Photo by Elon Athletics
As indicated by the headline, ESPN’s Keith Law has a new mock draft out and this one has the Mets taking Elon right-handed pitcher George Kirby. The Mets have been connected to a number of players in mocks including RHP Jackson Rutledge, LHP Zack Thompson, and LHP Nick Lodolo. A few of those names seem to have played their stock above the 12th spot, where the Mets will have their first round pick.
The Mets originally drafted Kirby in the 32nd round of the 2016 draft, out of Rye High School in Rye, New York, but Kirby decided to see his commitment to Elon University through. Kirby went 6-0 in his senior year at Rye with a 0.32 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 43.1 innings (15.24 K/9).
Back in January, Baseball America had Kirby ranked 38th in their top draft prospects list. Updated today, Baseball America now has Kirby 20th. MLB.com had Kirby one spot lower at 39, and has now bumped him up 18th.
Kirby is a four-pitch pitcher with a smooth, repeatable delivery, and very clean arm action. The 6′ 4″ 201-pound righty features a plus fastball that he locates well to both sides of the plate. Sitting about mid-90’s and touching 97, his fastball is his best offering, he does also throw a mix of curveballs, sliders, and change-ups. His change-up has been his most consistent secondary offering, and has solid downward bite. While his curve and slider have been considered a work in progress, there has been some noted improvement in his slider. Kirby credits Elon pitching coach Sean McGrath, who notably had his staff work Driveline Baseball workouts into their routine.
Video Courtesy of Keenan Lamb
This season has been one that has scouts thinking that Kirby could end up going earlier in the first round. Kirby won the CAA pitcher of the week award three times this season, and is on the radar as a candidate for the Golden Spikes award.
Kirby is 8-1 this season with 2.07 ERA. In 13 starts and 82.2 innings, Kirby has struck out 105 (11.43 K/9) and walked just six (0.65 BB/9). His 17.50 K-BB ratio is the best among all college baseball pitchers this season.
Some critics believe that Kirby will not get as many swings and misses among stronger competition, but Kirby did also fair well recently in the Cape Cod league. Kirby did serve as a reliever there, but also held a ridiculous 24-1 K-BB ratio there in just 13 innings alongside a 1.38 ERA. One thing is for certain, and that is that Kirby knows how to throw strikes.
If drafted in the first round, which seems to a certainty at this point, Kirby will be the highest drafted player to ever come out of Elon University.
