Jake McGee, Relief Pitcher

Date of Birth: 8/6/1986
Birthplace: San Jose, California
Nickname: Clockhands

Jake McGee, relief pitcher, was first drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2004. He played in the Rays' minor league system from 2004 through most of 2010. In July, 2008, he had Tommy John surgery.

McGee joined the Rays for eight games in 2010. In his first major league game on September 14th, the first batter he struck out was Derek Jeter. In 2011, he pitched in 37 games with the Rays. He finished the season with a 4.50 ERA in 28.0 innings.

McGee's first full season in the majors was 2012 when he pitched 55.1 innings in 69 games. He finished the season with a 5-2 record and a 1.95 ERA. THe following season, he pitched 62.2 innings in 71 games and he had a 4.02 ERA.

McGee became the Rays' closer in the second half of the 2014 season. That year, he had career highs in games played (73), innings pitched (71.1), and strikeouts (90 to 16 walks). He had 19 saves and a 1.89 ERA. His playing time was limited in 2015 by knee surgery that ended his season in August. In 39 games, he had a 2.41 ERA in 37.1 innings.

The Rays traded McGee to the Colorado Rockies on January 28, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with a 4.73 ERA in 57 games. He had 2 wins to 3 losses, 15 saves, and 38 strikeouts to 16 walks in 45.2 innings.

McGee finished the 2017 season with no wins and 2 losses, 3 saves, 58 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 3.61 ERA in 57.1 innings in 62 games. In the Wild Card game, he pitched 0.1 innings and he gave up no hits.

McGee became a free agent on November 2, 2017. He signed with the Rockies on December 15, 2017. He finished the 2018 season with 2 wins and 4 losses, 1 save, 47 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 6.49 ERA in 51.1 innings in 61 games.

McGee spent time on the DL in 2019 with a left knee sprain. He finished the season with no wins and 2 losses, 35 strikeouts to 11 walks, and a 4.35 ERA in 41.1 innings in 45 games.

The Rockies released McGee on July 17, 2020. He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 21, 2020. He pitched in 24 games with the Dodgers in 2020, and he finished the season with 3 wins and 1 loss, 33 strikeouts to 3 walks, and a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 2.2 innings in 4 games, and he gave up 4 hits and 1 run.

McGee became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He signed with the San Francisco Giants on February 17, 2021. He spent time on the IL in 2021. He finished the season with 3 wins and 2 losses, 31 saves, 58 strikeouts to 10 walks, and a 2.72 ERA in 59.2 innings in 62 games. In the postseason, he gave up 2 hits, 1 home run, and 2 runs in 2.2 innings in 3 games.

McGee was released by the Giants on July 14, 2022. He signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on July 23rd. The Washington Nationals claimed him off waivers on August 9th. He was released by the Nationals on September 11th.

Career pitching statistics for McGee through 2021 include:

• 608 games played
• 535.1 innings pitched
• 31-25 win-loss record
• 76 saves
• 588 strikeouts to 144 walks
• 3.50 ERA

Personal Life

McGee and his wife Morgan were married in December, 2009.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jake McGee
ESPN - Jake McGee