Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 07/12/2001
College: Campbell University
How Acquired: Draft Supp. 1st Round, 36th Overall, 2022
Bonus: $2,050,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates selected Harrington as a draft-eligible sophomore from Campbell. He had an impressive record there, starting 29 games combined as a freshman and sophomore. The first year he had an ERA of 3.57 and fanned 72 in 70.2 IP. In 2022, he had an ERA of 2.53, struck out 111 in 92.2 IP and walked only 18. He has a low, three-quarters delivery and excellent control. Harrington’s fastball ranged from the low- to mid-90s, according to the draft report from MLB.com. With Bradenton in 2023, though, it sat at 92-93. The pitch has good movement and gets a lot of spin. Harrington also has a very effective, high-spin slider and a potentially good change. He occasionally throws a cutter. Baseball America ranked Harrington 48th among draft prospects and MLB.com 45th. He signed for $100,300 under the slot amount.
2022-23
As is so often the case with the Pirates, Harrington didn’t appear in a game after signing. In 2023, he opened with Bradenton and made eight starts. He largely breezed through the level, with a 2.77 ERA, 2.8 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9. After moving up to Greensboro for 18 more starts, he found high A more of a challenge. He still had good walk and K rates, 3.0 and 10.8, respectively. He got hit a bit harder and allowed 11 home runs in 88.1 IP (it wasn’t the ballpark, as he was far better at home). But he improved sharply, allowing an opponents’ OPS over .800 in both June and July, then just .604 and .523 in August and September, respectively.
2024
Harrington was on the injured list to start 2024, but he joined Altoona in May. He made a strong showing there, with a 2.24 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 13 games. His control was outstanding, as he walked only 1.3 per nine innings. He struck out 9.7. Harrington got tougher after the early season, posting a 1.30 ERA over his last seven starts, with 46 strikeouts in 41.2 IP. The Pirates moved him up to Indianapolis and he continued to pitch well, with a 3.33 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and excellent control. The one concern might be his 7.4 K/9 in AAA.
Stats
Transactions
July 17, 2022: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Supp. 1st round, 36th overall pick; signed on July 22.