The final push.

Butler graduate Colin McKee, entering his fifth season as a relief pitcher in the Houston Astros organization, remains on the cusp of breaking through to the major leagues.

“I'm at the point where I've competed with and against guys who have made their (MLB) debuts,” McKee said. “I'm anxious to enjoy that moment myself.

“At the same time, I have to be patient. The only thing I can control is how well I pitch. That's what I'm focusing on.”

McKee — along with other minor leaguers throughout baseball — did not get to pitch at all in 2020. All he could do was work out on his own.

Since he's not on the Astros' 40-man roster, McKee was eligible for the Rule V Draft, but was not selected. He was 2-2 with a 1.71 earned run average with Class AA Corpus Christi in 2019, striking out 76 in 58 innings. Opposing batters hit just .131 against him.

McKee pitched in six games for Class AAA Round Rock toward the end of last season.

“My goal is to start at Triple-A this coming year,” he said.

The Astros' Class AAA affiliate in 2021 will be in Sugar Land, the ballpark located only 20 minutes from Minute Maid Park.

“Round Rock was maybe three hours away,” McKee said. “The Astros had no problem, getting guys called up and in uniform quickly from there. Sugar Land is closer, but I don't think there will be much of a difference.”

He just hopes to receive that phone call. McKee turns 27 in June.

Had he been selected by another bg league club in the Rule V Draft, McKee would be starting the 2021 season on that team's major league roster.

“That would have been nice, having some team think highly enough of me to do that,” he admitted. “It would have been exciting going to spring training knowing I'd be starting the regular season in the majors.

“The Astros organization has done a great job developing me and working with me. I'm happy to remain a part of them and continue improving my skills.”

The Astros selected two pitchers — right-handers Joe Record and Seth Martinez — in the Rule V Draft themselves. They also cut three relief pitchers loose from their major league roster — Roberto Osuna, Chris Devenski and Brad Peacock.

McKee declined to play winter ball this year, opting instead to save his arm for the spring.

“I want to peak in affiliated ball, not have to ramp back up after pitching this winter,” he said. “I've been treating this as a regular off-season. I feel like I'm back on a normal schedule.”

The Astros' spring training camp is in West Palm Beach, Fla. MLB has yet to announce reporting dates, though spring training is expected to begin on time.

“Once the major league team knows when it's reporting, it will trickle down to the minor leagues,” McKee said.

“It's been a long time since I've pitched in a game. You put in all the work and conditioning, but there's no substitute for that. Once I get out there and face big league hitters in spring training, I'll see where I'm at.”