Pirates option Thomas Harrington to Triple-A

Harrington was the 36th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and a former top prospect in the Pirates’ system. Heading into last year, he was the 80th-ranked prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, and the third-ranked prospect for Pittsburgh, ahead of Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows. However, the command specialist struggled at the upper levels of the minors, posting a 5.34 ERA in 96 innings at Triple-A last year and a 6.52 ERA in 58 innings this season. He has since moved into a bulk relief role, which is likely how he will be used in Pittsburgh now.

We’re still early enough in spring training that these large batches of cuts don’t usually come with any major surprises. Harrington pitched well in Grapefruit League action, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 2/3 K/BB ratio over six innings. He should get an opportunity with the Pirates at some point during the 2026 campaign.

Harrington was demoted by the Pirates on Aug. 2, gave up two runs in 4 2/3 innings for Indianapolis six days later and then went on the IL with an undisclosed injury. Given that he threw just 14 pitches Thursday, it seems like he might only be an option in relief for the Pirates next month.

Harrington returns to the minors after recording only two outs and getting obliterated for six runs in relief on Friday night against the Rockies. He’ll get another chance at some point, but his fantasy stock has taken a considerable hit over the last few months.

Harrington was summoned prior to Friday’s series opener against the Rockies. He’ll likely occupy a bullpen role for the final two months of the season, but could be moved into the rotation at some point.

The 23-year-old now has a 6.87 ERA on the season at Triple-A and seems to have been passed by both Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows in terms of potential options for the Pirates’ rotation. With Bubba Chandler also in the mix, it seems highly unlikely we’ll see Harrington in the big leagues again this season, and he’ll need to turn the ship around fast if he wants to have a chance to compete for a 2026 rotation spot.

The Pirates will likely announce a corresponding transaction before Friday’s game. Harrington is one of the top pitching prospects in the system and could be brought back up as either a multi-inning bullpen arm or possibly to make starts. There’s some long-term upside here, but Harrington is best left on the waiver wire for now.

Harrington entered up 4-1 after five, and he got the chance to finish the game after the Pirates expanded their lead to 8-2 in the seventh. He did give up two homers along the way, but a save it was. Harrington, who gave up six runs as a starter in his major league debut last Tuesday, might head back to the minors now in exchange for the fresh arm, but he gave a weary pen a nice lift tonight.

Harrington got off to a rocky start as the Rays tagged him for three runs on three hits, including run-scoring knocks by rookies Jake Magum and Kameron Misner, and a pair of walks during a 30-pitch opening frame. Things didn’t get any better from there as he continued to struggle uncharacteristically with his control and gave up three additional runs on four hits, including a two-run homer by Brandon Lowe. The 23-year-old top pitching prospect projects as a high-floor starter with the command and control to outperform expectations, but he’s going to need some time to acclimate to the big leagues. It’s unclear whether he’ll get another start for the Pirates, but he’s in line to face the Cardinals on Monday at PNC Park.

Harrington, the 36th overall pick in the 2022 draft, will make his major league debut against the Rays on Tuesday. The 23-year-old had a 2.61 ERA and a 115/19 K/BB in 117 1/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A last year.