Brian Kirwan
| IP | 156 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.135 |
| WHIP | 1.551 |
| BB/9 | 3.519 |
| SO/9 | 5.769 |
- Full name Brian Michael Kirwan
- Born 06/09/1987 in San Diego, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 218 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Santa Fe
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Drafted in the 11th round (345th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2005 (signed for $500,000).
View Draft Report
RHP Brian Kirwan had high hopes of being an early-round pick after flashing above-average velocity at last summer's Area Code Games. But he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last November playing quarterback for his high school football team and didn't take the mound again until late April. He was brought along slowly, but his velocity was back in the low to mid-90s by mid-May. The 6-foot-4 Kirwan looked like a good bet to end up at UCLA, but his late surge may cause a team to take a flier on him, monitor his rehabilitation over the summer and make a run at signing him before classes start in the fall.
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Minor League Top Prospects
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Kirwan had a chance to go in the first two rounds of the 2005 draft until he tore the anterior-cruciate ligament in his right knee as a high school quarterback. Sold on his athleticism, the Twins nabbed him in the 11th round and signed him for $500,000 just before he was set to attend classes at UCLA. He has a sturdy 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame and a fluid delivery, but Kirwan seemed to tire down the stretch, probably because of the long layoff. He pitched at 87-89 mph and occasionally reached the low 90s, and he should add velocity as he fills out. He can move his curveball around the strike zone but will need to get his changeup over more frequently against advanced hitters. Kirwan hasn't quite recovered the command he showed before his knee injury, and he'll be less hittable once he starts locating his pitches better. He tied for the Appy lead by giving up nine homers.
