Seth McClung

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #10 prospect in 2005
  McClung opened 2003 in Tampa Bay's bullpen and moved into the rotation before succumbing to Tommy John surgery in June. He returned to the mound last July and showed that he's on track to fully regain his power stuff. McClung has lost little if anything from his mid-90s fastball, and he should be back to full strength by mid-2005. His hard curveball has tight spin and sharp movement. Manager Lou Piniella loves his aggressive approach, as McClung isn't afraid to challenge hitters or back them off the plate. McClung never has shown the consistent changeup and reliable control to remain a starter in the major leagues. If he doesn't develop those attributes, he'll return to the bullpen, possibly as a closer. Contrary to his nature, McClung was determined not to rush back from surgery and every indication shows that his patience was prudent. He regained noticeable strength during the 2004 season and should return to the majors before mid-2005.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #8 prospect in 2004
  McClung opened the season in the Tampa Bay bullpen before moving into the rotation in late April. It was feast or famine as a starter, as he pitched well in three starts and got bombed in two others. His season ended in May when he tore an elbow ligament, and he had Tommy John surgery on June 26. McClung is a power pitcher with good command of his mid-90s fastball. He also throws a hard curveball with tight spin. Manager Lou Piniella liked McClung's aggressiveness. He was fined in early May for intentionally throwing at Bobby Kielty. In addition to making a comeback from ligament-replacement surgery, McClung must improve his control in order to have consistent success in the major leagues. The depth and fade of his changeup need to improve in order to give him a solid third pitch. If that doesn't happen, his future could be as a closer. The Rays hope McClung can resume pitching in the minor leagues by early June. He's determined not to rush his return, though that is contrary to his personality. If all goes well, he could be back in the big leagues during the second half of the 2004 season.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #5 prospect in 2003
  A seven-sport athlete in high school, McClung took another big step in his development by overpowering the Class A California League during the 2002 season's first month. He allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his first nine starts before hitting the skids in Double-A. At 6- foot-6, McClung is built like a power pitcher, with thick thighs and an aggressive approach. He has good command of a mid-90s fastball that has been clocked as high as 99 mph. He also possesses a plus hard curveball with excellent spin, and it's on the verge of becoming a second out pitch. The Rays love McClung's makeup and desire to succeed. McClung is still learning how to pitch. His changeup is nothing more than mediocre, which hurt him against Double-A hitters. McClung also needs to repeat his mechanics consistently while refining all aspects of his game, including his command. The Rays have hopes that McClung will develop into a special pitcher and have no desire to rush him. He'll return to Double-A to open 2003.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #6 prospect in 2002
  A seven-sport athlete in high school who signed for $350,000, McClung saw his second tour of duty in the South Atlantic League last season. He ranked third in the league in strikeouts and held hitters to a .231 average. McClung throws bullets, with a fastball clocked as high as 99 mph. The pitch consistently sat in the 93-95 mph range, and managers rated it as the SAL's best heater. He has the makings of a plus curveball. McClung has a power pitcher's body, with thick thighs and excellent size. He has given up just six home runs during the past two years and is a good all-around athlete. McClung needs to improve his secondary offerings to succeed at higher levels. He worked on a circle changeup during instructional league, learning that it was more effective when he toned it down from 86-90 mph to 82-83. While his command has improved the last two years, he still can do a better job of hitting his spots. McClung is still discovering the nuances of pitching. He's expected to move one spot up the ladder this spring to Bakersfield, though a promotion to Orlando might not be far away.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #21 prospect in 2001
  McClung rebounded from a difficult first season to post a combined 2.41 ERA in 2000. McClung is an intimidating, massive and strong pitcher with a power arm. His fastball has reached 98 mph and is consistently in the mid-90s. His heater looks even better, thanks to a plus curveball that keeps hitters off balance. His changeup, conversely, needs work. McClung also must mature as a pitcher, which should come with time. He was impressive last season at Hudson Valley and overcame some early inconsistency at Charleston. While slated to return to the South Atlantic League, a promotion to high Class A later in 2001 is a distinct possibility.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked South Atlantic League #18 prospect in 2001
  McClung turned down a basketball scholarship from South Alabama to turn pro in 1999. That decision continues to look prescient, as he finished third in the SAL in strikeouts behind Wainwright and Bonser. McClung aggressively goes after hitters but sometimes relies too much on either his mid-90s fastball or his plus curveball. With the proper balance, McClung was nearly unhittable and looks and acts a lot like a future closer. His changeup is an ongoing project and was used with mixed results. The Devil Rays appreciate McClung's outgoing nature but have worked with him on managing his emotions on the mound, a weakness in his first two pro seasons.
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  Ranked New York-Penn League #12 prospect in 2000
  By the end of the year, McClung was out of the league and at Class A Charleston. But no one forgot the teenager’s fastball. Though he projects as a reliever, he was used as a starter by Hudson Valley and dominated. "He was very impressive with that power arm," Arnold said. "I think he'll be a setup-closer type guy. He touched 97 and showed the makings of a good breaking ball with his power curveball. It had some depth on it. He really has a good mentality to be a reliever."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #98 prospect in 2003

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  By the end of the year, McClung was out of the league and at Class A Charleston. But no one forgot the teenager’s fastball. Though he projects as a reliever, he was used as a starter by Hudson Valley and dominated. "He was very impressive with that power arm," Arnold said. "I think he'll be a setup-closer type guy. He touched 97 and showed the makings of a good breaking ball with his power curveball. It had some depth on it. He really has a good mentality to be a reliever."