With the 11th overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays have selected Georgia Tech right-handed pitcher Deck McGuire.
In 2010, McGuire is 9-4 for the Yellow Jackets and ranks No. 1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in strikeouts (112) and innings pitched (104.2) and No. 2 in earned run average (3.01) and opponents’ batting average (.223).
He was the ACC Pitcher of the Year in 2009.
The book on McGuire is that he is not overpowering, but is projected to “eat innings” because of good control and maturity.
His fastball tops out in the early 90 mph range.
He also throws a slider, curveball, and change-up for strikes.
The 6’6″ junior took the unusual step last summer of taking some time off instead of pitching summer ball on the U.S. National Team or in the Cape Cod League (both opportunities that he had).
Some viewed this as a negative, since playing summer ball in an amateur’s probable last season in considered a final audition for scouts.
However, McGuire wanted to make amends for a poor postseason performance in 2009 when he gave up nine runs in an inning and the Yellow Jackets were knocked out of their home regional by Southern Mississippi, 12-8.
Never mind the fact that McGuire was only pitching on two days rest.
“There are a lot of guys in his situation who are trying to set themselves up for the draft the next year,” said Georgia Tech baseball coach Danny Hall.
“A guy can go up there to Cape Cod and be successful and he can stink in college the next year, but he’ll be drafted based on what [scouts] saw in the summer. That says a lot about Deck McGuire.”
In other words, McGuire was committed to rejoining Georgia Tech and answering questions about his ability to dominate, especially in big games.
One of his best outings this season came against the University of Miami on May 14th.
He threw seven innings and gave up only one run on four hits and three walks, striking out nine en route to Georgia Tech’s 14-3 blasting of the Hurricanes.
Currently, McGuire is in the midst of another postseason run—beating Alabama 5-2 this past Saturday in the Atlanta Regional.
He allowed eight hits, two runs, two walks, and struck out six for the top-ranked Yellow Jackets.
Alabama won last night setting up the rubber match tonight (McGuire did not start).
The winner will advance to next week’s Super Regional against Auburn or Clemson.
The pick is the first for new Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos and amateur scouting director Andrew Tinnish.
The Blue Jays also have the 34th, 38th, and 41st picks on the first day of the draft.
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