Shane McClanahan, a left-handed pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, has quickly become one of the most exciting young arms in baseball. In his short career, McClanahan has already made a name for himself as a dominant force on the mound.
His impressive statistics, including a 2.92 ERA and 335 strikeouts in just 289-2/3 innings, speak to his talent and potential. But what makes McClanahan so good?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the factors that contribute to his success, including his physical tools, mental makeup, and development within the Rays organization.
By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of why McClanahan is such a special talent and what sets him apart from other pitchers in the league.
Physical Tools
Mcclanahan’s Fastball and Slider
Shane McClanahan possesses some of the best physical tools in baseball. His fastball is consistently clocked in the upper 90s and can touch triple digits, while his slider is a true swing-and-miss pitch with sharp, late movement.
The combination of these two pitches alone is enough to make McClanahan a formidable opponent for any batter.
How He Uses His Pitches to Keep Batters Off-balance?
But what sets McClanahan apart is how he uses these pitches to keep batters off-balance. He has an excellent command of his fastball and can locate it on either side of the plate, which sets up his devastating slider.
Batters have a hard time picking up the ball out of his hand, and by the time they realize what’s coming, it’s often too late to react.
His Dominant Performances
McClanahan has had several dominant performances that showcase his physical tools. In his major league debut in the 2020 playoffs, he threw a scoreless inning in relief against the Yankees, striking out two batters.
He followed that up with a strong outing against the Astros in the ALCS, allowing just one run in 3-2/3 innings. In the 2021 season, he recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts in a start against the Rangers, and later in the year, he struck out 10 batters in a game against the Red Sox.
These performances demonstrate just how dominant McClanahan can be when he’s on the mound.
Mental Makeup
How Mcclanahan Handles Pressure?
A. In addition to his physical tools, Shane McClanahan’s mental makeup is another key factor in his success. He has shown an ability to handle pressure and perform well in high-stress situations, which is a valuable asset for any pitcher.
His Ability to Perform in High-stress Situations
One example of McClanahan’s ability to perform under pressure came in his major league debut in the 2020 playoffs. He entered the game in a high-leverage situation, with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning.
Despite the pressure, McClanahan struck out his first batter faced to get out of the jam. He followed that up with a scoreless inning against the heart of the Yankees’ lineup.
Quotes From Mcclanahan and/or Coaches About His Mental Toughness
Rays manager Kevin Cash has praised McClanahan’s mental toughness, saying, “He’s got a lot of confidence in his ability. He’s got a lot of competitiveness to him.
He’s got a lot of poise for a young player.” McClanahan himself has spoken about the importance of mental preparation, saying, “It’s a big thing for me to go out there and just trust my stuff, not try to do too much, and just have confidence in what I have.” These quotes demonstrate the mental fortitude that has helped make McClanahan such a successful pitcher.
Development Within the Rays Organization
The Rays’ Approach to Pitching Development
The Tampa Bay Rays are known for their innovative and data-driven approach to player development, and pitching development in particular. Their approach emphasizes individualized instruction and a focus on developing each player’s strengths.
Other Successful Rays Pitchers
The Rays have a track record of developing successful pitchers, including Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Charlie Morton. Snell won the Cy Young Award in 2018, while Glasnow and Morton have both been among the most dominant pitchers in baseball when healthy.
How the Rays Have Specifically Helped Mcclanahan Develop His Skills?
The Rays have helped McClanahan develop his skills in several ways. For one, they have worked with him to refine his mechanics and improve his command.
They have also helped him develop a more effective changeup to complement his fastball and slider.
Additionally, the Rays have utilized data and analytics to help McClanahan better understand his strengths and weaknesses as a pitcher. This has allowed him to make more informed decisions on the mound and tailor his approach to each individual batter.
Finally, the Rays have given McClanahan the opportunity to develop his skills at his own pace. Rather than rush him to the majors, they allowed him to spend time in the minor leagues and gain valuable experience before bringing him up to the big leagues.
This patient approach has paid off, as McClanahan has been able to make a smooth transition to the majors and establish himself as one of the top young pitchers in the game.
Shane McClanahan in his major league career so far:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ERA | 2.92 |
| Wins | 22 |
| Losses | 14 |
| Strikeouts | 335 |
| Innings Pitched | 289-2/3 |
| WHIP | 1.14 |
| Opponent AVG | .207 |
| Opponent OPS | .617 |
| WAR | 5.7 |
Table Name: Shane McClanahan Major League Career Statistics (as of May 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Shane McClanahan’s college career like?
McClanahan attended the University of South Florida, where he was a dominant force on the mound. In his sophomore year, he led the nation in strikeouts per nine innings, averaging 15.29 K/9. He was also named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year that season. In his junior year, he posted a 5-6 record with a 3.42 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched.
How did Shane McClanahan get drafted?
McClanahan was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft, with the 31st overall pick. He was the first pitcher selected by the Rays in that draft.
Has Shane McClanahan dealt with any injuries in his career?
McClanahan has had some injury concerns in the past. In college, he underwent Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss his entire freshman year. Additionally, he missed some time during the 2019 season with shoulder fatigue. However, he has been relatively healthy in his professional career so far.
What are Shane McClanahan’s goals for the future?
McClanahan has spoken about his desire to continue improving and developing as a pitcher. He has also expressed a desire to help the Rays win a World Series, and to become one of the best pitchers in baseball.
To Recap
Shane McClanahan’s success on the mound is the result of a combination of factors. His physical tools, including a dominant fastball and slider, make him a tough pitcher to hit.
But what really sets McClanahan apart is his mental makeup, as he has shown an ability to perform under pressure and maintain his poise on the mound.
Additionally, McClanahan has benefited from development within the Rays organization, which emphasizes individualized instruction, data and analytics, and a patient approach to player development.
All of these factors have contributed to McClanahan’s rapid rise through the ranks and his emergence as one of the top young pitchers in baseball.
With his combination of talent, mental toughness, and development, McClanahan is poised to continue his success in the coming years and establish himself as one of the premier pitchers in the game.
