Mike Kickham

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Mike Kickham

| image = Kickham2013 (cropped).JPG

| width =

| caption = Kickham with the San Francisco Giants

| team = Hagerstown Flying Boxcars

| number = 4

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|12|12}}

| birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = May 28

| debutyear = 2013

| debutteam = San Francisco Giants

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2021 season

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 1–4

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 10.10

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 49

| teams=

San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2014}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2020}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2021}})

}}

Michael Joseph Kickham (born December 12, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Listed at {{convert|6|ft|4|in|m}} and {{convert|220|lb|kg}}, he throws and bats left-handed.

Amateur career

Kickham attended Glendale High School in Springfield, Missouri, and played for the school's baseball team. His senior season as a Falcon, he posted a 1.16 ERA with 65 strikeouts. He also hit for a .390 batting average as an outfielder. Kickham earned all-conference status at both positions.{{cite news|title=Mike Kickham Bio|url=http://www.missouristatebears.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/kickham_mike00.html|access-date=May 5, 2015|publisher=Missouri State University}}

Kickham spent 2009 at Crowder College, where he went 3–3 with a 5.62 ERA. He struck out 47 batters in 41 innings.{{cite web|title=Mike Kickham|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/profile.asp?P=/mike-kickham.shtml|work=The Baseball Cube|access-date=27 May 2011}} After Crowder, Kickham transferred to Missouri State University, where he was enrolled in premedical studies and studied biology. For the Missouri State Bears baseball team, Kickham had a 4–9 record with a 5.25 ERA and 103 strikeouts, in 96 innings spanning 15 games.{{cite news|last1=Eymer|first1=Rick|title=Quiroz provides positive review on Kickham|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/48767638/giants-catcher-guillermo-quiroz-gives-positive-review-on-starter-michael-kickham|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222020424/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/48767638/giants-catcher-guillermo-quiroz-gives-positive-review-on-starter-michael-kickham|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2016|access-date=February 14, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=May 27, 2013}}

Professional career

=San Francisco Giants=

The San Francisco Giants selected Kickham in the sixth round, with the 198th overall pick, of the 2010 MLB draft.{{cite news|title=Mike Kickham Signs Professional Contract With San Francisco|url=http://www.missouristatebears.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/081010aaa.html|access-date=May 5, 2015|publisher=Missouri State University|date=August 10, 2010}} After spending 2010 with the rookie league squad, he spent 2011 with the Augusta Greenjackets. In 2012, he was promoted to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, where he posted an 11–10 record and a 3.05 earned run average (ERA) in 28 games.

After two months with the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies, the Giants promoted Kickham to the majors on May 26, 2013.{{cite news|last1=Pavlovic|first1=Alex|title=Mike Kickham chosen to fill in for veteran who helped him in the spring|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2013/05/26/mike-kickham-chosen-to-fill-in-for-veteran-who-helped-him-in-the-spring-2/|access-date=May 5, 2015|work=San Jose Mercury News|date=May 26, 2013}} Kickham made his debut in a start against the Oakland Athletics, pitching {{frac|2|1|3}} innings while allowing four runs on four hits and four walks; the Giants failed to come back, and Kickham suffered the loss.{{cite news|last1=Eymer|first1=Rick|title=Giants fall to A's in Kickham's brief debut|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_28_sfnmlb_oakmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=sf|access-date=May 5, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 29, 2013}} 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 {{frac|28|1|3}} 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 {{frac|30|1|3}} innings pitched.

=Seattle Mariners=

On December 23, 2014, Kickham was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.{{cite news|title=Cubs claim LHP Mike Kickham off waivers|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/28383/28383cubs-claim-lhp-mike-kickham-off-waivers|access-date=January 15, 2015|work=ESPN.com|date=December 23, 2014}} The Cubs then designated him for assignment on January 9.{{cite news|title=OF Chris Denorfia completes $2.6M deal 1-year deal with Cubs|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12143759|access-date=January 10, 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=January 9, 2014}}

