. After being promoted to Indianapolis, his strikeout rate dropped a little over 6%, and his walk rate only nudged up 0.8% a level up. He pounds the strike zone, with a 67.7% strike rate.

WTM also picked Harrington as having the best control/command in the system.

Murphy—The only example that I feel like I need in favor of Harrington having the best control/command in the system is his August 17th start with Indianapolis.

Harrington tossed seven shutout innings against the St. Paul Saints, needing just 63 pitches to get through the outing. He was super efficient this past season, and could have easily tossed a complete game while staying under 100 pitches if he wasn’t pulled in favor of a rehabing pitcher.

It was a lot of that throughout his time with Indianapolis.

Scott Randall

Acquired in the deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks that included Diego Castillo, Scott Randall missed the entire 2023 season with an injury. He worked his way back this past season and posted the lowest walk rate in the system among pitchers with at least 40 innings pitched.

He’s always been a finesse/control oriented pitcher, as he sports a 4.9% career walk rate, and 67% of his pitches have gone for strikes.

Derek Diamond

Currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League, Derek Diamond has a career walk rate of 5.3% in 219.1 minor league innings. He actually came under that this past season, posting a 4.6% walk rate, while 69% of his pitches went for strikes.

Braxton Ashcraft

Part of the reason why Braxton Ashcraft has emerged as a top 100 prospect is thanks to his control. He has three pitches that he can throw for strikes at an elite level.

He has a 6.3% career walk rate, but has slowly improved that over the last couple of seasons. Ashcraft posted a 5.16% walk rate in 2023 before improving it to 4% this past season.

During the 2023 season 70% of his pitches were thrown for strikes, with seeing only a slight drop off this season (68%).

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