McKee looking for new home
WHITE LAKE, N.C. — Timing is everything in professional baseball.
Lately, timing has not been on Colin McKee’s side.
An 18th round draft selection of the Houston Astros in 2016, the Butler graduate and former Mercyhurst University pitcher reached the Class AAA level in Houston’s minor league system, only to undergo surgery for a herniated disc in his back in January of 2022.
The 28-year-old right-handed reliever came back late last season, appearing in 16 games, striking out 21 batters in 20 innings and recording a 3.15 earned run average. But his minor league contract with the Astros expired after the 2022 campaign and the organization was without a general manager.
The Astros moved on from G.M. James Click despite winning the World Series.
“My contract was up and there was no general manager to negotiate anything with the minor leaguers,” McKee said. “The owner tried getting some things done with players at the major league level, but that was it.”
Houston named long-time MLB administrator Dana Brown as its new general manager Thursday. But McKee remains a free agent.
“I’ve got no contract offers as of now,” McKee said. “Now that they have a G.M., will the Astros reach back out to me? I just don’t know. My agent has talked to all 30 major league teams. I’m hopeful something will happen ... I feel like I proved myself after coming back from that surgery and I’m perfectly healthy now.
“It’s amazing how slow the market has been. There are major league free agents still out there and pitchers and catchers are due to report to training camps in a couple of weeks. There’s a trickle-down effect and I have to be patient.”
The 6 -foot-3, 225-pound McKee has appeared in 196 minor league games in his career, sporting an 18-14 record, 3.90 ERA and 18 saves. He’s struck out 295 in 223.2 career innings pitched.
“Timing really is everything in this game,” McKee said. “I was a Class AA all-star, then COVID hit and we didn’t play the next year.
“I just want to land somewhere where I get a fair shot at showing what I can do. My goal remains getting a chance to pitch in the major leagues. I want to see that through.”
Though he has not heard from his agent “who’s working with numerous other players as well,” McKee admitted he would welcome a chance to join the Pirates organization.
“It’s the team I grew up rooting for and it’s my hometown,” he said. “Teams like the Pirates, in rebuilding stages, there’s more opportunity for guys to make their major league debut. There are other teams like that, too.
“All I an do is wait and see how everything plays out. Hopefully, there’s a spot for me somewhere.”
McKee is married now and living in North Carolina. His wife is expecting the couple’s first child in late March or early April.
While his No. 1 goal remains pitching in the major leagues, McKee said he will be busy regardless.
“I’ll stay in condition. My body feels great right now,” he said. “If I’m not pitching somewhere and get to spend more time with my wife and new-born child ... I’m excited about that prospect, too.”
