Michael Joseph Kickham (born December 12, 1988) is an American
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Modern professional ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...
for the
Hagerstown Flying Boxcars of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
(MLB) for the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...
,
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eigh ...
, and
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
. Listed at and , he throws and bats left-handed.
Amateur career
Kickham attended
Glendale High School in
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Springfield metropolitan area, which had an estimat ...
, and played for the school's baseball team. His senior season as a Falcon, he posted a 1.16
ERA
An era is a span of time defined for the purposes of chronology or historiography, as in the regnal eras in the history of a given monarchy, a calendar era used for a given calendar, or the geological eras defined for the history of Earth.
Comp ...
with 65
strikeouts
In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means that the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is deno ...
. He also hit for a .390
batting average
Batting average is a statistic in cricket, baseball, and softball that measures the performance of batters. The development of the baseball statistic was influenced by the cricket statistic.
Cricket
In cricket, a player's batting average is ...
as an outfielder. Kickham earned all-conference status at both positions.
Kickham spent 2009 at
Crowder College
Crowder College is a public community college in Neosho, Missouri. It serves the Community College District of Newton and McDonald counties in southwestern Missouri and other outlying areas. The school enrolled 4,398 in 2019.
Established in 1963 ...
, where he went 3–3 with a 5.62 ERA. He struck out 47 batters in 41 innings.
After Crowder, Kickham transferred to
Missouri State University, where he was enrolled in premedical studies and studied biology. For the
Missouri State Bears baseball
The Missouri State Bears baseball team represents Missouri State University, which is located in Springfield, Missouri. The Bears are an NCAA Division I college baseball program that competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. They began competin ...
team, Kickham had a 4–9 record with a 5.25 ERA and 103 strikeouts, in 96 innings spanning 15 games.
Professional career
San Francisco Giants
The
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...
selected Kickham in the sixth round of the
2010 MLB draft. After spending 2010 with the rookie league squad, he spent 2011 with the
Augusta Greenjackets
The Augusta GreenJackets are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at SRP Park in North Augusta, South Carolina, which opened in April 2018. They previo ...
. In 2012, he was promoted to the
Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels
The Richmond Flying Squirrels are a Minor League Baseball team based in Richmond, Virginia. The team, which is a part of the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club, and plays at The Diamond. The ...
, where he posted an 11–10 record and a 3.05
earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...
(ERA) in 28 games.
After two months with the
Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They are located in Fresno, California, and play their home games at Chukchansi Park, which was opened in 2002 in d ...
, the Giants promoted Kickham to the majors on May 26, 2013. Kickham made his debut in a start against the
Oakland Athletics, pitching innings while allowing four runs on four hits and four
walk
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an ' inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults ...
s; the Giants failed to come back, and Kickham suffered the loss. With the Giants in 2013, Kickham made a total of 12 appearances (three starts), accruing an 0–3 record with 10.16 ERA and 29 strikeouts in
innings pitched.
[ In 2014, Kickham appeared in two games for the Giants, both in relief, allowing five runs in two innings pitched for a 22.50 ERA.][ Overall, Kickham registered a 10.98 ERA for the Giants in a total of 14 appearances spanning innings pitched.][
]
Chicago Cubs
On December 23, 2014, Kickham was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs then designated him for assignment on January 9.
Seattle Mariners
He was then traded to the Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion team ...
on January 14, 2015, for minor league pitcher Lars Huijer. He was designated for assignment by the Mariners on May 4, 2015, when they re-added left-handed reliever Joe Beimel
Joseph Ronald Beimel (pronounced "BUY mul") (born April 19, 1977) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, ...
to the active roster.
Texas Rangers
Kickham was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on May 5, 2015. Kickham was released on June 11.
Bridgeport Bluefish
Kickham signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish
The Bridgeport Bluefish were an American minor league baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The team was a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which was not affiliated with Major League Baseba ...
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on July 24, 2015. He was released on July 28, 2015, without making an appearance.
San Francisco Giants (second stint)
Kickham signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants in January 2016. He was released on May 30, 2016.
Kansas City T-Bones
Kickham signed with the Kansas City T-Bones
The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Kansas. Formerly known as the Kansas City T-Bones, they are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball; which, in 2020, became designated as a Majo ...
of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball
The American Association of Professional Baseball is an independent professional baseball league founded in 2005. It operates in the central United States and Canada, mostly in cities not served by Major League Baseball teams or their minor lea ...
on June 26, 2016.
Miami Marlins
On February 9, 2017, Kickham's contract was sold to the Miami Marlins organization. In 27 games (25 starts) split between the Triple–A New Orleans Baby Cakes
The New Orleans Baby Cakes (formerly the New Orleans Zephyrs) were a Minor League Baseball team in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They were located in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, ...
and Double–A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are located in Jacksonville, Florida, and are named for shrimp caught in the area. The team pla ...
