Kirby came out of Georgia Tech and once projected as a potential top-five pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. He fell to the Brewers at No. 40 in Competitive Balance Round A after missing a significant portion of the collegiate season with a muscle strain behind his left shoulder. He returned to close out the College World Series for national champion Georgia Tech and reportedly had a deal to sign with the Brewers for above the $1.548 million slot value assigned that pick.
But a new, undisclosed medical concern delayed the deal, and Kirby eventually signed on July 17 for $1.