Kickham was traded to the Seattle Mariners on January 14, 2015, in exchange for minor league pitcher Lars Huijer.{{cite news|title=Seattle acquires LHP Kickham from Cubs for minor leaguer|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12168109|access-date=January 15, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=January 14, 2015}} In 5 starts for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, he struggled to an 0-2 record and 7.29 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 21 innings of work. Kickham was designated for assignment by the Mariners on May 4, when they re-added left-handed reliever Joe Beimel to the active roster.{{cite news|last1=Johns|first1=Greg|title=Shortstop Taylor called up as Mariners tweak roster|url=http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/122318556/shortstop-michael-taylor-called-up-as-mariners-tweak-roster|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507173833/http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/122318556/shortstop-michael-taylor-called-up-as-mariners-tweak-roster|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2015|access-date=May 5, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 4, 2015}}

=Texas Rangers=

Kickham was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on May 5, 2015.{{cite news|title=Rangers claim Kickham off waivers, move Rua to 60-day DL|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12827248|access-date=May 5, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=May 5, 2015}} He made 7 appearances for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, posting a 1-0 record and 6.00 ERA with 4 strikeouts over 6 innings of work. Kickham was released by the Rangers on June 11.{{cite news|title=Other Rangers news: Team releases Michael Kickham; A draft pick served a one-year suspension at Vanderbilt|url=http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangersheadlines/2015/06/11/other-rangers-news-team-releases-michael-kickham-a-draft-pick-served-a-one-year-suspension-at-vanderbilt|access-date=February 14, 2016|work=Dallas Morning News|date=June 11, 2015}}

Kickham signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on July 24, 2015. However, he was released on July 28, without making an appearance for the club.

=San Francisco Giants (second stint)=

Kickham signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on January 18, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Eddy|first1=Matt|title=Minor League Transactions: Jan. 8-14|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-jan-8-14-2/|access-date=February 14, 2016|work=Baseball America|date=January 18, 2016}} In 6 appearances for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 6.75 ERA with 7 strikeouts across {{fraction|10|2|3}} innings pitched. Kickham was released by the Giants organization on May 30.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/05/minor-mlb-transactions-53016.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 5/30/16|last=Polishuk|first=Mark|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 30, 2016|access-date=May 30, 2016}}

=Kansas City T-Bones=

Kickham signed with the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball on June 26, 2016. In 14 starts for Kansas City, Kickham compiled a 3-5 record and 2.83 ERA with 73 strikeouts across 86 innings pitched.

=Miami Marlins=

On February 9, 2017, Kickham's contract was sold to the Miami Marlins organization.{{Cite web|title=2017 Transactions|url=https://aabaseball.com/transactions/2017-transactions/|access-date=2023-05-29|website=aabaseball.com|language=en}} In 27 games (25 starts) split between the Triple–A New Orleans Baby Cakes and Double–A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, he posted a cumulative 8–10 record and 3.65 ERA with 119 strikeouts in {{fraction|145|2|3}} innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=July 15, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|work=Baseball America|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=November 6, 2018|access-date=November 12, 2018}}

On November 16, 2018, Kickham again re-signed with Miami to a new minor league contract, and was invited to spring training.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-nov-6-21-2018/|title=Minor League Transactions: Nov 6 - Nov 21|work=Baseball America|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=November 22, 2018|access-date=November 22, 2018}} He appeared in 31 contests (13 starts) for New Orleans, registering a 5–5 record and 4.27 ERA with 84 strikeouts in {{fraction|86|1|3}} innings pitched. Kickham elected free agency after the year on November 4, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2019|author=Matt Eddy|website=Baseball America|date=November 7, 2019|access-date=November 7, 2019}}

