Mike McCoy (baseball)

Mike McCoy

McCoy playing for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011
San Diego Padres
Utility player
Born: April 2, 1981
San Diego, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 9, 2009 for the Colorado Rockies
Career statistics
(through 2012 season)
Batting average .190
Hits 64
Home runs 3
Runs batted in 20
Stolen bases 21
Teams
McCoy during his tenure with the Pawtucket Red Sox, triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox, in 2014

Michael Howard McCoy (born April 2, 1981) is a professional baseball utility player in the San Diego Padres organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays. In his career, McCoy has played every position, with the exception of catcher and first base.[1]

Early life

McCoy attended Grossmont High School in El Cajon, California before playing for the San Diego Toreros baseball team from 2000-2002.[2] As a junior McCoy led the Toreros in doubles (16) and stolen bases (26), helping USD capture the 2002 West Coast Conference title with teammates like Jason Marian (baseball).

Professional career

McCoy was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 34th round (1,032nd overall) of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. The infielder logged time at all three levels of the minors during his six-year run in the Cardinals system, capturing an Appalachian League All-Star nod for Johnson City in 2002 and leading Springfield in stolen bases (30) in 2006.

On May 22, 2006, McCoy was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles for future considerations and was moved again to the Colorado Rockies on July 19, 2006 for Juan Castro.

McCoy hit .307 with five triples, 102 runs and 40 steals for the Sky Sox. On September 8, 2009 he was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox and debuted in MLB one day later on September 9 against the Cincinnati Reds. Over the 2009-2010 offseason he was designated for assignment, and was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays. He made their 2010 opening day roster, appearing in 46 games.[3] In 2011 he made the opening day roster for the second season in a row.

On June 11, 2011, McCoy made his first major league pitching appearance (he also pitched 3.2 innings in a minor league game in 2009[4]) in a 16–4 loss to the Boston Red Sox, throwing a perfect 9th inning.[5] His repertoire appeared to include a fastball topping out at 86 mph, a changeup, a curveball,[6] and a knuckleball at low 60's to mid 70's.[7] McCoy became the fifth position player to pitch for the Blue Jays, with the last being Frank Menechino on August 28, 2004.[4] He was optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas on June 23 to make room for Eric Thames on the 40 man roster.[8]

On May 29, 2012, McCoy was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. Eric Thames was sent down to make room for McCoy.[9] McCoy was returned to Triple-A Las Vegas 51s on June 25. McCoy was called up to the Jays on August 11 after Colby Rasmus tweaked his groin for the second time that month.[10]

McCoy was designated for assignment on November 20, 2012.[11] On November 30, he was sent outright to the Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons.[12] McCoy spent the 2013 season with the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons.

McCoy was signed to a minor league contract with spring training invitation by the Boston Red Sox on November 15, 2013.[13] He spent the 2014 season with the Pawtucket Red Sox, and was granted free agency on November 4, 2014.

The San Diego Padres signed McCoy to a minor-league contract on February 23, 2015.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Mike McCoy | Toronto Blue Jays | Major League Baseball | Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  2. ↑ "University of San Diego Baseball Players Who Made it to a Major League Baseball Team". Baseball-Almanac.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Mike McCoy | Toronto Blue Jays | Major League Baseball | Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Blue Jays utilityman Mike McCoy tosses perfect inning in blowout loss | bluejays.com: News". Toronto.bluejays.mlb.com. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  5. ↑ "Red Sox rout Blue Jays 16-4". Sports.yahoo.com. 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  6. ↑ "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Mike McCoy". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "Red Sox vs. Blue Jays". 2011-06-11.
  8. ↑ "Bautista moves to third, Thames called up | bluejays.com: News". Toronto.bluejays.mlb.com. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  9. ↑ Jays send Thames to Triple-A, recall McCoy
  10. ↑ Davidi, Shi (August 10, 2012). "Romero decent but Jays fall to Yankees". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Blue Jays roster moves". Toronto.bluejays.mlb.com. 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  12. ↑ "Blue Jays send Carreno, McCoy to triple-A". Sportsnet.ca. 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
  13. ↑ Speier, Alex (November 15, 2013). "Red Sox announce minor league deals for LHP Tommy Layne, utility man Mike McCoy". weei. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  14. ↑ Adams, Steve (February 26, 2015). "Minor Moves: Ransom, McCoy, Diaz, Gaudin". Retrieved February 26, 2015.

External links

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