Mitchell Kilkenny

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #99 prospect in 2018 draft
  Kilkenny has stood out as a junior because of his consistency. In his first 12 starts, he worked six or more innings nine times and made it out of fifth in all but one start. His 2.20 ERA was best in the Southeastern Conference (ahead of Casey Mize) as of early May. With three average pitches, Kilkenny has kept SEC hitters off balance all year by mixing a 91-93 mph fastball that can bump 95 mph when he reaches back, an improved, average slider that he can work to both righthanded and lefthanded hitters and an average changeup that he can locate with precision. Nothing about Kilkenny's stuff is truly exceptional, but he has a clean delivery, holds runners well and has such a well-rounded repertoire that he projects as a solid back-of-the-rotation starter thanks to his above-average control.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pioneer League #14 prospect in 2019
  Kilkenny was one of the top pitchers in the SEC during his junior year at Texas A&M, but his pro career was delayed by Tommy John surgery just after he signed with the Rockies in 2018. The most important achievement for Kilkenny this season was just getting back on the mound and showing that he had the same stuff that made him a Day 1 pick the year prior. All three of his pitches—fastball, slider, changeup—graded as average in college, but they play up because of how well he commands and locates them. "For just one year off Tommy John to have the command that he has—and his fastball down in the zone—is really impressive," Grand Junction manager Jake Opitz said. Kilkenny's sinking fastball sits 89-91 mph, touching 92 mph this year, and he may regain a few ticks of velocity the further removed he gets from surgery. He's got good size and projects as a durable mid- to back-of-the-rotation starter. He delivers all of his pitches with a consistent release point and above-average command.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Kilkenny was one of the top pitchers in the SEC during his junior year at Texas A&M, but his pro career was delayed by Tommy John surgery just after he signed with the Rockies in 2018. The most important achievement for Kilkenny this season was just getting back on the mound and showing that he had the same stuff that made him a Day 1 pick the year prior. All three of his pitches—fastball, slider, changeup—graded as average in college, but they play up because of how well he commands and locates them. "For just one year off Tommy John to have the command that he has—and his fastball down in the zone—is really impressive," Grand Junction manager Jake Opitz said. Kilkenny's sinking fastball sits 89-91 mph, touching 92 mph this year, and he may regain a few ticks of velocity the further removed he gets from surgery. He's got good size and projects as a durable mid- to back-of-the-rotation starter. He delivers all of his pitches with a consistent release point and above-average command.