On Saturday, left-handed pitcher Michael Kennedy had the best outing of his pro career, allowing one run on two hits in five innings. The 19-year-old struck out eight, walking none.
The Pirates drafted Kennedy in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, and gave him a $1 million bonus to sign him away from LSU. In his pro debut last year, Kennedy put up a 2.12 ERA in 46.2 innings, striking out 63 and walking 25. He spent most of his time in the Florida Complex Leagues, but finished his year in Single-A.
This year, Kennedy has returned to Single-A, where he’s made three starts. He’s got a 4.50 ERA in 12 innings, with a 16:3 K/BB ratio. The starts have gotten progressively better each time out, finishing with his eight strikeout performance on Saturday. He’s also shown better control this year, compared to his debut.[ppp_patron_only level=”5″ silent=”no”]
In an era of the game where it seems everyone throws 95+ MPH, Kennedy sits below 90 MPH with his fastball. His highest average velocity came in his first start of the season, averaging 89.8. His hardest fastball this year was 92.2 MPH. The pitch features movement and deception. On Saturday, Kennedy showed that pitch is the key to his effectiveness.
Throwing the fastball 33 times, Kennedy got 20 swings and 10 whiffs on the pitch on Saturday. This followed eight whiffs on 41 swings (19.5%) the previous two starts. His results are much better when he’s fooling batters with that fastball.
The fastball leads the way, but Kennedy also throws a slider and a changeup. Both have received average or better grades. His slider didn’t get a lot of whiffs in the most recent outing, but he threw six for strikes, getting a 39% called and swinging strike rate with the pitch. In his previous two starts, he picked up six whiffs on 13 swings with the slider. He doesn’t get a lot of whiffs on the changeup, but can throw it for strikes.
At the time he was drafted, Kennedy received plus grades for his control, but fringe-average grades on the fastball. The high control grades have held up so far this year, as has the lower grade on the fastball. The 6′ 1″, 205 pound pitcher doesn’t have a lot of projection left on his frame, so it is unlikely he will add velocity. He’s going to need to continue getting results by throwing the pitch for strikes and relying on deception for swing and miss.
If Kennedy can improve the consistency of his fastball to the point where he gets average grades on the pitch, then he’ll have the profile of a future starter. As a lefty with three average or better pitches, and plus control, he’d emerge as a future MLB rotation option.
For now, Kennedy will spend his 2024 season in Single-A, hopefully showing more of the success he had in Saturday’s start.
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THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
This week’s premium article drop for Patreon subscribers looks at players in Single-A with the Bradenton Marauders. Like every other level, this group is highlighted by interesting pitchers. There are also some hitters to follow on the position player side, which I broke down in my premium column.
**Williams: Pirates Prospects Sleepers to Follow in Single-A
Michael Kennedy was an over-slot prep pick in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. The lefty is in his first full-season league in pro ball, and showed promise this past weekend with an eight strikeout performance.
**Michael Kennedy Shows Path to Big Leagues With Eight Strikeout Performance – READING
Khristian Curtis has a six pitch mix, despite not having a lot of time on the mound in his pitching career. The Pirates gave him an over-slot bonus as a 12th rounder last year, giving them the chance to develop his arsenal.
**Khristian Curtis Features Big Stuff From a Six Pitch Mix
Carlson Reed is showing promise in his early results with Bradenton. The West Virginia draftee has a 2.45 ERA in his first three starts this year, after being taken in the fourth round last year.
**West Virginia Pitcher Carlson Reed is Off to a Great Start With the Pirates
Relievers aren’t usually prospects in the lower levels, but Magdiel Cotto is a lefty who can get his fastball up to 95. The Pirates went over-slot on him in the 11th round last year, and he’s showing good results as a reliever in the 2024 season.
**Magdiel Cotto is an Over-Slot Lefty With a Fastball That Gets Up to 95
The Pirates traded for Connor Oliver at the start of the season, getting something in return for Colin Selby. This marks his sixth different organization since the start of 2020, with hopes that the Pirates can develop the lefty into an MLB option.