=Boston Red Sox=

On December 20, 2019, the Boston Red Sox signed Kickham to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training.{{cite web |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2019/12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220211456/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2019/12 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=December 2019 |access-date=December 20, 2019}} His contract was selected on August 31, 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2020/08 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff - Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=August 2020 |access-date=August 31, 2020}} He made his first appearance with the Red Sox on September 2, against the Atlanta Braves.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=401226225 |title=Braves vs. Red Sox |website=ESPN.com |date=September 2, 2020 |access-date=September 2, 2020}} 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 with two ninth-inning runs.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=401226264 |title=Blue Jays vs. Red Sox |website=ESPN.com |date=September 5, 2020 |access-date=September 5, 2020}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kickhmi01.shtml |title=Mike Kickham Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 27, 2020}} On October 26, Kickham was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/red-sox-outright-5-players.html |title=Red Sox Outright 5 Players |first=Connor |last=Byrne |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=October 26, 2020 |access-date=October 26, 2020}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On January 8, 2021, the Los Angeles Dodgers organization signed Kickham to a minor league contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=t234&player_id=592464#/career/R/pitching/2021/ALL |title=Mike Kickham |website=milb.com |date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=January 22, 2021}} On May 2, Kickham was selected to the 40-man roster and added to the Dodgers' active roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/2/22416042/dustin-may-los-angeles-dodgers-corey-knebel-mike-kickham|title=Dodgers place Dustin May on 10-day IL, Corey Knebel on 60-day IL|work=SB Nation|first=Blake|last=Harris|date=May 2, 2021|accessdate=May 2, 2021}} He pitched two innings for the Dodgers that night against the Milwaukee Brewers and allowed three runs on five hits. Kickham was designated for assignment the following day.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/dodgers-claim-phil-bickford-designate-mike-kickham.html|title=Dodgers Claim Phil Bickford, Designate Mike Kickham|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Mark|last=Polishuk|date=May 3, 2021|accessdate=May 3, 2021}} On May 5, Kickham was outrighted to Triple-A.{{Cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/#month=5&year=2021|title=Major League Baseball Transactions}} He spent the rest of the season with the Triple–A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he had a 6.51 ERA in 20 appearances.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=kickha001mic|title=Mike Kickham Minor, Independent & Winter League Statistics|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=October 4, 2021}} Kickham elected free agency on October 14.{{Cite web |title=Players Recently Electing Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/players-recently-electing-free-agency-3.html |access-date=October 16, 2021 |website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=October 16, 2021 }}

=Mariachis de Guadalajara=

On February 15, 2022, Kickham signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.{{cite news|title=Unión Laguna se refuerza con otro ex ligamayorista

|url=https://unionlaguna.mx/blog/post/union-laguna-se-refuerza-con-otro-ex-ligamayorista|website=unionlaguna.mx|date=15 February 2022|access-date=15 February 2022|language=es}} 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 of the Mexican League. 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 of the Frontier League.{{cite web | url=https://frontierleague.com/information/Transactions/index | title=2023-24 Transactions }} In 7 starts for Florence, he struggled to a 9.12 ERA with 21 strikeouts in {{fraction|25|2|3}} innings of work. On June 20, Kickham was released by the Y'alls.{{cite web | url=https://frontierleague.com/information/Transactions/index | title=2023-24 Transactions }}

=Lexington Counter Clocks=

On June 25, 2023, Kickham signed with the Lexington Counter Clocks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Transactions – Atlantic League Pro Baseball }} In 15 starts for the Counter Clocks, he struggled to a 1–7 record and 7.08 ERA with 55 strikeouts across {{fraction|67|1|3}} innings of work. On February 27, 2024, Kickham was released by Lexington.{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Transactions – Atlantic League Pro Baseball }}

=Hagerstown Flying Boxcars=

On March 14, 2024, Kickham signed with the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Transactions – Atlantic League Pro Baseball }} In 25 starts for Hagerstown, he posted a 7–4 record and 5.69 ERA with 100 strikeouts across {{fraction|118|2|3}} innings pitched.

On March 8, 2025, Kickham re-signed with the Boxcars for a second season.{{Cite web|title=Transactions|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=34102|access-date=March 25, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}} On June 14, Kickham pitched a no-hitter in a 1–0 win against the Staten Island Ferry Hawks.{{Cite web|title=Hagerstown Flying Boxcars vs Staten Island Ferry Hawks: 1-0|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=624373|access-date=June 14, 2025|website=espn.com|language=en}}

Scouting report

Kickham throws four pitches: a fastball at {{convert|91|-|95|mph}}, a slider, a changeup, and an occasional curveball.[http://baseballnewshound.com/?p=4023 Mike Kickham {{pipe}} Baseball News Hound]