Ex-Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher Nick Kingham Struggling in the KBO

At one time Nick Kingham was among the top prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system. Now, he is pitching in the KBO. Let’s take a look at how he is doing in the KBO.

At one time, Nick Kingham was one of the Pittsburgh Pirates top prospects. In fact, there was even a time period when he was a top 100 prospect. However, the right-handed pitcher has fallen on harder times.

After battling injury throughout his minor league career, including Tommy John Surgery, Kingham finally made his long overdue MLB debut in 2018 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 18 games, 15 of which were starts, Kingham posted a 5.21 ERA, 5.65 FIP, -0.3 fWAR, and a 20.2% strikeout rate in 76 innings of work.

Kingham entered spring training in 2019 competing for a spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation. Despite failing to earn a rotation spot, due to being out of minor league options he found a spot in the team’s Opening Day bullpen.

With the Pirates, Kingham would struggle. In 34.2 innings of work he allowed 54 hits, walked 17 batters, surrendered seven home runs, and struck out 32. This led to Kingham posting a 9.87 ERA and a 5.46 FIP with the Bucs.

On June 8, Kingham was designated for assignment. This led to the Toronto Blue Jays picking him up. North of the border, Kingham logged 21 innings. In these 21 innings he allowed 24 hits, four home runs, issued eight walks, and struck out 14. As a Blue Jay, Kingham owned a 3.00 ERA, but a 5.50 FIP.

On August 25, the Blue Jays designated Kingham for assignment. The following day, he accepted free agency. Kingham would then remain unsigned the rest of the MLB season.

With Kingham looking for a new home, he would look overseas. On November 28, 2019, he signed with the SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization.

Luckily for Kingham, the KBO started sooner than the MLB did in 2020. Due to this, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Kingham has found himself pitching this spring and into the summer. So, how has the ex-Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher been performing in South Korea?

So far in KBO play, Kingham has made a pair of starts for the SK Wyverns. Kingham has logged 10.2 innings in these two starts. In his 10.2 innings of work Kingham has allowed 16 hits, one home run, he’s walked four, and he’s struck out six.

Through his first two KBO starts Kingham owns a 6.75 ERA and a 4.82 FIP. If Kingham continues to struggle at the KBO level, his professional baseball career could be in jeopardy. Hopefully, the ex-Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher can get back on track in Korea.