Kevin Kleis

KEVIN KLEIS
RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: August 31, 1991
Height: 6′ 8″
Weight: 225
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 27th Round, 807th Overall, 2010
How Acquired: Draft
College: Grossmont College
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

I have to think the attraction with Kleis was his size.  The Pirates are probably hoping he’ll eventually throw harder than he does now.  In training camp in March 2011, he was throwing 86-87 one day and around 90 a short time later.  He had a year of JC eligibility left, but somewhat surprisingly the Pirates signed him in early July.

2010
R:  0-1-0, 2.78 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 22.2 IP, 2.0 BB/9, 6.0 K/9 

Posted a good ERA in the GCL, but with weak peripheral numbers aside from a low walk rate.  His K rate was low and he had more hits allowed than innings pitched.

2011
A-:  1-1-0, 4.26 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 31.2 IP, 4.0 BB/9, 4.3 K/9 

Pitching out of the State College bullpen, Kleis had less success.  Opponents hit .288 against him and he fanned barely more than he walked.  He did get much better results from the beginning of August on, with an ERA of 1.80, but he fanned only three in 15 innings in that time.

2012
R:  0-0-0, 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 4.2 IP, 1.9 BB/9, 1.9 K/9
A-:  1-0-0, 3.65 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 12.1 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 7.3 K/9

Kleis opened the season in extended spring training and wasn’t ready to pitch until mid-July.  After a few games in the GCL he moved up to State College, where he pitched decently.  His velocity improved to the 91-94 range.

2013
A-:  1-1-2, 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 14.1 IP, 1.9 BB/9, 5.0 K/9

Kleis opened in the Jamestown bullpen.  He went on the disabled list in mid-July, missed over a month, came back for two games and went on the DL again.  He pitched reasonably well in the limited chances he had, except for a low K rate.

Kleis’ career so far has been a battle to stay on the mound.  After four years, he still hasn’t thrown 90 total innings.  It’s not possible to judge his progress yet due to the lack of playing time.  Hopefully, he’ll stay healthy next year and get a chance at West Virginia.

STATS
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com

NJCAA
W-L-Sv
G
GS
IP
H
HR
BB
K
BB/9
K/9
WHIP
OAVG
ERA
2010
1-2-3
15
0
16.1
19
2
7
13
3.9
7.2
1.59
.268
5.51
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2014: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2010
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2016
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2014
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 8, 2010:  Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 27th round, 807th overall pick; signed on July 6.