Kirby first to re-sign with Wild Things
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
The Wild Things have started building their roster for the 2026 Frontier League season.
The first player announced to have signed a contract is veteran starting pitcher Zach Kirby.
It will be the fourth season in Washington for Kirby, a 25-year-old righthander from Upland, Calif.
Kirby has been in the Wild Things’ starting rotation ever since he was signed at midseason in 2023 out of Loyola Marymount University. He played one season at LMU after four years, including the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, at East Tennessee State.
With Washington, Kirby has accumulated a 17-12 record and 3.43 ERA over 45 appearances (41 starts). Last season, after a slow start to the year, Kirby finished strong and had a 7-5 record and 4.62 ERA. Kirby struck out 61 in 109 innings.
Kirby threw his first professional complete game on Aug. 14, a 1-0 loss at Trois-Rivieres. He started Game 1 of the playoff series against Gateway.
In 2024, Kirby was a midseason all-star and finished the year with a 10-4 record and 2.42 ERA. He finished in the top five of the league in ERA.
The Wild Things have several other players already under contract for 2026 but have yet to release those signings.
The 2026 season will be Washington’s 24rd in the Frontier League. The season begins May 7 at Windy City. Washington will play its first seven games on the road before the home opener May 15 against Schaumburg.
The Frontier has increased its regular-season schedule to 96 games for each team.