When you’re good, everyone wants a piece of you and if you’re Kaua‘i High School senior Kirby Yates, then you fit that description well. The pitcher/infielder is without a doubt, one of the best players in the state and he
When you’re good, everyone wants a piece of you and if you’re Kaua‘i High School senior Kirby Yates, then you fit that description well.
The pitcher/infielder is without a doubt, one of the best players in the state and he is letting his play speak for himself so far this season. And while the KIF title is all but wrapped up, Yates is looking towards the next level and his many options.
The Red Raider righthander signed with Yawapi Junior College in Prescott, Arizona.
“I still could go to another school, maybe a division I program, but I think I’ll get in more games at a junior college,” Yates said.
Yates has been used sparingly on the mound this season and it’s no coincidence that they bring him in when the games are close at the end. Red Raider head coach is using pure strategy when letting Yates take to the mound.
The brother of New York Mets pitcher Tyler, has been utilized mostly during the contests against the Menehune, who pose a tougher challenge to the Red Raiders.
However, at yesterday’s second game against the Warriors, Yates came in to pitch the final two innings with the game in a tight squeeze.
“Come on Yates, you look too pretty on the mound; throw harder,” one fan yelled.
Yates, who walked a Warrior batter was heckled throughout his two inning stint.
“He is human and he can walk batters too,” another fan chanted as Yates walked the Kapa‘a player.
In the final frame though, Yates, who is said to be clocked in the upper 80s to lower 90s, dominated on the mound, which propelled the Red Raiders to the win.
