Michael Kirian Stats & Scouting Report

IP	30
ERA	7.5
WHIP	1.533
BB/9	3
SO/9	8.1

Full name Michael Eugene Kirian
Born 02/01/1999 in Findlay, OH
Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 260 / Bats: R / Throws: L
School Louisville
Drafted in the 6th round (173rd overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2021 (signed for $200,000).

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Louisille had two pitchers drafted in the first round in 2020—lefthander Reid Detmers and righthander Bobby Miller—and so Kirian went from the bullpen role he had pitched in his first three seasons to a starting role this spring. It wasn’t an easy transition, as Kirian pitched to a 4.80 ERA over 69.1 innings, striking out 75 batters (9.7 K/9) and walking 28 (3.6 BB/9) while giving up about a hit per inning. That strikeout rate seems solid with no context, but it was actually the lowest rate of his collegiate career, which will make plenty of scouts think he’s still better suited to a bullpen role at the next level. Kirian has an extra-large frame at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds and a fastball that has been up to 96 mph, though he sits in the 90-92 mph range. He throws a slurvy breaking ball in the 78-82 mph range that he can land for a strike consistently, but scouts wonder how much of a true bat-missing pitch it is. After being mostly a fastball/breaking ball pitcher a year ago, Kirian has thrown a low-80s changeup sparingly this spring, but he has less feel for it than his two primary offerings. While Kirian’s stuff isn’t overwhelming on paper, he does have some deception in his delivery, and he hides the ball well.

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Draft Prospects

Louisille had two pitchers drafted in the first round in 2020—lefthander Reid Detmers and righthander Bobby Miller—and so Kirian went from the bullpen role he had pitched in his first three seasons to a starting role this spring. It wasn’t an easy transition, as Kirian pitched to a 4.80 ERA over 69.1 innings, striking out 75 batters (9.7 K/9) and walking 28 (3.6 BB/9) while giving up about a hit per inning. That strikeout rate seems solid with no context, but it was actually the lowest rate of his collegiate career, which will make plenty of scouts think he’s still better suited to a bullpen role at the next level. Kirian has an extra-large frame at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds and a fastball that has been up to 96 mph, though he sits in the 90-92 mph range. He throws a slurvy breaking ball in the 78-82 mph range that he can land for a strike consistently, but scouts wonder how much of a true bat-missing pitch it is. After being mostly a fastball/breaking ball pitcher a year ago, Kirian has thrown a low-80s changeup sparingly this spring, but he has less feel for it than his two primary offerings. While Kirian’s stuff isn’t overwhelming on paper, he does have some deception in his delivery, and he hides the ball well.
Because he works as a reliever, Kirian’s 2020 season was the briefest of glimpses into what he can do. He only threw 6.1 innings over six appearances, but all six outings were outstanding. Louisville’s closer went six for six on save opportunities, allowing only three baserunners and retiring 19 of the 22 batters he faced. Kirian is a massive (6-foot-6, 235 pounds) lefty who throws strikes and seems to keep batters from ever getting comfortable against him. Kirian was also a basketball player in high school. His development at that time was slowed a little by a knee injury. At Louisville, he’s upped his fastball from 86-89 mph to sitting 90-93 and touching 95. Kirian has some deception to his delivery as he throws across his body and hides the ball, especially against lefthanded hitters. His average slurve has solid depth. Kirian’s stuff doesn’t really stand out when compared to the average pro reliever, but his track record at Louisville is excellent and he is a better strike thrower than most lefty relievers.
A big and physical lefthander, Kirian missed his junior season recovering from ACL surgery after he injured his knee on a dunk on the basketball court. But back on the mound this spring, Kirian simply overwhelmed opposing hitters as expected. With a clean arm action, an 87-90 mph fastball that touches 94 on a good day and a breaking ball and changeup that need work but project as future average offerings, Kirian has the makings of a future middle-of-the-rotation starter. But there's some projection remaining as Kirian needs to get stronger and in better shape. Scouts expect him to develop into weekend starter at Louisville, and he could be a higher draft pick out of college.