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Pittsburgh Pirates 2023 Minor League Players of the Year: High-A Greensboro
These two players put together a strong season for the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers this season
Who was the best pitcher and hitter for the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers during the 2023 season?
As we continue to take a look back at and recap the 2023 season, next up for recapping Pittsburgh Pirates minor league seasons are the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. The 2023 season was a strong one for the Grasshoppers finished third in the South Atlantic League North Division with a 68-61 record.
Today, we will take a look at the best pitcher and the best hitter for the Grasshoppers this past season. Due to players moving up to Altoona throughout the season, this was a bit of a challenging things to pinpoint. However, both of the players who have been selected finished the season with Greensboro.
Previous minor league team best pitcher/hitter articles:
- Triple-A Indianapolis
- Double-A Altoona
Best pitcher - Thomas Harrington
Selected 36th overall in the 2022 draft, Thomas Harrington has quickly become one of the more intriguing starting pitcher prospects in the Pirate farm system. The 22-year-old Harrington started the season with Low-A Bradenton, posting a 2.77 ERA and a 3.75 FIP in 39 innings pitched across 8 starts.
This success led to Harrington being promoted to High-A Greensboro. With the Grasshoppers, Harrington became a workhorse and continued to pitch well. Harrington made 18 starts for the Grasshoppers, pitching 88.1 innings. He posted a 3.87 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 7.7% walk rate, 28.2% strikeout rate, and allowed just 11 home runs (1.12 HR/9).
Harrington has swing-and-miss stuff, as well as plus control. This is a combination that can lead to a lot of success for a starting pitcher, and lead to a starting pitcher becoming one of the best prospects in a farm system.
Looking ahead to 2024, it would not be a surprise to see Harrington start the season in the rotation at Double-A Altoona. To be honest, Harrington pitching his way to the majors may not be out of the realm of possiblity next season.
Best pitcher - Jack Brannigan
Like Harrington, Jack Brannigan started his season with Low-A Bradenton. However, after hitting for a .253/.398/.451 slash line with a 135 wRC+ at Bradenton, Brannigan was promoted to Greensboro. Brannigan's success did not just carry over to Greensboro, he improved.
In 173 plate appearances with the Grasshoppers, Brannigan hit for a .299/.382/.605 slash line with a 159 wRC+. Brannigan drew walks at a 12.1% rate, but his 33.5% strikeout rate was higher than you would like to see.
The biggest positive for Brannigan this season was his power. He hit 12 home runs, 7 doubles, and a triple with Greensboro. This led to Brannigan posting an outstanding .306 isolated slugging (ISO) with the Grasshoppers.
Currently, Brannigan is playing for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League. This should even further improve how prepared Brannigan is for the 2024 season. Brannigan will be 23 when the season begins and should begin the season with Double-A Altoona. Even if he is back in Greensboro, it should not take him long to get to Altoona.
Next. Pitchers strong Septmeber. 3 Pirate Pitchers Who Had a Strong September. dark