IP 109
ERA 5.284
WHIP 1.495
BB/9 4.624
SO/9 8.587
  • Full name Michael Scott Kirkman
  • Born 09/18/1986 in Lake City, FL
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
  • School Columbia
  • Debut 08/21/2010
  • Drafted in the 5th round (159th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2005 (signed for $163,000).
    View Draft Report
    In a spring of players either stagnating or going backward in Florida, Kirkman was a breath of fresh air for scouts, getting better and getter with each outing. A lanky, projectable lefthander, Kirkman shot up draft boards and passed several pitchers to be considered the third-best hurler in Florida's prep ranks, after Chris Volstad and Tyler Herron of Palm Beach County. Kirkman has arm strength and arm speed, helping him generate a fastball that sits in the 88-92 mph range and an average slider. Both pitches have natural run and sink, and he competes well--all traits scouts consider hard to teach. He's also gotten bigger and stronger while staying coordinated, helping him increase the velocity on his fastball from the low 80s as a sophomore to his present velocity, and scouts believe he has more to come. Kirkman was at the East Coast Showcase last summer and also was invited to pitch for an all-star travel team put together by scouts that played in Australia last winter, so he's not coming out of nowhere. His junior-college commitment doesn't mean he'll be a cheap sign. In a lean year in Florida, though, he was seen repeatedly and figures to be drafted in the first three rounds.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Slider in the Texas Rangers in 2011
  • Rated Best Breaking Pitch in the Pacific Coast League in 2010

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