Kevin Kobel – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Kevin Kobel’s name doesn’t echo through baseball history like the sport’s biggest legends, but there’s something compelling about his story. It’s a journey full of early promise, perseverance, and the harsh realities that come with major league competition.

Born in Buffalo, New York in 1953, Kobel became one of the youngest players to reach the majors. He debuted with the Milwaukee Brewers at just 19.

Kobel pitched for eight professional seasons from 1973 to 1980, putting together an 18-34 record with a 3.88 ERA over 115 games with the Brewers and New York Mets. His career kind of sums up what so many players go through—reaching baseball’s highest level but struggling to hang on in one of the toughest sports out there.

From his teenage debut in Milwaukee to his last season with the Mets, Kobel’s career really shows what young pitchers faced in the 1970s. Arm injuries hit hard, and the battle between promise and performance? It’s relentless.

He bounced between organizations and levels, giving us a glimpse into baseball during a pretty pivotal era.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Kevin Richard Kobel was born October 2, 1953, in Buffalo, New York. He honed his baseball skills at Saint Francis High School in Colden, New York.

The Milwaukee Brewers liked what they saw in his left-handed pitching and drafted him in 1971, right after he finished high school.

Family Background and Upbringing

Kevin Richard Kobel entered the world on October 2, 1953, in Buffalo, New York. He grew up in western New York during the 1950s and 1960s.

The Buffalo area had a strong baseball culture, which helped shape young athletes like Kobel. Growing up there, he got exposed to competitive baseball early on.

His family supported his athletic pursuits throughout his youth. That support made a big difference as he developed the skills that would launch his professional career.

Living near Buffalo meant he had access to good coaching and competitive leagues. Those opportunities helped him sharpen his left-handed pitching during his formative years.

Baseball at Saint Francis High School

Kobel went to Saint Francis High School in Colden, New York, where he played baseball and graduated in 1971. The school’s baseball program gave him a place to showcase his pitching.

As a lefty, Kobel stood out among his peers. He was six feet tall and had developing skills that caught scouts’ attention during high school.

The Saint Francis coaching staff worked with him on mechanics and the finer points of the game. That training would prove crucial for his jump to pro ball.

His senior year performance drew interest from major league scouts. The quality of his pitching made him a real candidate for the amateur draft.

MLB Draft Selection in 1971

The Milwaukee Brewers picked Kevin Kobel in the 10th round of the 1971 MLB June Amateur Draft. Some sources say it was the 11th round, but either way, the Brewers drafted him right out of Saint Francis High.

The Brewers saw potential in the young lefty. His age and projectable frame made him an attractive developmental prospect.

Draft Details:

• Team: Milwaukee Brewers
• Round: 10th (maybe 11th)
• Year: 1971
• High School: Saint Francis High School (Colden, NY)

That selection kicked off Kobel’s pro journey. At just 17, he entered the Brewers’ minor league system, hoping to climb to the majors.

The draft validated his high school career and the coaching he received. It also showed the Brewers’ commitment to developing young pitching talent.

Major League Debut and Milwaukee Brewers

Kevin Kobel made history with the Milwaukee Brewers by becoming the only pitcher in franchise history to debut as a teenager. His early career looked promising, but arm troubles in the mid-1970s really set him back.

MLB Debut as a Teenager

Kobel made his Major League Baseball debut on September 8, 1973, for the Milwaukee Brewers. He was just 19, making him the youngest pitcher ever to debut for the franchise.

He earned that shot after an impressive minor league season. Kobel won 12 games at Double-A Shreveport in 1973, which earned him a September call-up.

His first appearance, though, didn’t go well. Kobel gave up a grand slam to Yankees shortstop Fred Stanley—Stanley’s only home run that season.

Kobel started for the first time on September 28th, again against the Yankees. He pitched six innings and allowed four runs, taking the loss. He only appeared in two games during that 1973 debut.

Notable Performances and 1974 Season

Kobel’s first full year in the majors came in 1974. He earned a spot in the Brewers’ starting rotation with Jim Slaton, Jim Colborn, Clyde Wright, and Billy Champion.

