MSU sophomore Mike Kickham has emerged as a potential high-end draft pick.
Missouri State has had an impressive run on high-end MLB draft picks over the last half-decade. Glendale product Mike Kickham could be the next one.
When ESPN.com’s Keith Law unveiled his top 100 draft picks for June’s draft, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound left-handed pitcher is No. 72, and more specifically, the No. 5 left-handed pitcher in the draft. (The link is ESPN Insider, a pay-service.)
Although he’s only a sophomore, Kickham is draft-eligible because he is 21 years old. After pitching at Crowder Junior College in Neosho last season, Kickham is 4-5 in 10 starts, spanning a team-high 62 2/3 innings with an ERA of 4.31, 63 strikeouts and only 16 walks. He has command of four pitches — fastball, curveball, slider and changeup — and has improved his fastball velocity to the low-90s.
The News-Leader’s Lyndal Scranton wrote about Kickham last week.
Could Kickham join MSU’s recent string of high-end draft picks? Here is a list of the recent Bears premium pitching draft picks and where they currently are within their respective organizations.
2006 draft
Brett Sinkbeil, RHP — Drafted No. 19th overall by Florida
Current location: Triple-A New Orleans
2010 numbers: 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 7 IP, 9 Ks, 7 BBs, .300 opponent batting average
Sinkbeil hasn’t had much success within the Florida organization, toting a career 4.68 ERA over 367 professional innings. He is repeating Triple-A and is now coming out of the bullpen.
2007 draft
Ross Detwiler, LHP – Drafted No. 6 overall by Washington
Current location: 60-day Disabled List
After pitching at Double-A and Triple-A last season, Detwiler ended the season on the big league roster, going 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts). He had surgery to repair a torn hip flexor in February and was placed on the 60-day DL. He could end up on a rehab assignment by late May or early June.
Scott Carroll, RHP — Drafted in the third round (No. 104 overall) by Cincinnati
Current location: High-A Lynchburg
2010 numbers: 0-1, 3.86 ERA, 4 2/3 IP, 3 Ks, 2 BBs
After famously being suspended 50 games for violating the minor league drug policy, Carroll has struggled to gain traction in the Reds organization. He reached Double-A last season, but is back at High-A.
Of course, other former Missouri State pitchers Shaun Marcum (Toronto), Brad Ziegler (Oakland) and Matt Palmer (LA Angels) are in the big leagues, but only Marcum was a highly-touted selection third-round selection in 2003. Palmer was a 31st round pick in 2002 and Ziegler was undrafted.
Allen Vaughan is a national award-winning reporter and writer who lives in Springfield. After leaving the Springfield News-Leader in September of 2009, he has taken his affinity for sports in the Ozarks and tried to raise the bar in terms of innovative journalism. Want to get in touch with Allen? E-mail him at Allen@TAGsgf.com. You can follow him on Twitter here or on Facebook here.
