After Matt Brash fired 1-2 electrifying games, he lost control of the strike zone. The M’s decided first that he should work on finding his control again in the minors, and second, that he should do so in a relief role. I’ve laid out why I disagree with both, but what’s done is done. To take his place, the M’s have turned to their top pitching prospect George Kirby. The righty/former first-rounder makes his big league debut today.
Kirby has always had excellent control. He famously didn’t walk anyone in his short-season debut. But more intriguingly, word got out from the alternative site in 2020 lockdowns that Kirby’s velo had shot up to the high 90s.