It’s been a year of change for Easton McGee, but the former Hopkinsville High School Mr. Baseball has adjusted well to his life on the diamond and off.
McGee is working his way through the Tampa Bay Rays organization. After two seasons in rookie ball, McGee advanced through low-level Class A baseball in New York and pitched for the Bowling Green Hot Rods in 2019.
After posting a 7-5 record with 95 strikeouts in 125 innings, McGee was ready to make the jump up a level. Then COVID-19 hit and shut down the 2020 season. Then came a restructuring of the minor league baseball system that teams shuttered at the lower levels.
McGee was able to wade his way through both and advanced to the roster of the Class Double-A Montgomery Biscuits this year. He is 4-0 in 12 starts this year with a 4.30 ERA. McGee has found his stride in August, posting a 3-0 record with a 1.62 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched.
“The biggest difference between A and AA would probably be the hitters. You just really have to stay locked in on every single pitch and make sure you make quality pitches because these hitters will make you pay if you make mistakes,” McGee said.
McGee has been a starter for his minor league career, something he hopes continues as he looks to advance through the Tampa Bay system.
“I’ve never really had the chance to take on a reliever role, but I’m sure pitching every 2-3 days versus every 5-6 days is much different. I prefer being a starter and staying in a routine I can do every five days,” McGee said. “You have to prepare yourself mentally. You have to be prepared physically as well but I think you have to have confidence to be successful.”
McGee said his preparation helped him get past a positive COVID-19 test in the spring.
“During spring training, in April, one of my roommates tested positive for Covid. Me and my other roommates had to quarantine for seven days due to contact tracing,” he said.
After missing a week of spring training, it got worse for McGee.
“Once we arrived in Montgomery, I tested positive for Covid the day before the season started.”
McGee had to quarantine for two weeks and then return to Florida to get his arm in “game shape.” That added two more weeks and caused McGee to miss the first month of the season.
He has been able to bounce back and get stronger throughout the season. He struck out a career-high 12 batters in an August 3 win over the Tennessee Smokies.
Now, the 23-year-old McGee looks to balance baseball and a family.
“It’s definitely hard being away from my wife and my family. But they are very supportive and encouraging which makes things a lot easier. And my parents and wife both have traveled several times to Montgomery this year to see me so that has been extremely helpful. I’m very thankful for that,” McGee said.
The community support for McGee dates back to his high school days at Hoptown. He committed to play at the University of Kentucky, but Tampa Bay drafted McGee in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft. McGee then began his foray into professional baseball.
“My career thus far has been very fun, and I have been very fortunate. I’m not really sure what I expected pro ball to be like, but the game has introduced me to a lot of new people and new friends and taken me to new places. I’m very grateful for that.”
As far as what advice he would give to the next local kid wanting to follow in his footsteps — “You have to work extremely hard. You have to work harder than the guy next to you because that guy is trying to take your spot. Just work hard and enjoy the game.”
3 Responses
Great recap of Easton’s progress thru MLB. I appreciate your continued coverage of his hard work. Your Great pictures allow everyone to see him in action and see just how much he has grown since high school. Easton is a committed man to his profession with an incredible wife mom dad sisters and many many others who are excited to see one of our very on do great things.
I do not know this young man but loved reading the story about his progress. Job well done here
Really proud of Easton! Great kid with great parents! Can’t wait to see him in the majors!