#17 Mike Kickham, LHP. 6'4", 205 lbs. BD: 12/12/1988.
Low A: 5-10, 4.11, 111.2 IP, 37 BB, 103 K's, GO/AO= 1.46.
Mike Kickham continued a pattern from college of posting peripheral numbers that look much better than his ERA. What's encouraging about Kickham's performance for Augusta is he got progressively stronger as the season went along. Over his last 10 starts, he went 4-5, 3.25, 55.1 IP, 13 BB, 40 K, GO/AO=2.36. He really turned it on over his last 6 starts starting August 5: 3-3, 2.23, 36.3 IP, 5 BB, 25 K.
Kickham obviously has great size for a lefthander, or any pitcher for that matter. His FB ranges from 90-94 MPH. He has 2 breaking balls and a changeup. The FB is most likely a 2 seamer as he keeps the ball on the ground and was putting up dominant GB numbers by the end of the season.
As a 22 yo college draftee, he was a bit old for low A. He'll likely move up to San Jose which is in a much more hitter friendly league so it will be a challenge. Based on his physical tools, impressive secondary stats and the improvement he showed last year, I think he will be up to the task and could be poised for a breakout season. Enough people are looking at him as a potential sleeper that he may not be a true sleeper, but yeah, he's a major sleeper with a ceiling that could eventually take him all the way to the mound in AT&T Park.
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That is pretty nice improvement, though he is a bit old for the league, which is probably why he is #17. Yeah that bodes well for a breakout season, the stats and improvement.
ReplyDeleteThe 2012 San Jose team is shaping up to be endlessly fascinating. Between a lineup of Panik, Susac, Oropesa and Duvall, and pitchers like Kickham, Rosin, Dunnington and Bochy there's just so many to keep and eye on.
DeleteSure beats watching the San Jose A's.
DeleteAnd hopefully they'll start Osich in SJ too!
DeleteIn addition to that Augusta rotation with Crick, Blackburn and hopefully Galindo it'll be nice to see SJ's with Kickham and the back in the rotation hopefully righties. Osich is a million dollar question eh? Nice to have at least 3 solid lefty prospects for the starting route, and hopefully Osich will join them.
ReplyDeleteDrB - Klima is back - he was working on a book, which looks very cool.
Also, loved your comment on the VSG signing in Fangraphs today. Went back and looked at the Raggs/HR article as well. That comment sticks with me you laid down there - fastball command and don't give in to hitters! Giants have a lot of interesting pitching prospects, they're just not slam dunk/blue chip guys. I bet that changes with the draft. Which pitchers exhibit the best fastball command, and if they're available... Also while we're on the subject of lefties, I looked at the Brian Johnson profile, as a solid middle of the rotation lefty I wouldn't mind the G's picking him if he's there at 20.
Sub in Mejia for Galindo there. Getting my latin american prospects all jumbled.
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