Wikipedia

Reese McGuire

Reese Jackson McGuire (born March 2, 1995) is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox.

Reese McGuire
McGuire with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020
Free agent
Catcher
Born: (1995-03-02) March 2, 1995 (age 29)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 6, 2018, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.252
Home runs16
Runs batted in82
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
18U Baseball World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2012 Seoul Team

McGuire was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft, and was traded to the Blue Jays in 2016. He made his MLB debut for Toronto in 2018. The Blue Jays traded McGuire to the White Sox before the 2022 season, and the White Sox traded him to the Red Sox during the 2022 season.

Early life

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McGuire was born March 2, 1995, in Seattle, Washington,[1] as the middle of Scott and Robin McGuire's three sons.[2] Growing up playing Little League with his older brother Cash, McGuire would switch between pitcher and catcher. When Cash's preteen growth spurt made him a more frequent pitcher, Reese took on more frequent catching duties.[3][4] In 2012, McGuire was named the USA Baseball Player of the Year for his performance with the United States national under-18 baseball team. Playing as a catcher, third baseman, first baseman, left fielder, and designated hitter, McGuire led Team USA with a .400 batting average and 11 runs batted in (RBI) over 35 at bats, and he captured a gold medal with the team at the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship in Seoul.[5] As a senior at Kentwood High School in Covington, Washington, McGuire batted .436 with four home runs and 20 RBI.[6]

Professional career

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Pittsburgh Pirates organization (2013–2016)

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McGuire with the Bradenton Marauders in 2015

As a high school catcher, Major League Baseball (MLB) analysts praised McGuire's defensive ability, and analysts projected he would be taken in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft.[6] The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him 14th overall, the highest draft selection for a high school catcher since 2008.[7] At the time, McGuire had committed to play college baseball for the San Diego Toreros.[8] He signed with the Pirates on June 18, earning a $2.36 million signing bonus in the process, and was assigned to the Rookie-level GCL Pirates.[9] In his professional baseball debut on July 4, McGuire recorded four hits, three RBI, and two doubles.[10] After hitting .330 with 11 doubles and 21 RBI in 46 Gulf Coast League games, McGuire was promoted to the Class A Short Season Jamestown Jammers at the end of August.[11] He appeared in only four New York–Penn League games, going 4-for-16 with a walk in the process.[12]

McGuire was one of several highly regarded prospects to join the Low-A West Virginia Power for the 2014 season.[13] As a South Atlantic League prospect, McGuire demonstrated at 1.8-second pop time behind the plate, as well as consistent contact hitting.[14] Batting .277 with one home run and 19 RBI through the midway point of the season, including a 19-game hitting streak in May, McGuire was named a South Atlantic League All-Star.[15] He finished the season batting .262 with three home runs and 45 RBI in 98 games.[12] After the season, McGuire added 15 pounds of muscle and told reporters that he wanted to "come up with a consistent approach at the plate and stick with it" in 2015.[16]

McGuire opened the 2015 season with the Class A-Advanced Bradenton Marauders of the Florida State League (FSL).[17] After hitting .259 to start the season, with 10 stolen bases and throwing out 14 opposing base stealers, McGuire was named an FSL All-Star in June.[18] He finished the season batting .254 with 15 doubles and 34 RBI.[12] While McGuire's defensive ability received praise from coaches, his offense was not as well-developed by the end of the season. After two consecutive seasons seeing his batting average decrease, McGuire joined the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League to improve his offense. In 14 games there, he hit .294 with five extra-base hits.[19][20]

McGuire was one of 12 Pirates prospects invited to attend spring training with the team in 2016.[21] After being reassigned to minor league camp in March,[22] he opened the season with the Double-A Altoona Curve.[23] One of the youngest players on the team, McGuire showed more consistency and discipline at the plate, drawing walks and keeping his batting average above .250, although he still lacked power.[24] In 266 at bats across 77 games, he hit .259 with one home run and 37 RBI.[12]

Toronto Blue Jays (2016–2021)

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On August 1, 2016, McGuire, fellow prospect Harold Ramírez, and pitcher Francisco Liriano were traded from the Pirates to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for pitcher Drew Hutchison.[25] He finished out the season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, batting .226 with five RBI in 15 games and 53 at bats.[12]

 
McGuire with the Buffalo Bisons in 2018

McGuire returned to the Fisher Cats for the 2017 season, but was limited to only 45 games after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee that required arthroscopic surgery to repair.[26] After suffering the knee injury in early May, McGuire was able to return to Double-A at the start of August,[27] and shortly after his return, McGuire's home runs in three consecutive games earned him Eastern League Player of the Week honors for the week ending August 20.[28] In his limited appearances in 2017, McGuire batted .295 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 149 at bats.[12]

On November 20, 2017, the Blue Jays added McGuire to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft.[29] He played for the Buffalo Bisons of the Triple-A International League in 2018.[30] On September 6, 2018, the Blue Jays promoted McGuire to the major leagues.[31] He made his MLB debut that night against the Cleveland Indians and hit a double in the game for his first career hit. He hit his first career home run on September 26 against the Houston Astros.[32] In 14 major-league games, McGuire batted .290 with two home runs and four RBIs.[33]