He got his first career win against the Yankees, which must have felt good after his rough debut against them.

Key 1974 Statistics:

• Record: 6-14
• ERA: 3.99
• Complete game shutouts: 2
• Team finish: 5th place

Kobel showed flashes of potential despite his record. His 3.99 ERA was solid for a young pitcher on a struggling team, and those two shutouts showed he could really dominate hitters when he was on.

1975 Arm Troubles and Comeback Attempts

Arm troubles hit Kobel hard in 1975. He pitched only seven games with Triple-A Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League. That was a big setback for such a promising young pitcher.

The injury problems lingered into 1976. Kobel pitched 32 games at Triple-A Spokane, finishing with a 7-12 record and a high 5.50 ERA. That rough year showed just how much arm issues can stick with a pitcher.

Milwaukee still called him up in September 1976, and he appeared in three games, two against the Yankees. He took a loss on September 17th after blowing a save.

In 1977, Kobel spent the whole year in Triple-A Spokane. He improved to 12-6 with a 4.94 ERA and picked up two saves. That would be his last season with the Brewers before heading to the New York Mets.

Minor League Journeys

Kobel’s minor league career stretched over a decade, taking him through several organizations as he battled injuries and tried to regain his major league form. He spent extended time in the Brewers system, did rehab assignments after arm troubles, and had brief stops with the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations.

Development in Brewers Farm System

Kobel started his pro career in 1971 with the Newark Co-Pilots in the New York-Penn League. At just 17, he went 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 11 games.

He moved up quickly in the Brewers system. In 1972, he jumped to Double-A San Antonio in the Texas League but really struggled. His record dropped to 3-15 with a 4.31 ERA over 29 games, 25 of them starts.

Kobel bounced back in 1973 with the Shreveport Captains. He posted a 12-8 record with a 3.40 ERA in 26 games. That earned him his first big league call-up.

After his first MLB stint, Kobel played for Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League in 1975. He appeared in just seven games, going 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA in limited action.

Return from Injury in Minors

After arm troubles affected his big league performance, Kobel went back to Triple-A Spokane in 1976. He struggled there, finishing 7-12 with a 5.50 ERA in 32 games, including 20 starts.

The following year, he stayed with Spokane and improved. He put together a 12-6 record with a 4.94 ERA in 35 games, pitching as both a starter and reliever.

When he joined the New York Mets organization, Kobel spent some time with Triple-A Tidewater in 1978. He mostly worked in relief, going 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 13 games. That performance helped him get another shot in the majors.

Stint with Omaha Royals and Portland Beavers

In 1980, Kobel joined the Kansas City Royals organization. They sent him to the Omaha Royals in the American Association, where he struggled with a 2-1 record and 5.60 ERA in 17 games.

His time in Omaha marked a real decline in his effectiveness. He allowed 62 hits in just 53 innings and walked 24 batters.

After a brief return to the majors with New York, Kobel ended up with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1982. He pitched seven games for the Portland Beavers in the Pacific Coast League and went 0-1 with a 5.21 ERA.

That Portland stint was basically his last in professional baseball. Kobel also played briefly in the Mexican League with Ciudad Juarez that same year before retiring.

New York Mets Years

The New York Mets picked up Kevin Kobel in December 1977, purchasing his contract from Milwaukee. He spent three seasons with the Mets, which included career highlights, a memorable shutout, and eventually, his exit from pro baseball.

Transition and Initial Performance

The Mets brought Kobel in at the end of 1977, looking for pitching depth. He started 1978 at AAA Tidewater and put up a strong 2-1 record with a 2.42 ERA.

The team called him up to the majors at the end of May 1978. The Mets’ pitching staff needed help, and Kobel arrived at a crucial time.

He debuted for the Mets on May 20th, 1978, finishing off a 9-4 loss at Shea Stadium. His early outings were tough—the Mets lost his first nine appearances, though he only took one loss himself.

