Trey McGough on being drafted by his hometown team and what the future holds
Trey McGough grew up in Johnston, Pennsylvania, just an hour and twenty-minute drive from Pittsburgh. In 2019, he fulfilled a childhood dream when the Pirates selected him in the 24th round of the MLB draft. Three years later he is one call from the majors but for the 24-year-old, the 2019 draft is something he will never forget.
“It was the step in the right direction for a dream come true,” said McGough. “That was the team I followed growing up and being part of it now and seeing the behind the scenes of the organization is really cool. The potential to be in the majors for my hometown team is exciting.”
In his first professional season, McGough built on his success in college and posted a 3.86 ERA in 18 games. The 24-year-old also struck out 41 batters in 32.2 innings. Working mainly out of the bullpen, he limited opponents to a .240 batting average and only allowed two home runs.
As the Mount St. Mary’s product has moved through the minors, he has improved at every level. In 2021, he made 19 starts between two levels and his ERA inched closer to 3.00.
“My first season taught me the longevity of the game,” said McGough. “It’s different when you are younger and playing three days a week. In the pros, it’s every day. We are at the field at one in the afternoon, and sometimes we don’t leave until 11. Then with each level, the competition gets better.”
In 2022, McGough moved closer to the majors as he started the season in Triple-A. In eight games, he posted a 3.06 ERA. However, his promising season ended early due to Tommy John Surgery. It is an experience he has learned a lot from.
“It’s made me look back at my life in general,” said McGough. “I’m a firm believer in everything happens for a reason, so now it’s about flipping the switch from why this happened to me in a bad way to okay what can I learn from this to turn into a positive on and off the field.”
While his 2022 campaign was cut short, the former 724th overall pick created excitement for the future. Opponents were hitting .227 against McGough, and he recorded a career-high two holds. Through 50 games in the minors, he has a 3.31 ERA and is one step away from accomplishing his dream
“This offseason I am focusing on my mobility on top of getting stronger from the rehab, “said McGough. “If you add those two together, I should have a long and healthy career.”
In a minor league system full of talent, McGough has flown under the radar to a degree. However, his numbers are hard to ignore. While his MLB debut has been put on hold, he is excited about what the future holds for Pittsburgh.
“They are all great dudes, and I praise the Pirates for drafting good people. There hasn’t been a person in the organization that I dislike. It’s a sight to see guys like Roansy play. Even though we are competing for the same job, we have grown that bond where we root for each other. Some of those guys are a lot of fun to watch.”