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Brett Kinneman will not be back in an NC State uniform next season—not that there was ever any doubt about this. Kinneman was the Pirates’ seventh round pick, which meant he got a nice chunk of change. Over $215,000, in fact.
7th-rder Brett Kinneman signs w/@Pirates for $215,500 (full pick 204 value). North Carolina State OF, raw power is his best tool, improved approach in 2018, respectable athlete. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 12, 2018
Great evening last night at PNC Park in Pittsburgh-officially a Pirate! The next part of the journey begins for @BKinn2 #raisetheJollyRoger pic.twitter.com/gTiCDeohwd
— K (@coachkinne) June 12, 2018
It would have been difficult to improve on that by coming back, and it’s probably more likely that Kinneman would have lost money by returning as a senior and losing all of his leverage against whichever club drafted him.
He’ll be missed around these parts, but you certainly can’t fault him for cashing in on a breakthrough season. If he can get some things about his approach at the plate sorted out in the minors, he’s got enough power to move up the ladder.