Position: RHP
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 220 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 02/12/1996
College: University of Louisville
Drafted: 6th round, 177th Overall, 2017 (White Sox)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: $330,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 3
Overview
The White Sox took McClure in the sixth round out of Louisville. He threw several pitches that were regarded as average or so, and profiled as a back-of-the-rotation starter. McClure served as a starter in the minors until he got to AAA, then moved to the bullpen in 2022. He’s 6’7”, but doesn’t throw exceptionally hard. His fastball sits around 93-94 mph pitching in multi-inning relief, and he adds a cutter, slider and curve. He’s generally had solid walk and strikeout rates, but he’s gotten hit increasingly hard as he’s moved up, including gopher ball problems in the upper minors. The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal for 2024.
2017-20
McClure had little trouble in brief stays at three lower levels after being drafted. In 2018, he made eight starts in Low A, with a 3.02 ERA, but tore a ligament in his left knee and missed the rest of the season. In 2019, McClure divided his time between High A and AA, pitching well at both levels. He had a combined ERA of 3.25, although his K rate was only 7.3. He didn’t pitch in the pandemic season.
2021-23
In 2021, McClure spent the majority of the season in AA, putting up a 3.82 ERA and 10.1 K/9 over 15 starts. By that time, he was 25. He moved up to AAA for nine starts and got hammered for a 6.81 ERA. The Sox moved McClure mostly to relief in AAA in 2022 and he had an ERA of 4.97, with home runs being a big problem; he allowed 17 in 87 innings. The Sox traded McClure to San Francisco after the season.
With the Giants in AAA, McClure made just nine relief appearances, mostly struggling. In mid-May, he went out with an unknown injury and did not return. He became a free agent after the season.
Stats
Transactions
June 13, 2017: Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 6th round, 177th overall pick; signed June 19.
December 22, 2022: Traded by the Chicago White Sox to the San Francisco Giants for Gregory Santos.
November 6, 2023: Became a free agent.
February 3, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.