Kyle McGowin
McGowin with the Washington Nationals in 2021
Charleston Dirty Birds
Pitcher
Born: (1991-11-27) November 27, 1991 (age 32)
Southampton, New York, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 5, 2018, for the Washington Nationals
CPBL: October 8, 2023, for the CTBC Brothers
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record1–0
Earned run average5.98
Strikeouts77
CPBL statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record0–2
Earned run average7.50
Strikeouts15
Teams

Kyle Keston McGowin (born November 27, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the CTBC Brothers.

Amateur career

McGowin is from Sag Harbor, New York. He attended Pierson High School, and pitched for the school's baseball team.[1] After graduating in 2010, he enrolled at Savannah State University, and played college baseball for the Savannah State Tigers. In the 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball tournament, he was named the tournament's Outstanding Performer after he pitched all ten innings of the championship game, recording 11 strikeouts.[2] The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association named him a First Team All-American in 2013, his junior year.[3]

Professional career

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels selected McGowin in the fifth round, with the 157th overall selection, of the 2013 MLB draft.[4] After he signed with the Angels, he made his professional debut with the Orem Owlz of the Rookie-level Pioneer League.[5] He pitched for the Inland Empire 66ers of the High-A California League in 2014, and was named a Midseason All-Star.[6] He spent the 2015 season with the Arkansas Travelers of the Double-A Texas League,[7] and was invited to spring training in 2016.[8] He began the 2016 season with Arkansas, and was promoted to the Salt Lake Bees of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.[9][10]

Washington Nationals

On December 10, 2016, the Washington Nationals acquired McGowin and Austin L. Adams in exchange for Danny Espinosa.[6] McGowin started the year with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs but was assigned down to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators on June 16, 2017, after posting a 6.31 ERA and a 1–6 win–loss record in nine starts.[11] He pitched for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League after the 2017 season, making six starts and striking out 27 batters without a walk allowed.[12]

McGowin with the Harrisburg Senators in 2018

In 2018, McGowin bounced back, earning a promotion back to Triple-A midway through the season and putting up a 1.20 ERA down the stretch with the Chiefs as a reliable starting pitcher.[13] He was among several pitchers mentioned by media as potential late-season call-ups by the Nationals.[14][15][16]

On September 3, 2018, the Nationals selected McGowin's contract, calling him up to the major leagues for the first time.[17] He made his major league debut on September 5, pitching an inning against the St. Louis Cardinals and giving up a solo home run to Yairo Muñoz.[18]

McGowin appeared in 7 games for the Nationals in 2019, registering an ugly 10.13 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 16.0 innings of work. Although he was not on the National's postseason roster, the Nationals won the World Series in 2019 and McGowin earned his first championship title.[19] Pitching in relief against the Atlanta Braves on September 5, 2020, McGowin earned his first career win.[20] On the season, McGowin appeared in 9 games for the Nationals, pitching to a 4.91 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 11.0 innings pitched.[21]

In 2021, McGowin made 27 appearances for the Nationals, recording a 4.20 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 30.0 innings of work. On September 4, 2021, McGowin was placed on the 60-day injured list after being diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his right elbow.[22] On November 5, McGowin was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[23] He elected free agency on November 7.[24]

Staten Island FerryHawks

On April 19, 2023, McGowin signed with the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[25] He was the Opening Day starter for Staten Island, tossing five perfect innings while striking out 11.

Houston Astros

On May 9, 2023, McGowin's contract was purchased by the Houston Astros organization.[26] In 16 games (9 starts) for the Triple–A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, he posted a 3–7 record and 7.36 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 62+1⁄3 innings pitched. On August 16, McGowin was released by Houston.[27]

Lake Country DockHounds

On August 26, 2023, McGowin signed with the Lake Country DockHounds of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[28] In his only appearance for Lake Country, a start, he allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits with 7 strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work.

CTBC Brothers

On August 29, 2023, McGowin signed with CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).[29] He became a free agent following the 2023 season.

Charleston Dirty Birds

On March 13, 2024, McGowin signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League.[30]

Pitching style

McGowin pitches right-handed, with a crossfire delivery that adds deception to his pitches.[16] His primary pitch is a fastball that sits at about 91 miles per hour (146 km/h), with a slider and circle changeup that complement it. He is considered to have above-average control.[12][31]

References

  1. ^ "Five Questions with Kyle McGowin - The Sag Harbor Express". February 10, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  2. ^ "Savannah State University Wins MEAC Baseball Title". Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  3. ^ "Savannah State's Kyle McGowin named to All-America team". Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  4. ^ "A Dream Come True For Kyle McGowin - Sag Harbor". June 7, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  5. ^ "Angels' Prospect Heads for Tempe | The East Hampton Star". easthamptonstar.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Kerzel, Pete. "Nationals acquire pitchers Adams, McGowin from Angels in exchange for Espinosa". Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  7. ^ "No. 17 Los Angeles Angels prospect Kyle McGowin closes book on strong May for Double-A Arkansas Travelers - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  8. ^ "Angels Invite McGowin to Spring Training Camp - The East Hampton Star". Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  9. ^ "Sag Harbor Native Kyle McGowin Now Just One Step Away From Big Leagues - Sag Harbor". May 23, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  10. ^ BROWN, BUBBA (August 10, 2016). "Salt Lake Bees Notes: Kyle McGowin showing signs of promise". Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  11. ^ @ByronKerr (June 16, 2017). "Harrisburg LHP Braulio Lara placed on DL. RHP Jaron Long promoted to Syracuse. RHP Kyle McGowin assigned to Harrisburg" (Tweet). Retrieved June 16, 2017 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ a b Kerr, Byron (January 8, 2018). "Nats pitching prospect spotlight: Kyle McGowin and Jimmy Cordero". MASN Sports. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  13. ^ @TalkNats (September 3, 2018). "Kyle McGowin finishes his 2018 season with @SyracuseChiefs with a 1.20 ERA" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Decisions, decisions: September call-up time for the #Nats". TalkNats. September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  15. ^ "With Gio Gonzalez gone, what's next for the Nationals' starting rotation?". The Washington Post. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  16. ^ a b "Nationals look to roster expansion". The Washington Times. August 29, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  17. ^ Menu, Gavin (September 3, 2018). "Kyle McGowin is Bound for the Big Leagues". Sag Harbor Express. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  18. ^ Menu, Gavin (September 6, 2018). "At Long Last, Kyle McGowin Makes Major League Debut". Sag Harbor Express. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  19. ^ "World Series Winner Kyle McGowin Hosting Pitching Clinic". November 23, 2020.
  20. ^ Odum, Charles (September 5, 2020). "McGowin, Nats' bullpen dominates in 10–4 win over Braves". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  21. ^ "Kyle McGowin confident in new role with the Washington Nationals". November 16, 2020.
  22. ^ "Nationals' Kyle McGowin: Moved to 60-day IL".
  23. ^ "Nationals Claim Francisco Perez off Waivers from Guardians".
  24. ^ "2021-22 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  25. ^ "Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions".
  26. ^ "FerryHawks Notebook: MLB's Houston Astros purchase Staten Island's ace pitcher after just one start". silive.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  27. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-08-16
  28. ^ "2023 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  29. ^ "CTBC Brothers Sign Kyle McGowin". cpblstats.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  30. ^ "Atlantic League Transactions". atlanticleague.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  31. ^ McInturff, Adam (July 5, 2018). "Kyle McGowin". 2080 Baseball. Retrieved September 3, 2018.

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