Kirby came out of Elon University as a strike-throwing machine, a command-over-stuff type who walked only 1.9 batters per nine innings over three years.
He was the second of three straight college right-handers picked in the first round by the Mariners.
Kirby still fills up the strike zone after a brief debut in 2019, time at the Mariners’ alternate training camp in 2020, and a full-season debut in 2021 that saw him reach Double-A, but his prospect stock has surged thanks to his stuff improving drastically since signing.
Kirby attracts evaluators of all types because of the high quality of his work and the ease with which he produces it, blowing out all internal measures in terms of velocity, movement, command, swing and miss, and lack of hard contact.
He can now hit 100 mph with his fastball, transforming it from a low-90s heater to a 96-98 mph regular. He throws two different breaking pitches, both of which are plus at times, and a strong changeup.
Kirby’s ability to drop the ball on a dime hasn’t been hampered by his velocity gains, as the right-hander walked only 2.0 batters per nine innings in 2021.
Only his lack of experience is holding him back, and he did miss some time due to shoulder strain, but he’s looking more and more like a frontline starter.
George Kirby Contract
The Seattle Mariners signed George Kirby to a one-year, $700,000 contract, with $700,000 guaranteed.
George Kirby Salary
George Kirby is paid an average of $700,000 each year. Ray will be paid a base salary of $700,000 in 2022.
George Kirby Net Worth
George Kirby has a net worth estimation of $500,000.