Kipp posted a 6.95 ERA and worked just 79 innings in four years at Yale, losing much of the 2020 season and all of '21 to pandemic cancellations. He pitched briefly in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2022 after graduating with an economics degree, and he planned to attend grad school at Notre Dame until the Cubs signed him for $50,000 as a nondrafted free agent. He has turned into a viable prospect while showing off one of the best curveballs in the system.
Kipp can top 3,000 rpm with his low-80s curve, displaying the aptitude to manipulate its shape to land it in the zone or get chases with bigger depth. He generates similar spin rates on a solid slider with tighter break and a bit more velocity, and he'll also mix in a so-so cutter in the upper 80s. The Cubs have helped him gain about 3 mph on his fastball since turning pro, and his heater now sits at 92-94 mph with high spin and carry.
Because Kipp has yet to demonstrate much feel for an upper-80s changeup that's too firm, he attacks left-handers by working up in the zone with his fastball and down with his curve. He has reasonably good control but has little margin for error, so he nibbles around the strike zone and can get into trouble with walks. If he can't make it as a back-of-the-rotation starter, his feel for spin could make him a useful reliever.
