Mike Kickham

Michael Joseph Kickham (born December 12, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Lexington Counter Clocks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 220 pounds (100 kg), he throws and bats left-handed.

Mike Kickham
Kickham with the San Francisco Giants
Lexington Counter Clocks
Pitcher
Born: (1988-12-12) December 12, 1988
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 28, 2013, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record1–4
Earned run average10.10
Strikeouts49
Teams

Amateur career

Kickham attended Glendale High School in Springfield, Missouri, and played for the school's baseball team. His senior season as a Falcon, he posted a 1.16 ERA with 65 strikeouts. He also hit for a .390 batting average as an outfielder. Kickham earned all-conference status at both positions.[1]

Kickham spent 2009 at Crowder College, where he went 3–3 with a 5.62 ERA. He struck out 47 batters in 41 innings.[2] After Crowder, Kickham transferred to Missouri State University, where he was enrolled in premedical studies and studied biology. For the Missouri State Bears baseball team, Kickham had a 4–9 record with a 5.25 ERA and 103 strikeouts, in 96 innings spanning 15 games.[3]

Professional career

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants selected Kickham in the sixth round of the 2010 MLB draft.[4] After spending 2010 with the rookie league squad, he spent 2011 with the Augusta Greenjackets. In 2012, he was promoted to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, where he posted an 11–10 record and a 3.05 earned run average (ERA) in 28 games.

After two months with the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, the Giants promoted Kickham to the majors on May 26, 2013.[5] Kickham made his debut in a start against the Oakland Athletics, pitching 2+1⁄3 innings while allowing four runs on four hits and four walks; the Giants failed to come back, and Kickham suffered the loss.[6] With the Giants in 2013, Kickham made a total of 12 appearances (three starts), accruing an 0–3 record with 10.16 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 28+1⁄3 innings pitched.[7] In 2014, Kickham appeared in two games for the Giants, both in relief, allowing five runs in two innings pitched for a 22.50 ERA.[7] Overall, Kickham registered a 10.98 ERA for the Giants in a total of 14 appearances spanning 30+1⁄3 innings pitched.[7]

Chicago Cubs

On December 23, 2014, Kickham was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.[8] The Cubs then designated him for assignment on January 9.[9]

Seattle Mariners

He was then traded to the Seattle Mariners on January 14, 2015, for minor league pitcher Lars Huijer.[10] He was designated for assignment by the Mariners on May 4, 2015, when they re-added left-handed reliever Joe Beimel to the active roster.[11]

Texas Rangers

Kickham was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on May 5, 2015.[12] Kickham was released on June 11.[13]

Bridgeport Bluefish

Kickham signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on July 24, 2015. He was released on July 28, 2015, without making an appearance.

San Francisco Giants (second stint)

Kickham signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants in January 2016.[14] He was released on May 30, 2016.[15]

Kansas City T-Bones

Kickham signed with the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball on June 26, 2016.

Miami Marlins

On February 9, 2017, Kickham's contract was sold to the Miami Marlins organization.[16] In 27 games (25 starts) split between the Triple–A New Orleans Baby Cakes and Double–A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, he posted a cumulative 8–10 record and 3.65 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 145+2⁄3 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[17]

On January 13, 2018, Kickham re-signed with Miami on a minor league contract. In 20 games split between New Orleans, Jacksonville, and the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Marlins, he accumulated a 3.64 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 42.0 innings of work. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.

On November 16, 2018, Kickham again re-signed with Miami to a new minor league contract, and was invited to spring training.[18] He appeared in 31 contests (13 starts) for New Orleans, registering a 5–5 record and 4.27 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 86+1⁄3 innings pitched. Kickham elected free agency after the year on November 4, 2019.[19]

