Kirby Yates, Relief Pitcher, Atlanta Braves

Date of Birth: 3/25/1987
Birthplace: Lihue, Hawaii
College: Yavapai College

Kirby Yates, relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, was first drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2005 but he didn't sign with them. Four years later, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched in the Rays' minor league system from 2009 through part of 2014 and 2015. In 209 games, mostly in relief, he pitched 343.2 innings and he had a 14-14 record, 69 saves, 455 strikeouts to 159 walks, and a 2.67 ERA.

Yates pitched in 37 games with the Rays in 2014. He finished with a 3.75 ERA and 42 strikeouts to 15 walks in 36.0 innings. That year he also pitched in 21 games in the minors. The following season, his time was split between the Rays and the minors. With the Rays, he had a 7.97 ERA in 20.1 innings in 20 games.

The Rays traded Yates to the Cleveland Indians on November 25, 2015. Less than two months later, on January 8, 2016, he was traded to the New York Yankees. He finished the 2016 season with a 5.23 ERA, 2 wins to 1 loss, and 50 strikeouts to 19 walks in 41.1 innings in 41 games with the Yankees.

The Los Angeles Angels claimed Yates off waivers on October 5, 2016. He was designated for assignment on April 23, 2017. The San Diego Padres claimed him off waivers on April 26th. He finished the 2017 season with 4 wins and 5 losses, 1 save, 88 strikeouts to 19 walks, and a 3.97 ERA in 56.2 innings in 1 game with the Angels and 61 games with the Padres.

Yates pitched in 65 games in 2018, and he had a 2.14 ERA. He finished the season with 5 wins and 3 losses, 12 saves, and 90 strikeouts to 17 walks in 63.0 innings.

Yates finished the 2019 season with no wins and 5 losses, 41 saves, 101 strikeouts to 13 walks, and a 1.19 ERA in 60.2 innings in 60 games. He led all major league pitchers in saves.

Yates pitched just 4.1 innings in 6 games in the shortened 2020 season. He had an ERA of 12.46.

Yates became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on January 20, 2021. He had Tommy John surgery on March 24, 2021, and he missed the entire season.

Yates became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Braves on November 29th.

Career pitching statistics for Yates through 2021 include:

• 291 games played
• 282.1 innings pitched
• 12-17 win-loss record
• 57 saves
• 400 strikeouts to 94 walks
• 3.54 ERA

Personal Life

Yates' brother Tyler was a pitcher in the major leagues in 2004 and from 2006 through 2009. He played for the New York Mets, the Atlanta Braves, and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Yates and his wife Ashlee were married on January 2, 2016.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Kirby Yates
Baseball Reference - Kirby Yates