Kyle McPherson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #7 prospect in 2013
  McPherson was primarily a shortstop at Mobile (Ala.), an NAIA program, and compiled a 6.02 ERA primarily mopping up in blowouts. Pirates scout Darren Mazeroski, the son of Hall of Fame second baseman Bill, glimpsed big league mound potential in McPherson and signed him for $30,000. Mazeroski was proven right when Pittsburgh called McPherson up last August, and he shut out the Reds for six innings in his final start. McPherson doesn't have overwhelming stuff, though he's not a soft-tosser either. His fastball sits at 90-92 mph and can reach 95 on occasion. He can locate his fastball wherever he wants and commands all of his pitches. His best offering might be his changeup, which he throws with deceptive arm speed. His curveball is average at times, though he must guard against flattening it out by overthrowing. McPherson isn't afraid to pitch inside and likes to use his changeup when behind in the count to disrupt hitters' timing. Though he spent the first 10 weeks of last season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, he otherwise has been durable through six pro seasons. While he has the stuff of a No. 4 starter, McPherson's moxie gives him a chance to play up to a No. 3 who can eat innings. He'll get an opportunity to win a spot in Pittsburgh's rotation this spring.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #6 prospect in 2012
  McPherson has come a long way since going 1-7, 6.02 in 2007 at Mobile (Ala.), an NAIA program where he primarily played the infield before getting drafted in the 14th round that June. He pitched his way onto the 40-man roster after the 2010 season and won the Pirates' minor league pitcher of the year award in 2011, when he ranked first in the system in strikeouts (142) and second in wins (12) and ERA (2.96). McPherson knows how to pitch, racking up strikeouts by changing speeds and commanding his entire repertoire. He has gotten stronger since coming into pro ball and his fastball now sits in the low 90s and reaches 95 mph. He can spot it to all four quadrants of the strike zone. McPherson has very good arm action on his changeup that allows him to get a number of swings and misses. He also has a 10-to-4 curveball that has its moments, but he tends to overthrow it, which causes it to flatten out. He has a clean delivery that he repeats easily, allowing him to pinpoint his pitches. McPherson handled the jump to Double-A easily in 2011 and could break camp with Indianapolis in 2012. Projected as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, he may reach Pittsburgh by the end of the season.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Eastern League #20 prospect in 2011
  McPherson had pitched just two games above low Class A before 2011, when he went a combined 12-6, 2.96 between high Class A Bradenton and Altoona. He held his velocity deep into the season and showed No. 3 starter stuff--if not better. McPherson's fastball sits in the low 90s and peaks at 95 mph. His curveball isn't a true downer with 10-to-4 shape, but it's a plus pitch with late break and power. His changeup gives him a third pitch that's at least average, and some scouts rate it as a plus offering. He repeats his clean delivery, which helps explain his solid control. "His fastball command was shaky late when I saw him, but it was really good early," the second AL scout said. "He got after it on his sidework, too. He looks like a middle-of-the-rotation innings-eater."

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: McPherson was primarily a shortstop at Mobile (Ala.), an NAIA program, and compiled a 6.02 ERA primarily mopping up in blowouts. Pirates scout Darren Mazeroski, the son of Hall of Fame second baseman Bill, glimpsed big league mound potential in McPherson and signed him for $30,000. Pittsburgh called McPherson up last August. Scouting Report: McPherson doesn't have overwhelming stuff, though he's not a soft-tosser either. His fastball sits at 90-92 mph and can reach 95 on occasion. He can locate his fastball wherever he wants and commands all of his pitches. His best offering might be his changeup, which he throws with deceptive arm speed. His curveball is average at times, though he must guard against flattening it out by overthrowing. McPherson isn't afraid to pitch inside and likes to use his changeup when behind in the count to disrupt hitters' time. Though he spent the first 10 weeks last season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, he otherwise has been durable through six pro seasons. The Future: McPherson's moxie gives him a chance to play up to a No. 3 starter who can eat innings. He'll get an opportunity to win a spot in Pittsburgh's rotation this spring.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: McPherson has come a long way since going 1-7, 6.02 in 2007 at Mobile (Ala.), an NAIA program where he primarily played the infield before getting drafted in the 14th round that June. He pitched his way onto the 40-man roster after the 2010 season and won the Pirates' minor league pitcher of the year award in 2011, when he ranked first in the system in strikeouts (142) and second in wins (12) and ERA (2.96). Scouting Report: McPherson knows how to pitch, racking up strikeouts by changing speeds and commanding his entire repertoire. He has gotten stronger since coming into pro ball and his fastball now sits in the low 90s and reaches 95 mph. He can spot it to all four quadrants of the strike zone. McPherson has very good arm action on his changeup that allows him to get a number of swings and misses. He also has a 10-to-4 curveball that has its moments, but he tends to overthrow it, which causes it to flatten out. He has a clean delivery that he repeats easily, allowing him to pinpoint his pitches. The Future: McPherson handled the jump to Double-A easily in 2011 and could break camp with Indianapolis in 2012. Projected as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, he may reach Pittsburgh by the end of the season.