Triston McKenzie

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Triston Andrew McKenzie

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Biographical Information[edit]

Pitcher Triston McKenzie was picked in the supplemental 1st round of the 2015 amateur draft, with the 42nd overall pick, by the Cleveland Indians. He had committed to attending Vanderbilt University before his high draft rank made him change his plans. He began his professional career that year at age 17 with the AZL Indians, going 1-1, 0.75 in 4 games. In 2016, he went 4-3, 0.55 in 9 games for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the New York-Penn League and 2-2, 3.18 for the Lake County Captains of the Midwest League. In 83 1/3 innings, he gave up only 58 hits and 22 walks, for a WHIP below 1.00, while striking out 104 opponents. He began 2017 with the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League. He was selected to play for the United States team in the 2017 Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9th. he came in to start the top of the 9th with the U.S. holding a 7-4 lead over the World team and retired the only batter he faced before giving way to A.J. Puk.

He reached the majors during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, going 2-1, 3.24 in 8 games, including 6 starts. His peripheral numbers were outstanding, with just 21 hits allowed in 33 1/3 innings, against 42 strikeouts. He made one appearance in the postseason as the Indians were swept by the New York Yankees in the Wild Card Series, giving up 2 runs in 1 2/3 innings in relief. In 2021, he made 24 starts in 25 appearances, finishing at 5-9, 4.95. He again maintained a very low rate of hits allowed, with 84 in 120 innings, but he walked 58 batters and struck out 136, leading to a lot of pitches and an inability to pitch deep into games. He did a lot better in 2022 as he finished at 11-11, 2.96 in 31 games, including 30 starts. He increased his innings total to 191 1/3, his hit rate was still excellent at 138, and his K/W ratio much improved at 190/44. All of that made him one of three outstanding starting pitchers for the renamed Cleveland Guardians, alongside Shane Bieber and Cal Quantrill. He started Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on October 8th, and pitched 6 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits. The game was still scoreless when he left, but the Guardians ended up 1-0 winners in 15 innings. His other start came against the Yankees in Game 3 of the Division Series on October 15th. This game did not go as well as he gave up 4 runs in 5 innings, but the Guardians still won the game, 6-5, although he was involved in the decision.

He was ready to resume his role as one of Cleveland's big three starters in 2023 when he hit a snag in his final start of spring training, having to leave the game after just one inning, and then missing the first two months of the season. When he finally made his debut on June 4th, he was in fine form, limiting the Minnesota Twins to one hit over five innings while striking out 10. He ended up with a no-decision as Cleveland won the game, 2-1.

Extremely tall and rail-thin, he has an explosive fastball that reaches the upper 90s.

Notable Achievements[edit]

Further Reading[edit]

  • Mandy Bell: "Jackie serves as inspiration for McKenzie: 23-year-old righty discusses discrimination, speaking up with Cleveland youth", mlb.com, April 15, 2021. [1]
  • Mandy Bell: "McKenzie (10 K's) in midseason form in '23 debut", mlb.com, June 4, 2023. [2]

Related Sites[edit]

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