Greensboro Grasshoppers Roundup

This past week, Grasshoppers starter Michael King was named as the South Atlantic Pitcher of the Week. Let’s use that as a good reason to learn more about the 6’3” right-hander. He was the Marlins 12^th round pick in the 2016 draft after three years at Boston College.

So far this year for the Hoppers, King has a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA, and struck out 18 batters while allowing only 4 hits and 2 walks in 13 innings. His WHIP is a stellar 0.48.

Here’s a link which has King’s college and professional stats so far.

Here’s a view of him pitching in college:

A native of Rhode Island, he was ranked as the top player from Rhode Island in his class by Perfect Game. He then went to Boston College where he evolved into their number two starter and fared well against tough ACC competition.

He was known as a pitcher who used control and movement, highlighted by his two-seam fastball and pitch to contact approach.

Here’s a link to SB Nation’s detailed synopsis of King after he was drafted:

http://www.bcinterruption.com/boston-college-baseball/2016/6/23/12011084/boston-college-baseball-rhp-mike-king-signs-with-miami-marlins

So why the success so far, this year? His control has remained excellent while his strikeout rate points to him developing more swing and miss stuff.

His K/9 inning rate in college was an unspectacular 6.50; and in 2016 (mostly in the NY-Penn League and GCL) it was 5.87. In 2017 so far his K/9inning rate has more than doubled at 12.46.

It is very early on, but it will be interesting to see if he can keep this up this season and become one of the Marlins top pitching prospects.