Still, Kobel found his groove as the season went on. He finished 1978 with a 5-6 record and a solid 2.91 ERA over 32 games, including 11 starts and 21 relief appearances.

Key Games and Shutouts

July 8th, 1978, was a big day for Kobel with the Mets. He started against the Cubs and threw six shutout innings to earn his first win in four seasons. That outing showed his potential as a reliable starter.

His most impressive game came in early September 1978 against the Pirates. Kobel tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just one run on two hits. That kind of performance showed he could pitch at the highest level.

The 1978 season ended on a high note for him. On October 1st, he won the last game of the season, giving up just one run over seven innings at Wrigley Field.

In 1979, Kobel had another standout moment on June 16th. He threw a three-hit shutout against the Braves at Shea Stadium. That was his last truly dominant outing as a pro.

Role on the Mets During the 1978-1979 Seasons

Kobel pitched as both a starter and reliever with the Mets. In 1978, he split his time between the rotation and bullpen, making 11 starts in 32 appearances.

In 1979, he began in the bullpen in late April, making two relief outings before moving into the starting rotation. He started strong, going 2-0 in his first month as a starter.

During his best stretch that season, Kobel consistently pitched deep into games. He reached the 8th inning three times and never gave up more than two runs in any start. Even with solid pitching, he got little run support and only picked up one win in that stretch.

Kobel wrapped up 1979 with a 6-8 record and a 3.54 ERA for the last-place Mets. He pitched 162 innings, struck out 67, and walked 46. His control was decent, though his strikeout numbers stayed modest.

1980 Season and End of MLB Career

The 1980 season turned out to be Kobel’s last in professional baseball. He started off rough and pretty much stayed that way, going 1-4 over his first 14 games.

His numbers took a nosedive compared to earlier years. In just 24 innings pitched, Kobel allowed 19 earned runs, which pushed his ERA up to 7.00. The Mets took him out of the pitching rotation after that stretch.

1980 Statistics	Value
Record	1-4
ERA	7.00
Games	14
Innings Pitched	24

The Mets sent Kobel down to AAA Tidewater in mid-June 1980. He didn’t make it back to the majors after that move. His struggles at Shea Stadium and on the road finally caught up with him.

In June 1980, the Mets traded Kobel to the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later. He bounced around in the Royals’ minor league system and also spent some time with the A-ball Portland Beavers in the Pirates’ organization.

That was it for his professional career—he never got another shot in the big leagues.

Career Statistics and Playing Style

Kevin Kobel put up modest numbers in his seven years in MLB. He finished with an 18-34 record and a 3.88 ERA across 115 games.

He showed some promise early on as a teenager, but control issues and inconsistent outings really held him back.

MLB Career Overview

Kobel kicked off his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1973 when he was just 19. He still stands as the only pitcher in Brewers history to debut as a teenager.

His rookie year was short—just two games in September.

In 1974, he got his first real shot at the majors. Kobel joined Milwaukee’s starting rotation alongside Jim Slaton and Jim Colborn. He ended up with a 6-14 record and a 3.99 ERA, tossing two shutouts even though the team finished fifth.

Arm problems in 1975 derailed his progress. He pitched only seven games that year in the Pacific Coast League at AAA Sacramento.

He struggled at AAA Spokane in 1976 and 1977. The New York Mets picked up his contract in 1978.

Things looked up a bit for Kobel with the Mets from 1978 to 1980. His best stretch came in 1978, when he posted a 2.91 ERA over 32 games. He even threw a complete game shutout against Pittsburgh and wrapped up the season with a win at Wrigley Field.

Strengths and Weaknesses as a Pitcher

At six feet tall and left-handed, Kobel had decent stuff, but his command just wasn’t there most of the time. He struck out 205 batters in 405 innings, which worked out to about 4.6 Ks per nine innings—definitely below average for that era.

Control was always a problem. In 1979, he walked 46 hitters and struck out only 67 over 162 innings. That poor strikeout-to-walk ratio made it tough for him to be effective, even when his ERA looked okay.

