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Kirby's Command Under Fire: Strikes Hit, Games Lost
26 Aug
Summary
- Opponents bat .285 against Kirby, highest in baseball.
- Strikeout rate dropped from 26.1% in 2025 to 19.9% this season.
- Kirby's command places hittable pitches in the zone consistently.
George Kirby's command, once his trademark, is now a growing concern for the Mariners. While he maintains a low walk rate, opponents are hitting .285 against him, the highest average allowed by any qualified pitcher. This season, his strikeout rate has plunged to 19.9 percent from 26.1 percent in 2025, with his whiff rate falling below the league average.
Hitters are making contact 86.9 percent of the time on Kirby's pitches within the strike zone. Despite some indicators of bad luck with expected metrics lower than actual results, the core issue is a disappearance of dominance. Kirby's reputation was built on overpowering opponents, but he is now challenging them and losing.
This performance slump impacts the Mariners' offseason plans, particularly regarding Kirby's trade value. While his age, track record, and club control remain attractive, declining numbers may position him as a rebound project rather than a frontline starter, potentially hindering Seattle's ability to secure an impactful return.
