WILMINGTON, N.C. — A summer without baseball?

Butler graduate Colin McKee — a pitching prospect in the Houston Astros organization — hopes that doesn't become reality.

He's preparing for it nonetheless.

“This whole situation stinks,” McKee said. “I'm going to be 26 this summer and I'd hate to lose one of my prime years in the game.

“I may have to make the best of a bad thing, but I have to stay ready at the same time. I'd rather be over-prepared than not prepared enough should I get the call.”

McKee posted a 1.71 earned run average as a short reliever for Corpus Christi, Houston's Class AA affiliate, last year, He struck out 76 in 58 innings pitched.

He earned a brief promotion to Class AAA Round Rock.

“I was an injury or two away from possibly making my major league debut,” McKee said of last season.

He may not be able to get on a mound at all this season.

With the 2020 minor league season not taking place and hundreds of minor leaguers being let go, McKee remains under contract to the Astros.

“(Decisions on minor leaguers) is on a club-to-club basis,” McKee said. “It was just announced two or three days ago the Astros will pay us through Aug. 31, an extension from the previous final pay date of May 31.

“Not every team is doing that. The Oakland A's were only paying their minor leaguers through May 31.”

While McKee is not making his regular salary, his expenses are lower. He said he doesn't have to pay rent on another apartment during the season right now, nor the usual $15 per day in clubhouse dues.

“I'm probably clearing a little more money not playing right now,” he admitted. “It's close to a wash for me. But, obviously, I want to play ball this year.”

Should the major league season begin at some point, each team would carry an expanded regular roster along with a taxi squad of players to cover for injuries. The size of that taxi squad is undetermined.

The size may determine whether McKee is in uniform this season.

Mars graduate David Bednar, also a relief pitcher, made his big league debut with the San Diego Padres last September. He is on the Padres' 40-man roster, which would virtually guarantee him a spot on San Diego's taxi squad at the very least.

McKee is not on the Astros' 40-man roster.

“How many extra players they're allowed to carry may determine my chances there,” he said.

McKee's offseason home is in Wilmington, N.C. He has a trainer there and has been going to his facility twice a week.

Gyms in that area remain closed, but McKee does frequent a baseball facility a few days a weeks and found a catcher there.

“A lot of high school kids go over there. Through talking to them, I found a high school catcher,” he said. “He's been a major help to me in staying sharp and he's excited about catching me because it's helping him refine his skills, too.

“My workouts have developed into my normal offseason routine. I feel like I'm good to go. Between our (minor league) coaches, strength and conditioning staff and pitching coach, I'm in contact with one of them every three days or so. We've all been on a prescribed pitching program.

“They're monitoring what we're doing. Will we have a major league season? It's impossible to tell right now. I'd say it's 50-50.”