When he was healthy and on his game, Kobel could flash some real talent. His three-hit shutout against Atlanta at Shea Stadium on June 16, 1979, showed what he was capable of. He was able to go deep into games at times, finishing that shutout and a few other strong starts.

But his durability took a hit after those early arm issues. By 1980, things had really unraveled, and he posted a 7.00 ERA in 14 games before the Mets sent him to AAA for good.

Notable Metrics: ERA, WHIP, Strikeouts

Kobel’s career 3.88 ERA actually looks decent considering how hitters dominated in the 1970s. His best year was 1978, when he put up a 2.91 ERA over 32 games for the Mets.

His strikeout stats tell a different story. With 205 strikeouts in 405 innings, he averaged just 4.6 Ks per nine, which lagged behind the league average.

WHIP numbers from his playing days aren’t easy to find, but his walk totals point to control problems. In 1979, he issued 46 walks in 162 innings.

The 1980 season really showed his decline. He gave up 19 earned runs in only 24 innings, which ballooned his ERA to 7.13. That pretty much closed the book on his MLB career at just 26 years old.

Comparison to Peers of His Era

Kobel’s 18-34 record and 3.88 ERA put him in the lower tier of MLB pitchers from the 1970s. His .346 winning percentage reflected both the teams he played for and his own up-and-down performances.

Other lefties from that time, like Ron Guidry and Frank Tanana, posted much better strikeout rates and overall numbers. Kobel’s 4.6 strikeouts per nine innings just couldn’t keep up with the league’s top arms.

His career path didn’t match what you’d see from the more successful pitchers of his day. While many starters in the ’70s logged over 200 innings a year, Kobel never hit that mark.

He debuted at 19, which hinted at big potential, but it never really came together. Unlike some other teenage phenoms who became stars, Kobel’s arm issues and control problems kept him from breaking through in the big leagues.

Legacy, Recognition, and Post-Baseball Life

Kevin Kobel left the game with the unique title of being the youngest pitcher ever to debut for the Brewers, doing it at age 19. His baseball cards, especially his 1975 Topps rookie, still catch the eye of vintage collectors.

Baseball Cards and Memorabilia

The most popular Kobel collectible is his 1975 Topps baseball card, which shows him in a Brewers uniform. This card marks his rookie season in the majors.

Collectors who focus on 1970s baseball memorabilia seem to like this card. Mint condition versions fetch decent prices at shows and online.

He also has cards from his Mets years, but those are harder to find. His 1979 and 1980 Topps cards feature him in the blue and orange, during his best run as a Met.

Every now and then, game-used gear from his career shows up at memorabilia auctions. Signed baseballs and photos from his days with the Brewers and Mets still hold some steady interest among collectors.

Involvement with Alumni Associations

Not much info is out there about Kobel’s involvement with official baseball alumni groups after he hung up his cleats. A lot of players from his era seem to keep in touch through informal networks instead of formal associations.

His short stint with the Portland Beavers in the Pirates system marked the end of his pro baseball days. Maybe that minor league connection shaped some of his post-baseball relationships.

Former teammates from the Brewers and Mets sometimes mention him in interviews about their playing days. So, it seems like he stayed in touch with baseball circles here and there after leaving the game.

Reputation Among Brewers and Mets Fans

Milwaukee Brewers fans still talk about Kobel as that young pitcher who burst onto the scene in 1973. He made history with his teenage debut, and nobody’s broken his record as the youngest pitcher to debut for the franchise.

When Kobel joined the Mets, his 1980 season didn’t go well. He went 1-4 before the team sent him down to AAA Tidewater, which basically spelled the end of his major league days.

Even so, some Mets fans who watched him back then remember his solid runs in 1978 and 1979. There’s a bit of nostalgia for those seasons, even if things fizzled out later.

Kevin Richard Kobel’s complete game shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1978 really stands out. That game showed what he could do at his best with New York.

People still bring up Kobel on fan forums and old-school baseball sites, usually reminiscing about his early talent and the arm problems that slowed him down.