Mariners’ George Kirby pitches six scoreless innings in MLB debut

SEATTLE, Wash. — Just a day after getting called up to the major leagues, Mariners pitcher George Kirby put on a show for the Seattle fans.

Kirby, one of the greatest pitching prospects in baseball, was drafted with the 20th pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. He was called up from the Double-A Arkansas Travelers to make his first MLB start for the Mariners against the Tampa Bay Rays.

In six innings of play, Kirby struck out seven batters, had no walks or runs, and only four hits on 81 pitches. He made franchise history by becoming the first pitcher to throw six scoreless innings in an MLB debut.

The Mariners ended up winning the contest too, beating the Rays 2-1.

Kirby was ranked as the No. 34 prospect to watch by ESPN entering the 2022 season. The 24-year-old righty also averaged a 97.3 mph fastball in the 2021 season.

In his 28 starts in the Minor Leagues, Kirby went 7-3 with 137 strikeouts and 20 walks with an ERA of 2.34 over 115 innings.

After impressing the Minor League and now the majors, its safe to say the future is bright for the Mariners’ young star.

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