Former Sedalia Bombers Pitcher Mike Kickham Set For His First Major League Start

SAN FRANCISCO -- And the filling-in-for-Ryan Vogelsong winner is ... Michael Kickham, former pitcher for the Sedalia Bombers. The 24-year-old lefty will be called up from Triple-A Fresno to make Tuesday's start with the San Francisco Giants against Oakland, manager Bruce Bochy announced after Sunday's 7-3 win.

"He's been throwing the ball as well as anybody down there -- better, really," Bochy said of the club's 12th-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com.

Kickham takes Vogelsong's spot in the rotation after Vogelsong went on the 15-day disabled list May 21 because of a fractured right hand. The Giants do not plan to make the roster move until they have to Tuesday.

Bochy said he's impressed with how Kickham has pitched lately. In his past five starts, he's allowed six earned runs in 31 1/3 innings with 29 strikeouts and nine walks. In 10 starts with the Grizzlies, Kickham is 3-4 with a 4.33 ERA.

The Giants will be able to keep the bullpen as is, with rotation candidate Chad Gaudin staying in the 'pen.

"He's a young kid that just settled in at Triple-A," Bochy said of Kickham. "We need some help here."

This article was provided by mlb.com and the Sedalia Bombers.