Thomas Harrington looks to adjust to common roadblock

Photo Credit: Ryan Palencer

In his final start of the season on Wednesday night, Thomas Harrington allowed three hits and a run in the first inning.

Afterward, he worked four more innings, allowing just four hits and an unearned run.

This has been a common theme for Harrington. In his eight starts with Indianapolis, he has yielded 10 of his 18 runs in the first two innings of the game.

“Being sharper in the first inning is something I need to get better at,” Harrington said. “Sometimes in the first, I feel like I’m not quite dialed in yet and really intent on my pitches. I really just try to get a feel for the zone. Once I do, I feel like I can really roll off that.”

Harrington knows all about getting off to a modest start when it comes to baseball. He didn’t pitch at all until his Junior year in high school. He walked on at Campbell after limited college baseball interest.

However, Harrington also knows all about taking advantage of opportunities, as he worked into the 36th overall draft pick by the Pirates just two years into his time on campus.

“I didn’t originally expect a ton from baseball,” Harrington said. “Baseball has given me everything. I’ve made great friends and relationships through the game. I plan to keep working hard, continue having success, and eventually impact the big league level.”

When it comes to his development, Harrington enjoyed a solid baseline of working in the zone. From there, he gradually added all of the tools to his box as he went along.

“I’ve always been a strike thrower,” Harrington said. “That has helped me throughout my pitching journey. Figuring out velocity, pitch shapes, and how my stuff plays to attack a lineup has just come with experience.”

Much of this initial progress was made at Campbell. Harrington credited the coaching staff there, who didn’t care if he was a walk-on or on scholarship. He also came in with a group of freshmen that featured five draft picks. 

Despite his Freshman year still being impacted by COVID, between the coaches and learning how to play the game with that group led to advanced progression.

Since being drafted, Harrington has continued to polish his game.

“I think it’s just taken it to a different level,” Harrington said. “I’ve gotten older, so I know how my stuff plays. I know what I’m trying to do out on the mound. The Pirates have been great with helping me try to maximize that and be tough as nails out there.”

Being so new to pitching, Harrington has already come so far. He’s now a top prospect and at Triple-A at just 23 and is still getting better. His biggest issue of getting off to slow starts is the theme of his baseball career. He’s already solved it once, so experience is in his favor.

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