North Shore Nine

Welcome to the weekly Scouting Prospects; The Top 30 series. Each week we will take a look at a different one of the Pirates Top 30 prospects, with a few bonus “double drop” weeks. The format of these articles will highlight and discuss the following.

• Scouting Score
• Performance
• Expectations
• Projected Debut
  
  When it comes to scouting grades, the scale used is 20-80. So, a 20-30 grade would be considered well below average. A 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average (Also called Plus) and 70-80 is well above average (or Plus Plus). For prospects the overall grade is where scouts expect the player to perform once in the majors. For example, a 65 grade would be an All-Star caliber standout player, whereas a 50 would be an everyday player and a 40 would be a bench player.

Michael Kennedy:

Michael Kennedy was selected in the 4th round,110th overall, in the 2022 draft. He was the 3rd pitcher the Pirates took following Thomas Harrington and Hunter Barco. He signed an over slot deal to decommit from LSU and join the Pirates. He continues to climb the Pirates top prospect rankings, currently slotting at 13th overall.

Kennedy is graded with an average fastball, a slightly above average slider, an average changeup and above average control. He stands at 6’1″ and his fastball only get to the low 90’s for velocity. Though scouts do note the pitch has a lot of life to it and when coupled with his delivery method it can be a bit deceptive. His slider is rated as his best pitch and is devastating against lefty hitters. His change up is also better with the deceptiveness in how he pitches, he has also been known to throw a 2-seam fastball. Still only 19 years old and at Bradenton there is a lot to like in Kennedy.

Kennedy started the seam pitching quiet well. At the end of April he had pitched 17 innings, he had struck out 22 and walked 3 to the tune of a 3.71 ERA. In May he pitched similarly, throwing 23 innings striking out 25 and walking 2, with a 3.91 ERA. However, his pitching took a turn in June. In those three starts he have up 11 earned runs in 13.2 innings while walking 6 and striking out only 13. On June 16th he was sent to the IL for an undisclosed injury and has yet to return. It is possible the injury was what lead to the suddenly poor starts he suffered in early June.

As far as projection and promotions go a lot will hinge on the injury he suffered. If it is serious, it could set timing back months to years. If it isn’t bad and he can get back to the mound this year, then it will make a big difference. If the injury isn’t bad, then expect him to stay in Bradenton this year and to start next year with a potential promotion to Greensboro at some point. Meaning that if all goes well, he is still likely 4-5 years away from the Pirates rotation. However, if he comes back and pitches like he did in April and May and can continue to pitch like that it could accelerate things. There is a lot to like with Kennedy, hopefully he can get back on the mound sooner rather than later.