With the 177th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, the Chicago White Sox selected right-handed pitcher Kade McClure from the University of Louisville.
McClure had a stellar three-year college career, including a 2016 season that saw him finish with an impressive 12-0 record on the mound in 15 appearances. In 2017, McClure would strike out 111 batters over 18 starts and end the year with a solid 8-4 record.
When the White Sox drafted McClure, they knew that they were drafting a winner. After all, McClure finished his career at Louisville with an impressive 21-5 record, while recording 225 total strikeouts and a cumulative ERA of 3.29.
McClure had talent, but wasn’t immediately given the chance to put it on display until the 2019 Minor League season. McClure only pitched 11 total innings across the 2017 season, and had his 2018 season cut short by a season-ending knee injury. In 2019, he would finally get a real shot, starting 10 games for the formerly known White Sox Low-A affiliate Kannapolis Intimidators.
Through those 10 contests, McClure finished 2-3 and a 3.09 ERA. He performed well enough at the Low-A level to earn a call-up to the High-A Winston-Salem Dash. McClure would start in 12 contests for the Dash, finishing the season with a 2-3 record and 3.39 ERA.
Following a 2018 season that was plagued by injuries, McClure proved in 2019 that he was capable of performing at the Low-A and High-A levels. It was no surprise that on May 3, 2021, McClure was assigned to the Double-A Birmingham Barons, where he has started in 14 contests and pitched 62 innings this season.
To say the least, it has been an up-and-down season for McClure at the Double-A level. He has only recorded two wins on the mound, and his ERA stands at 4.19. This is the first time McClure’s ERA has topped 4.00 since his freshman season at Louisville in 2015.
In McClure’s first two starts of the season versus the Biloxi Shuckers and Pensacola Blue Wahoos, he only allowed two earned runs across ten innings. However, in his next start against the Montgomery Biscuits on May 19, McClure would allow nine earned runs in less than two innings of pitching, leading to an ugly 16-4 loss to the Biscuits.
Despite his subpar performance versus Montgomery, McClure would bounce back in his next start versus the Rocket City Trash Pandas. In five innings, he only allowed one run, but because the Barons failed to score a single run of their own, McClure took the loss on the mound, his second of the season. If Birmingham would have scored a couple runs in this game, McClure’s record would be sitting at a solid 3-3.
Instead, McClure’s record this season is 2-4, but there is no question that he finally began to find his rhythm on the mound following his first two losses. In 14 starts this season, McClure has allowed only one earned run or less, seven times.
He has also salvaged his ERA. After giving up nine earned runs versus the Montgomery Biscuits on May 19, McClure’s ERA stood at 8.74. Fast forward to July 29, and his ERA sits at a passable 4.19.
Ever since his rough performance against Montgomery, McClure has shown great poise on the mound. He hasn’t been perfect, as he has allowed four or more base hits in 10 of his 14 starts, but he is pitching with confidence and beginning to puzzle opposing batters. His pitching has constantly improved as the season has progressed, which is what the White Sox organization has been hoping for.
McClure is currently the White Sox No. 23 prospect. He is continuing to adjust to the Double-A level, and although it hasn’t been seamless, it is safe to say that he has finally found his footing on the mound.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see McClure suit up for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights sometime in the near future. Until then, he will be linked with the Barons, who are currently tied for first place in the Double-A South North Division with the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Photo credit: Caleb Probst/FutureSox
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