Plum’s Ryan Kircher getting attention of MLB scouts

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 6, 2018 | 4:18 PM

Many sets of eyes — and radar guns — will be focused on Plum's Ryan Kircher this spring. The senior lefty has established himself as one of the top pitchers in the state.

He is hoping to take his game to another level as his aspirations and options begin to focus on opportunities beyond high school, whether that is as a professional or in college.

“Every time he throws, he needs to prepare to be his best, not only for himself but for his team,” Plum coach Carl Vollmer said. “There are going to be a lot of people watching him and analyzing every part of what he does. We have scouts contacting us all the time about when he is pitching. It's a balance between what's best for the team, first and foremost, and also being able to showcase Ryan to give him every opportunity to succeed.”

Kircher didn't give up any earned runs and struck out eight in four innings in Plum's 11-4 victory over Lutheran South (St. Louis) in the season opener March 23 in Florida.

He picked up the victory to run his career varsity record to 13-3 with 113 strikeouts in 68 ¹⁄₃ innings.

“Splitting hairs, we wanted him to be a little more efficient with his pitches to get hitters out earlier in the count,” Vollmer said. “He understands that. But for a first start, it was a good building block for him and his expectations for the season. For him, it's about fine-tuning a couple of things and always making sure his level of preparation is where it needs to be.”

Kircher agreed his outing against Lutheran South could have been better, but it was a strong start.

“It was good. I only gave up two hits,” he said. “But my command was a bit shaky at times. I have to clean some things up for my next games.”

While Kircher's draft resume for June still is developing, he is set at the collegiate level after signing with Kent State in November.

“Ryan is one of the best left-handed pitchers in the country right now,” Kent State coach Jeff Duncan said of Kircher when he announced the Golden Flashes' 2018 recruiting class. “He has been up to 93 (mph), and he has a high ceiling. He has a very flexible arm and elbow. He has a chance to be really special.”

Former Plum player Scott McGough opted to go to college out of high school and attended Oregon before heading to the Major Leagues.

Last summer, Alex Kiriloff, a Liberty recruit, was the 15th overall pick in the MLB Draft by Minnesota and decided to turn pro.

Kircher said for him, it will be a wait-and-see process as to where he might be situated.

“It's a special opportunity with the draft, but I know that no matter what happens, I like where I am at for my future,” Kircher said.

As far as the pressures of the season, including scouts attending games when he's pitching?

“I just want to go out and pitch and hit my best for my team and let everything else take care of itself,” he said. “We have a lot of solid guys throughout the lineup. If we play up to our capabilities, we have the chance to make a deep run in the playoffs.”

Kircher increased his visibility in the offseason with his play in front of scouts at several high-level events.

Vollmer said he also was impressed with Kircher's work ethic throughout the winter as he got stronger with weight room sessions.

Kircher said he hopes a different regimen of exercise and weight training in the offseason will help him keep his arm and overall body at a higher level for a longer time for the Mustangs (3-1).

Vollmer continues to make sure it is known that Kircher is not a pitcher alone and can put the bat on the baseball and secure an outfield spot when he's not on the mound.

Kircher was the only player standing in the way of Pine-Richland pitcher Ryan Okuda's no-hitter bid in last year's WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals.

He singled twice for the only two Plum hits in a 2-0 loss.

“We've always known he is a talented kid,” said Vollmer, who recalled his confidence in Kircher to start him twice in the 2016 state playoffs, including the title game. “We just want to do whatever we can to help him reach the highest level possible, which, I think, is pretty high.”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.