Position: LHP
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 205 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 11/30/2004
High School: Troy (NY) HS
How Acquired: Draft 4th Round, 110th Overall, 2022
Bonus: $1,000,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
Kennedy is unusual in being an early pick from a cold-weather area and being very young for the draft (17 until the November after the draft), but scouts consider his feel for pitching to be very advanced. His fastball is about average, at 88-92 mph, topping out at 94. Considering his size, it’s doubtful whether he has much projection. He throws a slider that misses a lot of bats, both right- and left-handed, and his change has good potential. His command is excellent for a prep pitcher. Kennedy was an LSU recruit, but he signed for $1M. That was nearly double the slot value of $554,800.
2022-23
As is typical with the Pirates’ prep pitching draftees, Kennedy didn’t appear in his first season. In 2023, he pitched in the FCL. Hitters didn’t have much success against him, batting just .154. He had trouble with walks at times, mainly from being just off the plate rather than actually being wild. He had a 4.0 BB/9 and 11.7 K/9, with an ERA of 2.13. He finished with two brief outings for Bradenton, allowing just two hits and striking out eight in four and a third innings, although he walked six.
2024
Kennedy had an uneven but ultimately promising 2024 season. He started off in the Bradenton rotation and had a 3.13 ERA in his first five starts, with 30 strikeouts in 23 innings. Then he had a rough stretch, posting a 5.87 ERA over six starts. Whether that stretch reflected him being less than healthy isn’t known, but he went on the injured list for the next month and a half. When he returned, he had a 2.33 ERA in five games. (Oddly, three of the five runs he allowed came in his one relief appearance.) Kennedy’s final two starts came for Greensboro and he fanned 15 in 10.2 IP, allowing just one run. On the season, Kennedy fanned 10.2 per nine innings while walking just 2.0, which helps address concerns about whether his stuff is good enough.
Stats
Transactions
July 18, 2022: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 4th round, 110th overall pick; signed on July 27.