Kyle Middleton

Kyle James Middleton

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 225 lb.
• School Coastal Alabama Community College-Brewton
• High School Escambia High School
• Born June 13, 1980 in Pensacola, FL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Kyle Middleton played professionally from 2000 to 2010. Though he spent part or all of three seasons at Triple-A, he never ascended to the majors.

He was originally taken by the San Francisco Giants in the 29th round of the 1998 amateur draft, one pick ahead of pitcher Doug Slaten, but opted not to sign. He did sign after being taken by the Kansas City Royals in the 49th round of the 1999 amateur draft and was signed by scout Dennis Woody.

Though he began his career with a 14.85 ERA and 2.450 WHIP in 20 innings during his inaugural campaign, and in his second year he was second in the Northwest League in hits allowed (92, behind Jonathan Castellanos 100), by 2002 he was 14-5 with a 3.74 ERA in 29 games (17 starts) for the Burlington Bees. In 2003, he was 11-8 with a 2.41 ERA in 27 starts for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, tying Zack Greinke for second in the Carolina League in wins, behind Jared Gothreaux's 13. He also tied Macay McBride and Zach Miner in starts, behind Matt Coenen's 28. His 160 1/3 innings pitched were second behind McBride's 164 2/3. In 2004, he was second in the Texas League in hits allowed with 177, behind Drew Dickinson's 198. In 2005, he added another 10 wins to make the Texas League Mid-Season All-Star team (though he also had a 5.31 ERA). That year, he led the Texas League in hits allowed (218), tied Juan Sandoval and Steve Bondurant for second in starts (28), behind Jason Hirsh's 29, and was second in runs and earned runs allowed (108 & 101), behind Nick Masset (124 & 108). He also tied Daniel Davidson for second in home runs allowed (22), behind Randy Leek's 29. He reached Triple-A for the first time in 2006, going 0-8 with a 5.33 ERA in 13 starts for the Omaha Royals in part of a season there.

By 2007, he was in the Houston Astros system and the bullpen, posting a 3.35 ERA with 41 games finished and 23 saves in 44 appearances for the Corpus Christi Hooks. By 2009, he was back in the rotation, going 5-2 with a 1.75 ERA in 13 starts for the independent Pensacola Pelicans and 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 9 starts for the Midland RockHounds of the Oakland Athletics system. He was one of just seven TL pitchers to throw a shutout that year. He spent his final season, 2010, in Triple-A, going 6-8 with a 3.77 ERA in 23 games (14 starts) for the Sacramento River Cats.

Overall, Middleton went 66-63 with a 4.30 ERA in 265 games (169 starts) in the affiliated minor leagues. In 1,129 2/3 innings, he allowed 1,230 hits and 338 walks (1.388 WHIP), while striking out 691 batters. At all levels, including indy ball and his time in the Venezuelan Winter League, he was 77-69 with a 4.17 ERA in 302 games (205 starts). At Triple-A, he was 7-18 with a 4.53 ERA in 47 games (31 starts).