Kirby named NWL Player of the Week

KEIZER, Ore. - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes first baseman Ryan Kirby was crowned Northwest League Player of the Week after a mouth-dropping performance during the period of July 3-9.
Kirby racked up Ruthian averages during that timespan, posting a slash line of .429/.484/.714 and a 1.198 OPS. In 28 at-bats, Kirby swatted 12 hits, including two doubles and two home runs. He also drove in 11 runs, scored five runs and walked three times.
Since joining the Volcanoes after spending part of the 2017 season with the Class-A Full Season Augusta GreenJackets, Kirby has been tearing the cover off of the baseball for Salem-Keizer. Entering tonight's ballgame against the Everett AquaSox, the 22-year-old lefty has slashed .347/.417/.547 with a NWL-leading .964 OPS in 25 games. His on-base percentage is also tops in the league.
A twelfth-round selection in 2016 out of the University of San Diego, Kirby has provided major thump in the heart of the Volcanoes' batting order. He has been Mr. Clutch thus far with his league-best 24 RBI and second-best 20 runs scored, just behind teammate Malique Ziegler's total of 21. He has struck the ball with authority with ten doubles, which are tied with Everett second baseman Joseph Rosa for the most in the NWL.
Kirby also ranks second in the NWL in batting average behind teammate Manuel Geraldo, who is hitting an impressive .356, and in slugging percentage behind Rosa, who is slugging a hefty .554 on the year.
With an off-day tomorrow, Kirby will bring his boomstick back to Volcanoes Stadium on July 12 against the Boise Hawks and continue his assault on NWL pitching. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m.