F/F SPOTLIGHT: George Kirby

George Kirby (RHP, SEA) is a unicorn.

At a time when young pitchers are throwing harder than ever and racking up whiffs and strikeouts, this 25-year-old does things differently. He's a throwback who just simply doesn't... walk... anybody. Dating back to 2010, here are the five lowest walk rates among 1,740 starting pitcher seasons (min. 100 IP):

Year  Pitcher          BB%
====  ===============  ===
2014  Phil Hughes      1.9
2016  Clayton Kershaw  2.0
2010  Cliff Lee        2.1
2023  George Kirby     2.4
2017  Josh Tomlin      2.4

The pinpoint control isn't a new thing—Kirby posted a 4.1% BB% in his 2022 rookie season—and it's been the key driver in him making good on his Top-15 prospect pedigree with a 3.44 career ERA through 44...

Almost!

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