South Side Sox Top Prospect No. 87: Kyle Kubat
Organizational depth? C’mon now ... in relief, the southpaw has been lights-out in the Sox system
Kyle Kubat
6´1´´
195 pounds
Throws: Left
Age: 26
SSS rank among all left-handed relievers in the system: 7
Kubat’s four-year career with Nebraska was spent primarily as a starting pitcher, and he fared reasonably well despite not flashing any power numbers. His senior season was a microcosm of his college years, as he posted a 2.97 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 94 innings, surrendering 102 hits and 15 walks while fanning 63. Kubat went undrafted in 2015, but signed with the Kansas City Royals shortly afterward. The White Sox acquired Kubat for cash prior to the 2017 season, and the southpaw has been pretty much lights-out since.
Of course, with the caveat that ERA and WHIP don’t always tell the full story for a reliever, Kubat’s 2017 season spanning Kannapolis, Winston-Salem and Birmingham was nevertheless outstanding. In 74 2⁄3 innings over 35 games (three starts), Kubat allowed just 50 hits and 12 walks against 77 strikeouts for a 1.69 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 26.5 K%, while allowing just two home runs. When just focusing in on his seven-game stint in Birmingham last year, Kubat posted a 1.30 ERA and 0.65 WHIP by allowing just 10 hits (.141 OBA) and two walks (2.7%) while striking out 17 (23.0%) in 20 innings.
Despite his gaudy stats with the Barons, Kubat began the 2018 season in Winston-Salem, not Birmingham. Kubat posted solid numbers once again for the Dash, although he wasn’t quite as spectacular: 3.55 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 91 1⁄3 innings, allowing 97 hits (.279 OBA) and 13 walks (3.5%) as opposed to 77 strikeouts (20.7%). Kubat actually started nine games for the Dash, and didn’t fare well. Strictly looking at Kubat’s relief work, his numbers would’ve again been outstanding: 2.06 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, .230 OBA, with seven walks and 42 strikeouts in 48 innings.
Because Kubat doesn’t throw particularly hard (his repertoire includes an upper-80s fastball, slider and changeup), the White Sox consider him primarily as organizational depth. However, with Kubat’s tremendous control and command, he’s been able to outperform his stuff thus far in his pro career. The southpaw likely will begin next season with Birmingham.
Take a look!
Nothing easily found of Kubat on the Dash, but some nice video of Kubat three years ago (in the Royals system) can be found on the now-defunct Drinking the Royals Blue Aid.
Plus, Antics!
2019 South Side Sox Top 100 Prospects
87. Kyle Kubat, LHRP
88. Johan Dominguez, RHRP
89. Mitch Roman, 2B
90. Ty Greene, C
91. Tanner Banks, LHSP
92. Jake Elliott, RHRP
93. Kevin Escorcia, LHRP
94. Luis Rodriguez, RHSP
95. Ian Dawkins, LF
96. Victor Diaz, RHRP
97. Travis Moniot, LF
98. Josue Guerrero, LF
99. Will Kincanon, RHRP
100. Brian Clark, LHRP