McGuire did not make the 2019 opening day roster and was optioned to Triple-A.[34] McGuire joined the Blue Jays in late July after Luke Maile was injured, and appeared in 30 games throughout the season, hitting .299 with an .872 OPS.[35] Overall with the 2020 Blue Jays, McGuire batted .073 with one home run and one RBI in 19 games.[36]

On April 1, 2021, McGuire was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays.[37] Clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Jays' alternate training site,[37] before being assigned to Triple-A Buffalo on May 3.[38] On May 5, McGuire was selected to Toronto's active roster.[39] With Toronto in 2021, McGuire played in 78 games, batting .253 with one home run and 10 RBIs.[33]

In parts of four seasons with the Blue Jays, McGuire made 141 major-league appearances, batting .248 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs.[33]

Chicago White Sox (2022)

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On April 3, 2022, the Blue Jays traded McGuire to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Zack Collins.[40] McGuire played in 53 games for Chicago, batting .225 with no home runs and 10 RBIs.[33]

Boston Red Sox (2022–2024)

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On August 1, 2022, the Boston Red Sox acquired McGuire and Taylor Broadway in exchange for reliever Jake Diekman.[41][42] McGuire played 36 games for the Red Sox in 2022, batting .337 with three home runs and 12 RBI.[33] Overall during 2022, McGuire batted .269 with three home runs and 22 RBI in 89 major-league games.[33]

On January 13, 2023, the Red Sox and McGuire reached agreement on a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.[43] He served as Boston's backup catcher until June 22, when he was placed on the injured list with a right oblique strain.[44] McGuire was activated on August 1, [45] and hit his first home run of the season later that day.[46] In 72 total appearances, he slashed .267/.310/.358 with one home run and 16 RBI.

On January 12, 2024, McGuire once again avoided salary arbitration with the Red Sox by signing a one-year contract with the team.[47] On April 7, McGuire drove in a career high of five RBI in a 12–2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.[48] On July 24 against the Colorado Rockies, a benches-clearing brawl occurred after Rockies pitcher Cal Quantrill yelled at McGuire, "you jacked off in a fucking parking lot, you dumb fuck", a reference to McGuire's 2020 arrest for indecent exposure.[49]

On July 28, McGuire was designated for assignment by the Red Sox.[50] In 52 games for Boston, he batted .209/.280/.295 with three home runs and 18 RBI. Red Sox manager Alex Cora explained that the team made a change at the backup catcher position in consideration of roster balance, changing from a left-handed batter (McGuire) to a right-handed batter (Danny Jansen).[51] McGuire cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Worcester Red Sox on August 2.[52] He elected free agency on September 30.[53]

Personal life

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McGuire's older brother, Cash, played second base for Seattle University. His younger brother, Shane, played baseball at the University of San Diego as a catcher, was taken in the 2021 MLB draft, and is now in the Oakland Athletics organization.[54]

In February 2020, McGuire was charged with a misdemeanor count of indecent exposure after he was found masturbating in his car in a shopping center parking lot in Dunedin, Florida, near the Blue Jays spring training complex.[55] He pleaded no contest to a charge of disorderly conduct and was fined $500.[56]

