2015 Draft Profile - LHP - Nathan Kirby - University of Virginia - UPDATED 9-30-14

9-30-14 - 9-30-14 – Through The Fence - 8. Chicago White Sox — Nathan Kirby, LHP, Virginia - Kirby was brilliant for the Cavaliers all year but struggled a bit down the stretch. He logged a lot of innings over the year and was facing some quality bats in the College World Series. On April 8, he tossed what most consider the best game of the season, striking out 18 to one walk in a no-hitter against Pittsburgh. Over 18 starts, he had a 2.06 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 112 K/33 BB over 113.1 innings, holding opponents to a .175 BAA. The 6’-3”, 190 pound southpaw has a plus curveball, a fastball that sits in the low/mid 90s with late life and movement, as well as a change-up that is rapidly getting better. He has great command of his stuff and has some of the best swing-and-miss stuff in the 2015 MLB draft. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2015-mlb-draft-mock-1-0/44039#46FUm3YdfAufQr1H.99

9-11-14 – Fangraphs Top 50 Players in Draft - 21. Nate Kirby, LHP, Virginia: Kirby didn’t pitch much this summer but didn’t need to after a huge sophomore campaign put him in first round contention; at his best, Kirby sits 92-94 mph with an above average breaking ball and feel to pitch. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2015-mlb-draft-top-51/

7-9-14 - B/R - 5. Houston Astros Select Virginia LHP Nathan Kirby - This is an instance where you want to bet on the upside left in a college starter. Nathan Kirby is the Friday starter (No. 1) for a loaded Virginia team and dominated to the tune of 102 strikeouts, 58 hits allowed and a 1.36 ERA in 99.1 innings this year. What makes Kirby all the more intriguing for the 2015 draft is that he's a 6'2", 185-pound left-hander with a fastball that plays better than its average velocity thanks to arm-side run due to a three-quarters arm angle. He also flashes an above-average curveball and solid changeup. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2085268-mlb-mock-draft-2015-brs-official-early-predictions-for-next-years-top-10/page/2

6-30-14 – Through The Fence – Early College Prospects - 1. Michael Matuella, RHP, Duke            - Matuella burst onto the scene earlier this year, thanks in part to Frankie Piliere at Perfect Game, who tweeted out that Matuella was a potential 1.1 for next year. The 6’-6”, 225 pound right-hander proceeded to make Piliere look like a genius as he showed everything you want in a first-overall pick. Obviously, he has the ideal size you want in an ace. He also showed the stuff, headlined by fastball that can touch 97 mph and sits 93-96. He adds two potential plus off-speed pitches in a 79-82 mph, 12-6 curveball with great depth and an 83-86 mph slider with tight spin. His change-up sits 87-89 and is a decent offering already. He has great command of his pitches and finished the season with a 2.78 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 69 K/15 BB over 58.1 innings. Opponents hit just .190 against him, he allowed just one home run and only hit two batters — pretty good for a power arm like his. All eyes will be on him next year and the upside is silly. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2015-mlb-draft-early-30-college-prospects/43327  

6-23-14 - 

        


6-6-14 -  There have been two versions of Nathan Kirby in the past two seasons — the one who labored through his freshman year, and the one who has embarrassed opposing hitters all season as a sophomore.

Last June, the idea that Kirby could be starting Game One of a best-of-three NCAA tournament super regional for Virginia (47-13) might've seemed far-fetched. There was no question he had the talent last year, but the confidence wasn't there... http://articles.dailypress.com/2014-06-06/sports/dp-spt-advance-maryland-uva-ncaa-baseball-0607-20140606_1_u-va-nathan-kirby-maryland 

6-3-14 - Mack:  We're now talking about the probable first left handed pitcher that will be drafted and possibly the first player overall in the entire draft. Virginia's 6-3, 190 pound Nathan Kirby comes with all the accolades one is given when you are known as a 'power pitcher'. 

His college career actually got off to a slow start (6.06-ERA as a freshman) but he quickly followed that in the NECBL with an 81-K/54-IP, 2.32 summer season.

He features a 91-94 fastball that is well know for its late movement. His curve ball sets up the heat. He's well known for his command which was especially demonstrated on April 8th when he struck out 18 Pitt Panthers (one shy of the NCAA record), on the way to a no-hitter.