Knocking On The Door
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Don't ask Colin McKee if he feels like he's drawing closer to the major leagues.
The Butler graduate and Class AA relief pitcher in the Houston Astros organization will avoid the question — because somebody else has to provide the answer.
“I'm still in Double-A,” McKee said. “I'm still in that daily process. There's a long way to go.”
McKee's numbers, however, are screaming for recognition.
Through 19 games this season with Corpus Christi in the Texas League, McKee — who turns 25 Friday — has a 2-1 record with a 1.47 earned run average. He has five saves in as many opportunities, ranking third in the league in that category.
Through 36.2 innings pitched, McKee has allowed only 17 hits. He has 52 strikeouts, 23 walks and opponents are hitting a paltry .140 against him.
McKee has not allowed an earned run in his last 17.1 innings pitched. He's allowed just five hits during that time.
“Yeah, that streak's still going,” he said. “Knock on wood, it continues. I've been able to effectively mix my pitches, my fastball, curve and slider.
“Part of my success has been maintaining focus on every pitch, every batter. Make a mistake in location, these hitters will make you pay for it.”
At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, McKee throws hard. The Corpus Christi coaches will allow him to throw 50 pitches or three innings “if I'm well-rested,” he said. He will only throw an inning on back-to-back nights.
While he's been successful this season, McKee's preparation hasn't changed.
“I'm still working on things, being tweaked mechanically,” he said. “I meet with the pitching coach after every outing, always looking for ways to be more effective.”
While McKee's walk numbers are up, it's not because of wildness.
“You want to pitch to contact, get a ball put into play early in the count if you can,” he said. “Hitters will keep fouling pitches off at times. Next thing you know, it's 3 and 2, then you miss with a pitch.
“Walks are never ideal, but sometimes they happen like that.”
McKee was named the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Month in May by a blogging organization that follows the Houston farm system.
He is also one of four Corpus Christi players named to the Texas League All-Star Game. The league's coaches and broadcasters determine the all-star participants.
While rumors persist in Corpus Christi that McKee may soon be ticketed for Class AAA Round Rock (Texas), McKee pays no attention to such speculation.
“Those moves usually happen quickly,” he said. “The manager calls you into his office after a game, tells you to pack your bags and you leave the next day.
“By the time anything official would be released, I'd be long gone. But I've heard nothing about being moved up.”
McKee is not on the Astros' 40-man roster. He admits than an injury to a pitcher in the organization, struggling performances by others or a trade could affect his near future.
“A lot of times, it's not something you've done that triggers a move,” he said. “When you're in the minor leagues, they say you're pitching for all 30 big league clubs. Everyone has their eye on you.
“The trade deadline is a month away ... You never know.”