References

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  1. ^ "Reese McGuire Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  2. ^ "Kentwood grad McGuire comes home as Blue Jays catcher". Kent Reporter. August 25, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  3. ^ Smith, Christopher (September 8, 2022). "How'd Boston Red Sox's Reese McGuire become a catcher? His Little League 'man-child' brother had something to do with it". The Republican. Springfield, MA. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  4. ^ Petrella, Steven (June 18, 2013). "McGuire signs, capping busy weeks for high schooler". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Glassey, Conor (February 1, 2013). "Reese McGuire wins USA Baseball Player of the Year Award". Baseball America. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Jenks, Jayson (June 5, 2013). "Kentwood High catcher could be a first-round draft pick". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  7. ^ Jenks, Jayson (June 6, 2013). "Kentwood's Reese McGuire drafted 14th by Pirates". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  8. ^ "Kentwood's Reese McGuire named Gatorade Washington Baseball Player of the Year". Covington Reporter. May 29, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  9. ^ "Kentwood High catcher Reese McGuire signs with Pittsburgh Pirates". Kent Reporter. June 18, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  10. ^ "Kentwood grad Reese McGuire off to hot start in minor league baseball". Kent Reporter. July 17, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  11. ^ Menendez, Jenn; Sanserino, Michael (August 31, 2013). "Pirates notebook: McCutchen, Molina battle for NL MVP". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Reese McGuire Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  13. ^ Bragg, Tom (April 1, 2014). "West Virginia Power: Pirates' prospects flow through Charleston". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  14. ^ Lee, David (May 17, 2014). "Pittsburgh Pirates first-rounder Reese McGuire shows talent behind plate". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  15. ^ "Looking Back: 2014 season in review". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. September 11, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  16. ^ Klaas, Mark (March 5, 2015). "Former Kentwood star continues to grow in the Pirates' system". Kent Reporter. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  17. ^ Dill, Jason (April 13, 2015). "Top prospects McGuire, Meadows headline 2015 roster". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  18. ^ March, Nate (June 8, 2015). "Five Marauders Named Florida State League All-Stars". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  19. ^ Dill, Jason (February 22, 2016). "Stout defense leads catcher Reese McGuire into first Pirates major league camp". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  20. ^ Everett, Brad (November 23, 2015). "Pirates prospect McGuire hopes to reach major league status soon". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  21. ^ Nesbitt, Stephen J. (January 4, 2016). "12 minor-leaguers invited to Pirates spring training". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  22. ^ Allmann, Bill (March 14, 2016). "Pirates reassign eight from camp, including pitcher Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow". The Beaver County Times. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  23. ^ Brink, Bill (April 6, 2016). "Rosters for Pirates full-season minor league affiliates". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  24. ^ "McGuire helps Curve". Altoona Mirror. July 27, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  25. ^ "Blue Jays trade Drew Hutchison to Pirates for Francisco Liriano, prospects". Sportsnet. The Canadian Press. August 1, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  26. ^ Wolf, Jason (April 16, 2019). "Bisons' Reese McGuire a defensive maestro behind the plate". The Buffalo News. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  27. ^ "Blue Jays' Reese McGuire: Returns to Double-A". CBS Sports. RotoWire. August 4, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  28. ^ Murray, Tyler (August 21, 2017). "Reese McGuire Wins Player of the Week". MiLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  29. ^ Davidi, Shi (November 20, 2017). "Jansen, Tellez among players added to Blue Jays' 40-man roster". Sportsnet. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  30. ^ Moritz, Amy (April 12, 2018). "Reese McGuire gets first taste of spring baseball in Buffalo". buffalonews.com. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  31. ^ "Blue Jays recall McGuire, Shafer from triple-A Buffalo". Sportsnet. September 6, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  32. ^ "Blue Jays give John Gibbons a win in his final game in Toronto". CBC. September 26, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  33. ^ a b c d e f "Reese McGuire Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  34. ^ "Blue Jays' Reese McGuire: Optioned to Triple-A". CBSSports.com. March 19, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  35. ^ "McGuire makes case for more permanent role". MLB.com. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  36. ^ "Reese McGuire Stats, Fantasy & News | Toronto Blue Jays". MLB.com.
  37. ^ a b "Blue Jays Outright Reese McGuire, Breyvic Valera". April 4, 2021.
  38. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays' Triple-A Buffalo Bisons set Preliminary Roster". Boxscore World Sportswire. May 3, 2021.
  39. ^ "Blue Jays Select Reese McGuire, Move Julian Merryweather to 60-Day IL". May 5, 2021.
  40. ^ Merkin, Scott (April 3, 2022). "White Sox, Blue Jays swap catchers Collins, McGuire". MLB.com. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  41. ^ Stebbins, Tim (August 1, 2022). "White Sox add bullpen help, acquire Diekman from Red Sox". Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  42. ^ Speier, Alex (August 1, 2022). "Christian Vázquez, Jake Diekman dealt as Red Sox make trio of Monday moves". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  43. ^ McWilliams, Julian (January 13, 2023). "Red Sox agree on contracts with their remaining five arbitration-eligibles". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  44. ^ "Red Sox's Reese McGuire: To IL with oblique strain". CBS Sports. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  45. ^ "Red Sox's Reese McGuire: Activated, starting Tuesday". August 2023.
  46. ^ "Returning after month-long IL stay, Reese McGuire makes an impact right away". August 2, 2023.
  47. ^ "Red Sox's Reese McGuire: Avoids arbitration with Boston". CBSSports.com. January 12, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  48. ^ Cerullo, Mac (April 7, 2024). "Reese McGuire has career-high five RBI, Red Sox beat Angels 12-2". Boston Herald. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  49. ^ O'Donnell, Ricky (July 24, 2024). "Rockies-Red Sox brawl over 'car jacking' joke at Reese McGuire". SBNation.com. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  50. ^ Touri, Amin (July 28, 2024). "Game 104: Yankees at Red Sox lineups and notes". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  51. ^ Smith, Christopher (July 28, 2024). "Red Sox' Alex Cora explains move to trade for catcher, DFA Reese McGuire". masslive.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  52. ^ "Red Sox Outright Reese McGuire, Yohan Ramirez". mlbtraderumors.com. August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  53. ^ "Transactions".
  54. ^ "Shane McGuire - Baseball". University of San Diego Athletics. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  55. ^ McLarty, Christine (February 13, 2020). "Blue Jays' Reese McGuire charged with indecency in Dunedin". Wfla.com. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  56. ^ "Blue Jays' Reese McGuire: Fined for off-field incident". CBS Sports. July 7, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
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