Harrington, 21, was taken in the Competitive Balance Round A with a slot value of $2,150,300, though the price is set at $2,050,000.
Thomas is a RHP from Campbell University, in North Carolina, where he spent two seasons. He was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the 45th best prospect in the draft and the 10th best college arm.
The righty starter posted a 12-2 record with a 2.53 ERA last season through 15 starts including 111 strikeouts, a .939 WHIP, only 18 walks and one shutout in 92.2 innings of work.
Harrington is most certainly the top of the 15 pitchers the Pirates drafted this year. He claimed Big South Pitcher of the Year this past season and was named and an All American by two different outlets.
His strongest pitches are his changeup and slider that both came in at 55 grades. The slider sits in the low-80s, while the changeup is in the mid-80s. He is commended on his control and was touted as one of the best strike throwers of the class.
The 6'2" Campbell University walk-on is projected as a number 3 starter in a rotation, but the kid has a lot of upside and the organization sees him potentially being a 2 or 1.
With this signing the Pirates have signed 3 of their first 4 picks, with Termarr Johnson being the one waiting.
