The Remarkable Career of Kirby Yates: From Undrafted to MLB All-Star
Kirby Yates’ journey to becoming an MLB All-Star is a testament to his resilience and talent. Despite not being chosen in the MLB Draft, he worked his way through the minors and conquered various obstacles to become one of the top closers in baseball.
Early Career: The Undrafted Underdog
Born on March 25, 1987, in Lihue, Hawaii, Kirby Kali Yates attended Kauai High School where he began to hone his baseball skills. Interestingly, Yates was not selected in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft after high school or college, a path many professional players take. This undrafted status would follow him as an underdog theme throughout his career.
Yates attended Yavapai College, moving forward with collegiate baseball despite the set-back of going undrafted. After some impressive performances at the junior college level, he began his ascent in professional ball by signing as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays organization in 2009.
Path Through The Minors: Grinding Toward The Goal
His early career in professional baseball was pegged in the minor leagues. Kirby Yates steadily climbed through the ranks, honing his craft as a relief pitcher – a role that requires endurance and mental toughness given its status as baseball’s late-inning pressure cooker.
In 2014, Yates made his MLB debut with the Rays, showcasing that he could compete at the highest level. Yet, during his time with Tampa Bay and subsequently the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels, he failed to perform consistently at the big-league level.
A Turnaround with San Diego: From Relative Obscurity to All-Star Status
The significant turnaround for Kirby Yates’ career occurred when he joined the San Diego Padres. It was with them that Yates entirely overwhelmed the competition.
In 2018, Yates began to garner national attention when he became one of the set-up men for the Padres, registering an outstanding Earned Run Average (ERA) and displaying poise on the mound. His slider and fastball combination mystified hitters and resulted in high strikeout rates.
By 2019, now ensconced firmly as the Padres’ closer after Brad Hand’s departure, Yates led MLB in saves with 41 and mounted an incredibly low ERA. His dominance during this season awarded him his first-career selection as an MLB All-Star—a crowning achievement that reflective of his determination and excellence on the mound.
The Struggle with Injuries and a Road Ahead
Kirby Yates’ undeniable skill and resilience have been tested via injuries across recent seasons. After his spectacular season in 2019, he was sidelined with various ailments including an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery in 2020. These health issues have put pauses in a career characterized by peaks of leadership in closing games.
Still, Yates’ determination is proven, and as team after team has witnessed through his minor league struggles and major league triumphs, his ability to bounce back from setbacks already sets a tone for any comeback efforts he engages in post-surgery.
Notes
Image description: A dynamic sports photo capturing Kirby Yates on the pitcher’s mound mid-pitch, wearing his San Diego Padres uniform number 39. His focus is palpable as you see intensity in his eyes just before releasing a fastball towards home plate.
OYvdq