Mike Kickham


Michael Joseph Kickham is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox organization. He has played in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants. Listed at and, he both 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.
Kickham spent 2009 at Crowder College, where he went 3–3 with a 5.62 ERA. He struck out 47 batters in 41 innings. 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.

Professional career

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants selected Kickham in the sixth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. After spending 2010 with the rookie league squad, he spent 2011 with the Augusta Greenjackets. In 2012, he was promoted to the Class AA Richmond Flying Squirrels, where he posted an 11–10 record and a 3.05 ERA in 28 games.
After two months with the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies, the Giants promoted Kickham to the majors on May 26, 2013. Kickham made his debut against the A's, going 2.2 innings while allowing 4 runs with 4 walks. The Giants failed to come back and Kickham suffered the loss.

Seattle Mariners

On December 23, 2014, Kickham was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs then designated him for assignment on January 9. He was then traded to the Seattle Mariners on January 14, 2015, for minor league pitcher Lars Huijer. He was designated for assignment by the Mariners on May 4, 2015, when they re-added left-handed reliever Joe Beimel to the active roster.

Texas Rangers

Kickham was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on May 5, 2015. Kickham was released on June 11.

Bridgeport Bluefish

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

San Francisco Giants

Kickham signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants in January 2016. He was released on 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.

Miami Marlins

Kickham signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on March 19, 2017. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017. He resigned a minor league deal on January 13, 2018. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018. Kickham re-signed to a minor league deal on November 16, 2018, and was invited to spring training. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.

Boston Red Sox

On December 20, 2019, the Boston Red Sox signed Kickham to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training.

Scouting report

Kickham throws four pitches: a fastball at, a slider, a changeup, and an occasional curveball.