September to remember for McKee
BUTLER TWP — It wasn't quite October, but Butler graduate Colin McKee had a September to remember.
McKee, 24, was the winning pitcher for the Houston Astros' Class A affiliate Buies Creek recently in the Carolina League championship game.
McKee was an 18th-round draft selection by Houston in 2016 and is working his way through the Astros' farm system.
“I had a pretty good year,” McKee said. “Getting the win in that championship game was a great way to finish it.
“Anytime you win a championship, it's exciting ... everybody jumping all over everybody.”
McKee pitched the 10th and 11th innings against Potomac in the one-game league final. The series was supposed to be best-of-five, but was shortened to a single-elimination game Sept. 11 as Hurricane Florence was bearing down on the Carolina coast.
“No way would we have gotten an entire series in,” McKee said. “We found out 10 minutes before the game that would be the only game of the series.
“Winner take all. Everybody was fired up about that.”
Buies Creek won the game, 2-1, with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 11th. McKee struck out four and allowed one hit in his two innings of work to get the victory.”
The Buies Creek franchise is moving 35 miles down the road next season. The team will be renamed and play its home games in Fayetteville, N.C.
McKee doesn't plan to be there. While the Buies Creek Astros are moving out, he hopes to be moving up.
“I'm hoping to pitch at Class AA next year,” McKee said. “Of course, that's not my decision. You report to spring training, try to make an impression and get placed on a roster.
“At worst, I hope I wind up at AA at some point next year.”
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound right-hander has found a niche in the bullpen. He totaled seven saves between the Quad Cities River Bandits — where he started the season — and Buies Creek. McKee was promoted to the latter on May 1.
His overall numbers in 2018 include a 6-3 record, 68 strikeouts, 29 walks and 39 hits allowed in 45 innings pitched. Opponents hit .224 against him.
Those numbers were even better at Buies Creek: 3-1 record, 2.60 ERA, 30 strikeouts and six walks in 17.1 innings pitched.
“I've grown comfortable pitching out of the bullpen this year,” McKee said. “My arm felt stronger as the season went on. I hit 99 miles per hour with my fastball. I probably averaged 94 or 95.”
McKee wants to play winter ball this off-season. Those leagues begin play in November and he may have a chance to play in Puerto Rico or Australia.
“I'm waiting to hear,” he said.
Once he finds his way to Class AA, a potential trip to the major leagues won't seem as far away.
“Get to Double-A and you're basically an injury away from getting up there,” McKee said. “I just want to keep progressing. If it's meant to happen, it will.”
