Kyle Kubitza

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #16 prospect in 2016
  The highest-drafted player in Texas State program history, Kubitza was acquired from Atlanta last offseason for young southpaw Ricardo Sanchez in the hopes that he could help the big league club fill a void at third base. He instead spent most of the year with Triple-A Salt Lake, getting just a couple of brief stints with the Angels. Kubitza, brother of Austin, a pitcher in the Tigers system, was coming off a strong Double-A season with the Braves, but scouts no longer view him as a real impact player or as a potential big league regular. He led the Pacific Coast League in doubles with 43, but his line-drive swing, which tended to get long and loopy last year, doesn't allow him to get to his raw power in games. He has consistently put up high strikeout totals, fanning in 24 percent of at-bats with Salt Lake. The strikeouts come in part because he takes pitches and gets into deep counts, resulting in a fair number of walks. He has soft hands, works hard on defense and has a plus arm, but he makes a lot of errors, failing to consistently make the routine play, and scouts project him as no more than a fringy defender. Kubitza didn't respond well to his first crack at the big leagues, but he'll be back in spring training vying for playing time. He more likely winds up back in Triple-A for another year.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #10 prospect in 2015
  Few players have developed more impressively over the last few years in the organization than Kubitza, whose brother Aaron pitches in the Tigers system. The highest-drafted position player in Texas State history blossomed in his third full pro season in 2014 at Double-A Mississippi. In addition to hitting 35 points above his career average, he led the Southern League in on-base percentage (.405) and walks (55), placed second in triples (11) and ranked fourth in runs (76). A fiery player, Kubitza combines a smooth linedrive swing from the left side with one of the best eyes at the plate in the organization. His power has increased with experience and he uses his quick wrists to drive the ball in the gaps. He can be exploited with a minor hitch in his swing, and he can be too patient with inconsistent umpires, leading to high strikeout totals. Though not a quick-twitch athlete, Kubitza runs well with excellent instincts on the basepaths. He has one of the strongest infield arms in the game, with soft hands that suit him at third base. He moves well to his left but tends to boot the occasional routine ball. Kubitza should open the 2015 season at Triple-A Gwinnett. Scouts are mixed on whether he will be an everyday third baseman or more of a bench bat, but he could get his first shot in Atlanta by the end of the year.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #22 prospect in 2014
  Kubitza improved his consistency at high Class A Lynchburg in 2013, just as the Braves envisioned he would in his second full season, and he wound up earning a trip to the Arizona Fall League. His batting average climbed by more than 20 points over his 2012 showing at low Class Rome, and Kubitza continued to display one of the best batting eyes in the organization. At times he can be too patient, causing him to fall behind in the count and be subject to the varying strike zones of minor league umpires. He struck out in a quarter of his plate appearances in 2013, yet also walked 80 times, leading to a system-best .380 on-base percentage. Kubitza has a sweet swing from the left side, though it tends to get long. His hands work well, he sprays line drives to the gaps, and his power is continuing to increase as he gains experience, resulting in 46 extra-base hits in 2013. At third base, he has soft hands, adequate range and plus-plus arm strength, which runs in the family--his brother Austin pitched at Rice and now is in the Tigers system. While he made numerous spectacular plays in 2013, many of his 25 errors came on routine plays, so he needs to improve the consistency of his footwork. A fiery player who is driven to succeed, Kubitza is making steady progress and will advance to Double-A Mississippi in 2014.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #25 prospect in 2013
  Kubitza got off to a strong start last year, his first full pro season after becoming the highest-drafted (third round) position player in Texas State history in 2011, but he tailed off and batted just .229/.327/.335 in the second half. He has patience and manages the strike zone well, though he pressed at times last season and struck out 127 times. He has a smooth swing, his hands work well and he sees the ball well against southpaws, against whom he batted .302 in 2012. He's prone to tinker with his stance, but the Braves believe he'll settle down as he gains experience. Though primarily a line-drive hitter, Kubitza has solid raw power and could hit 20 homers if he adds some loft to his stroke and pulls more pitches. He's a good defender at the hot corner, with decent quickness and soft hands along with above-average arm strength. He also runs well for his size. He'll strive for more consistency when he advances to high Class A this year.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #17 prospect in 2012
  The highest-drafted position player and third-highest overall pick in Texas State history, Kubitza went in the third round last June and signed for $261,000. He left school as the Bobcats' career leader in walks (125) while ranking second all-time in homers (27), and his patience and power were evident in his pro debut. Kubitza understands the strike zone and uses that knowledge to get in hitter's counts. He possesses a line-drive stroke and drives balls to the alleys, and he could have average or better home run power once he adds some loft to his swing and turns on more pitches. He tends to tinker with his stance, but club officials believe he'll settle down as his comfort level increases. Kubitza runs well for his size and has good instincts on the bases. With soft hands, solid arm strength and good footwork, he has the tools to get the job done at third base but lacks consistency. He should start 2012 in low Class A and could finish the year in high Class A.