PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Shane McClanahan was the third-highest pick in USF baseball history when the Tampa Bay Rays drafted the pitcher 31st overall in 2018.
McClanahan had a rapid rise through the Rays’ organization. Last October, he made history becoming the first pitcher to make his Major League debut in a post-season game.
He was added to the team’s post-season roster having only pitched in one full minor league season.
“Doing that in game one of the ALDS against the New York Yankees, it kind of makes me relax a little more,” McClanahan said. “You can do it, you did it.”
“It probably wasn’t the fairest situation to put a young pitcher in that didn’t pitch in any games in 2020,” manager Kevin Cash said.
McClanahan is back with the team for his second spring training in Port Charlotte. There’s a chance he may start this season in Triple-A, but he hopes to make an impact on the big league level in 2021.
“Obviously, that’s my only goal,” he said. “I want to help this team win a lot of ballgames. Hopefully, I get to do that again.”
“He’s super-talented,” Cash said. “(Pitching coach) Kyle (Snider) was raving about his bullpen. The fastball, the velocity, and the breaking ball. We have to allow Shane Mac some time to harness it, find that consistency. Man, he’s pretty talented.”
McClanahan did find consistency in his spring training living situation.
“I’m with the Yarboroughs again,” he said with a smirk.
Like last spring, he's staying with teammate Ryan Yarborough and his wife.
“They asked me to live with them,” he said. “I always ask to help out. I pay rent, I help out around the house. I don’t want to be a nuisance or freeloader.”
