Macay McBride Stats & Scouting Report

IP	103
ERA	4.369
WHIP	1.631
BB/9	5.592
SO/9	8.563

Full name Joseph Macay McBride
Born 10/24/1982 in Augusta, GA
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Screven County
Debut 07/22/2005
Drafted in the 1st round (24th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2001 (signed for $1,340,000).

View Draft Report

McBride is listed as 6 feet and might be closer to 5-foot-9, but his size won't prevent him from becoming a first-round pick. After all, he's lefthanded and throws 93-96 mph with life to match his velocity. His heavy fastball has exceptional action, as it both tails and sinks. He also has a hard breaking ball and a changeup, changes speeds and knows how to pitch. He has maintained his stuff throughout the spring, fanning 14 in seven innings in late May to clinch Screven County High's third consecutive state regional 2-A title. McBride is stocky but athletic and showed hitting ability as a first baseman. He's committed to Georgia, and scouts compare his body to that of former Bulldogs star Derek Lilliquist, though Lilliquist never threw as hard. While McBride isn't projectable, his stuff doesn't need to get any better--just more consistent--for him to succeed as a pro.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Compared to Billy Wagner when he was an overpowering lefthander--he was the South Atlantic League pitcher of the year in 2001 and led the Carolina League in strikeouts the following year--McBride isn't going to fulfill those expectations. But he has emerged as a strong lefthanded reliever. He initially moved to the bullpen after struggling in Double-A during 2004, and found a permanent home there when he was promoted to Triple-A last May. McBride is a fastball/slider pitcher who became more aggressive with his low 90s heater in Triple-A. He also made progress with his slider. At the lower levels, McBride threw an excellent changeup, but he has all but abandoned the pitch after it regressed and he moved to the bullpen. Regaining his quality changeup might make the difference between him becoming a set-up man or a situational lefty. After getting his feet wet in the big leagues last year, McBride will compete for a relief job in Atlanta in 2006.
McBride had progressed nicely after going 24th overall in the 2001 draft. He was the low Class A South Atlantic League pitcher of the year in 2002 and led the Carolina League in strikeouts in 2003. But after working out strenuously during the winter to prepare for the 2004 season, McBride lost the feel for his slider and changeup. He went 0-6, 5.61 in 10 Double-A starts before the Braves moved him to the bullpen to take some pressure off. With his secondary pitches at less than their best, McBride began working the outside corners with his low 90s fastball, which meant he was too often behind in the count. He regained the command of his best pitch, a sharp slider, and a solid changeup, and was back on the right track at season's end. After learning how to pitch on nights when he's not hitting his spots, McBride must continue to trust his stuff. He also needs to do a better job of altering the batter's eye level by working his pitches up and down in the strike zone, rather than just side to side. Atlanta still projects McBride as a starter, though he could fill a void as a quality lefty reliever in the majors. He'll return to Double-A to begin this season.
The 2002 South Atlantic League pitcher of the year, McBride continued his steady climb through the organization. He led the Carolina League in innings and strikeouts, ranked sixth in ERA and surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 22 of 27 starts. McBride's best pitch is a sharp slider that reminds some scouts of Steve Carlton's. His fastball has good movement and resides in the low 90s. His changeup has become a plus pitch. McBride knows what he's doing on the mound and mixes his three pitches with precision. He may be the most competitive pitcher in the organization. He gained velocity as the season progressed, though he has raised concerns with his fastball after throwing in the mid-90s in high school. The Braves aren't too worried because he has blossomed into a pitcher instead of the thrower he was as a prepster. McBride has spent a full season at each level. He'll spend 2004 in Greenville and could be pushing for a shot in the big leagues by 2005.
The Braves planned to start McBride at Rookie-level Danville last year before injuries hit Macon hard in early April. He proceeded to lead the South Atlantic League in ERA and earn most valuable pitcher honors. He won nine of his last 10 decisions and didn't allow an earned run in 11 of his 25 starts. The 24th overall pick in 2001, McBride has outstanding arm strength and impressive command. He throws a heavy, low-90s fastball along with a plus slider with excellent late break. His 12-to-6 curveball and changeup improved over the course of last season. McBride discovered how to set up hitters in 2002, and by the end of the season he was breaking bats with his changeup. He's aggressive yet maintains his composure on the mound. McBride is polished and mainly requires more experience. He'll focus on improving the finer points of pitching, such as holding runners on base and getting to pitcher's counts. While McBride will begin 2003 in high Class A, there's no doubt he's on a fast track to the major leagues. Few lefthanders at any level can match his stuff.
The 24th overall pick in the 2001 draft, McBride showed an advanced ability to pitch for an 18-year-old in the Gulf Coast League. He threw his hard fastball consistently in the 94-95 range, averaging 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings and not allowing a homer. Unlike most of the top pitching prospects in the Atlanta organization, McBride isn't physically imposing and isn't very projectable. Still, when a left arm can produce as much gas as McBride's can, a pitcher tends to find his way to the top. He attracted comparisons prior to the draft to Houston closer Billy Wagner, who spoke with the young lefthander about his size (5-foot-10) and approach to the game. McBride has taken much of the advice to heart. His plans now call for refining his changeup and breaking ball and improving his overall command. He also needs to pitch inside more. A strong spring will land him in the Macon rotation.

Minor League Top Prospects

After leading the SAL in ERA as a 19-year-old, McBride topped the CL in innings and strikeouts at 20. He's not projectable at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, but with his stuff he doesn't have to be. McBride's low-90s fastball and slider remained his best pitches. His curveball and change continued to improve. He challenged hitters and didn't beat himself by allowing walks or home runs. "His body type doesn't project into much more than it is," one manager said. "But he still has all the tools and he's lefthanded, so most teams would love to have him."
The Braves planned to start the 19-year-old McBride in Rookie-level Danville before injuries in Macon necessitated a promotion. McBride made the most of the situation, establishing himself as the staff ace. He did not allow an earned run in 11 of his 25 starts, won nine of his last 10 decisions, and led the league in ERA. He was the league's most valuable pitcher. McBride has outstanding arm strength and impressive command for a pitcher in his first full pro season. Known as a fastball pitcher who threw in the mid-90s in high school, McBride showed a plus slider and a changeup that improved considerably as the season went on. In a late start against Asheville, he broke three bats with his changeup. "I love lefthanders, especially lefties that throw consistently in the 90s," Mikulik said. "With the command and savvy both McBride and VanBenschoten have, those young men could reach the big leagues in a hurry."