Boston Red Sox

On December 20, 2019, the Boston Red Sox signed Kickham to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training.[20] His contract was selected on August 31, 2020.[21] He made his first appearance with the Red Sox on September 2, against the Atlanta Braves.[22] Kickham recorded his first MLB win on September 5, when he pitched two innings of scoreless relief and the Red Sox came back to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays with two ninth-inning runs.[23] Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Kickham appeared in five games (two starts), compiling a 1–1 record with 8.31 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched.[7] On October 26, Kickham was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.[24]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On January 8, 2021, the Los Angeles Dodgers organization signed Kickham to a minor league contract.[25] On May 2, 2021, Kickham was selected to the 40-man roster and added to the Dodgers’ active roster.[26] He pitched two innings for the Dodgers that night against the Milwaukee Brewers and allowed three runs on five hits. He was designated for assignment the following day.[27] On May 5, Kickham was outrighted to Triple-A.[28] He spent the rest of the season with the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he had a 6.51 ERA in 20 appearances.[29] Kickham elected free agency on October 14.[30]

Mariachis de Guadalajara

On February 15, 2022, Kickham signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.[31] However, he was released on April 15, prior to the start of the LMB season.[25] On April 27, Kickham signed with the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League.[25] He made two appearances, giving up 5 earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched. Kickham was released on May 2.[25]

Florence Y'alls

On March 13, 2023, Kickham signed with the Florence Y'alls of the Frontier League.[32] In 7 starts for Florence, he struggled to a 9.12 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 25+2⁄3 innings of work. On June 20, Kickham was released by the Y'alls.[33]

Lexington Counter Clocks

On June 25, 2023, Kickham signed with the Lexington Counter Clocks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[34]

Scouting report

Kickham throws four pitches: a fastball at 91–95 miles per hour (146–153 km/h), a slider, a changeup, and an occasional curveball.[35]

References
  1. "Mike Kickham Bio". Missouri State University. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  2. "Mike Kickham". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  3. Eymer, Rick (May 27, 2013). "Quiroz provides positive review on Kickham". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  4. "Mike Kickham Signs Professional Contract With San Francisco". Missouri State University. August 10, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  5. Pavlovic, Alex (May 26, 2013). "Mike Kickham chosen to fill in for veteran who helped him in the spring". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  6. Eymer, Rick (May 29, 2013). "Giants fall to A's in Kickham's brief debut". MLB.com. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  7. "Mike Kickham Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  8. "Cubs claim LHP Mike Kickham off waivers". ESPN.com. December 23, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  9. "OF Chris Denorfia completes $2.6M deal 1-year deal with Cubs". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  10. "Seattle acquires LHP Kickham from Cubs for minor leaguer". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  11. Johns, Greg (May 4, 2015). "Shortstop Taylor called up as Mariners tweak roster". MLB.com. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  12. "Rangers claim Kickham off waivers, move Rua to 60-day DL". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  13. "Other Rangers news: Team releases Michael Kickham; A draft pick served a one-year suspension at Vanderbilt". Dallas Morning News. June 11, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  14. Eddy, Matt (January 18, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Jan. 8-14". Baseball America. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  15. Polishuk, Mark (May 30, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 5/30/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  16. "2017 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
  17. "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  18. Eddy, Matt (November 22, 2018). "Minor League Transactions: Nov 6 - Nov 21". Baseball America. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  19. Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  20. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. December 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  21. "Red Sox Roster & Staff - Transactions". MLB.com. August 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  22. "Braves vs. Red Sox". ESPN.com. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  23. "Blue Jays vs. Red Sox". ESPN.com. September 5, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  24. Byrne, Connor (October 26, 2020). "Red Sox Outright 5 Players". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  25. "Mike Kickham". milb.com. January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  26. Harris, Blake (May 2, 2021). "Dodgers place Dustin May on 10-day IL, Corey Knebel on 60-day IL". SB Nation. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  27. Polishuk, Mark (May 3, 2021). "Dodgers Claim Phil Bickford, Designate Mike Kickham". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  28. "Major League Baseball Transactions".
  29. "Mike Kickham Minor, Independent & Winter League Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  30. "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  31. "Unión Laguna se refuerza con otro ex ligamayorista". unionlaguna.mx (in Spanish). 15 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  32. https://frontierleague.com/information/Transactions/index
  33. https://frontierleague.com/information/Transactions/index
  34. https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/
  35. Mike Kickham | Baseball News Hound
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