| IP | 63.2 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.68 |
| WHIP | 1.34 |
| BB/9 | 3.39 |
| SO/9 | 8.48 |
- Full name Kyle Edward Finnegan
- Born 09/04/1991 in Detroit, MI
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Texas State
- Debut 07/25/2020
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Drafted in the 6th round (191st overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2013 (signed for $200,000).
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Finnegan has some of the best arm strength in Texas, though that wasn't enough to keep him in the Texas State rotation. He struck out a combined 20 batters in his first two starts against Missouri State and Houston, then had just 28 in his next nine before moving into a relief role. Finnegan has an athletic 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame and a loose, quick arm, which combine to give him a 90-97 mph fastball. He has trouble harnessing his heater, however, and still hasn't mastered a reliable second pitch. He throws a slurvy breaking ball at 78-80 mph and doesn't have much of a changeup. There's effort in his delivery, too, and he'll probably become a full-time reliever in pro ball.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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While his younger brother Brandon rocketed from Texas Christian to the Royals' playoff bullpen in a span of a few months, Kyle put up a good albeit not great first full season in the Athletics system. His fastball topped out at 94 mph early in the season, but he was pitching at 87-90 by the end. The Athletics have worked with him to shorten his stride since he came into pro ball, and he started to deliver the ball out front better during instructional league, which helped him recover some velocity. Finnegan barely used his changeup in college but it has improved to the point where it has overtaken his curveball as his best secondary pitch. His changeup has nice, late sinking action and he'll use it in any count, while he struggles to maintain the consistency of his downer curve. Finnegan pitches aggressively to both sides of the plate, but his low strikeout totals are a concern. Finnegan will move up to high Class A Stockton for 2015. -
Finnegan's arm strength made him a prominent attraction for scouts heading into 2013, but he struggled to find consistent success and even lost his place in Texas State's weekend rotation, finishing the college season 5-3, 4.66. Getting Finnegan into pro ball after signing him for $200,000 in the sixth round, the Athletics turned him around quickly, and he posted a strong summer at short-season Vermont. He took too long a stride in his delivery, which made it hard for him to finish and hurt his command, so Oakland shortened him up and he started throwing more strikes. His fastball remains his best pitch, showing late run to go with 92-93 mph velocity, and he can top out at 97. The A's continued the overhaul by turning his slurvy breaking ball into more of a true curveball with downward movement. It's a solid-average breaking ball now and shows plus at times. Finnegan hardly threw his changeup in college, but the A's had him focus on it as well and it's become a useable weapon. His athleticism and body type draw comparisons with Tim Hudson. The A's were excited about how he embraced the concepts they were teaching him, and he'll open 2014 at low Class A Beloit but could move up quickly if he performs.
Draft Prospects
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Finnegan has some of the best arm strength in Texas, though that wasn't enough to keep him in the Texas State rotation. He struck out a combined 20 batters in his first two starts against Missouri State and Houston, then had just 28 in his next nine before moving into a relief role. Finnegan has an athletic 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame and a loose, quick arm, which combine to give him a 90-97 mph fastball. He has trouble harnessing his heater, however, and still hasn't mastered a reliable second pitch. He throws a slurvy breaking ball at 78-80 mph and doesn't have much of a changeup. There's effort in his delivery, too, and he'll probably become a full-time reliever in pro ball.