, he posted a cumulative 8–10 record and 3.65 ERA with 119 strikeouts in innings pitched. He elected free agency
In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under contract at present but who is ...
following the season on November 6.
On January 13, 2018, Kickham re-signed with Miami on a minor league contract. In 20 games split between New Orleans, Jacksonville, and the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Marlins, he accumulated a 3.64 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 42.0 innings of work. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.
On November 16, 2018, Kickham again re-signed with Miami to a new minor league contract, and was invited to spring training. He appeared in 31 contests (13 starts) for New Orleans, registering a 5–5 record and 4.27 ERA with 84 strikeouts in innings pitched. Kickham elected free agency after the year on November 4, 2019.
Boston Red Sox
On December 20, 2019, the Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eigh ...
signed Kickham to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training. His contract was selected on August 31, 2020. He made his first appearance with the Red Sox on September 2, against the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in Bos ...
. Kickham recorded his first MLB win on September 5, when he pitched two innings of scoreless relief and the Red Sox came back to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...
with two ninth-inning runs. Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Kickham appeared in five games (two starts), compiling a 1–1 record with 8.31 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched. On October 26, Kickham was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On January 8, 2021, the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
organization signed Kickham to a minor league contract. On May 2, 2021, Kickham was selected to the 40-man roster and added to the Dodgers’ active roster. He pitched two innings for the Dodgers that night against the Milwaukee Brewers and allowed three runs on five hits. He was designated for assignment the following day. On May 5, Kickham was outrighted to Triple-A. He spent the rest of the season with the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers
The Oklahoma City Dodgers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and play their home games at Chickasaw Bricktown Ba ...
, where he had a 6.51 ERA in 20 appearances. Kickham elected free agency on October 14.
Mariachis de Guadalajara
On February 15, 2022, Kickham signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna
The Algodoneros de Unión Laguna (English: Laguna Union Cotton Farmers) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Torreón, Coahuila.
History Early years
The team was established in 1940 under the name Algodoneros de Unió ...
of the Mexican League
The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country.
The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five te ...
. However, he was released on April 15, prior to the start of the LMB season.[ On April 27, Kickham signed with the ]Mariachis de Guadalajara
The Mariachis de Guadalajara (English language, English: Guadalajara Mariachis) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Zapopan, Jalisco. Their home ballpark is Estadio de Béisbol Charros de Jalisco y Atletismo, Estadio Pan ...
of the Mexican League
The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country.
The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five te ...
.[ He made two appearances, giving up 5 earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched. Kickham was released on May 2.][
]
Florence Y'alls
On March 13, 2023, Kickham signed with the Florence Y'alls
The Florence Y'alls are a professional baseball team based within the Greater Cincinnati region in the city of Florence, Kentucky. The Y'alls are a member of the West Division of the Frontier League, an independent baseball league. Since 2004, ...
of the Frontier League
The Frontier League is a professional independent baseball league with teams in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and Eastern Canada. Formed in 1993, it is the oldest currently running independent league in the United States. The le ...
. In 7 starts for Florence, he struggled to a 9.12 ERA with 21 strikeouts in innings of work. On June 20, Kickham was released by the Y'alls.
Lexington Counter Clocks
On June 25, 2023, Kickham signed with the Lexington Counter Clocks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 15 starts for the Counter Clocks, he struggled to a 1–7 record and 7.08 ERA with 55 strikeouts across innings of work. On February 27, 2024, Kickham was released by Lexington.
Hagerstown Flying Boxcars
On March 14, 2024, Kickham signed with the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Scouting report
Kickham throws four pitches: a fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch thrown by pitchers in baseball and softball. " Power pitchers," such as former American major leaguers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, rely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit, and have thr ...
at , a slider, a changeup, and an occasional curveball.Mike Kickham | Baseball News Hound
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References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kickham, Mike
1988 births
Living people
Baseball players from Springfield, Missouri
Major League Baseball pitchers
San Francisco Giants players
Boston Red Sox players
Los Angeles Dodgers players
Crowder Roughriders baseball players
Missouri State Bears baseball players
Arizona League Giants players
Augusta GreenJackets players
Richmond Flying Squirrels players
Fresno Grizzlies players
Tacoma Rainiers players
Round Rock Express players
Kansas City T-Bones players
Gulf Coast Marlins players
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp players
New Orleans Baby Cakes players
Estrellas Orientales players
American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic
Naranjeros de Hermosillo players
American expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Oklahoma City Dodgers players
Mariachis de Guadalajara players