LHP Jake McGee remembers two years ago when he and his buddy, RHP Wade Davis, were sitting side-by-side in lockers at Progress Energy Park during their first spring training.
Now, McGee feels hes back to 100 percent. He said hes throwing 95 mph, and his changeup is better than ever. The Sparks, Nev., native is eager to show just that in spring training and said hes being told that the Rays would like to get him some work as a back-of-the-bullpen type guy.
Id like that role a lot, actually, he said. Just the adrenaline going out and knowing I have only one inning for three outs. Pitch for pitch, I can give it all I got.
Though Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said they havent given up on McGee as a starter, he acknowledges he has the upside to pitch really well in the back part of a game. No one is anointing McGee the future closer; its too early to predict that. But McGee is willing to give the bullpen a shot .
This will be a defining year for Jake, said Mitch Lukevics, Rays director of minor-league operations. Depending on how he does and how he responds will determine his role in the future.
Lukevics, who worked for years in the Yankees minor-league system, noted that Mariano Rivera had to overcome a similar injury earlier in his career. Rivera entered the big leagues as a starter but has turned into a future Hall of Fame closer.
Lukevics said hes not comparing Rivera to McGee, who has yet to throw a pitch in the big leagues, just pointing out that pitchers can come back from Tommy John surgery stronger than before. Its not a death sentence anymore, he said.
McGee, who returned in July and made 16 minor-league starts, said he has gotten over one of the biggest hurdles: the mental one of not worrying about it happening again, as hes throwing the ball free and easy, without fear.
And he is still using his friend, Davis, as motivation. I know Im going to get there eventually, McGee said. I just had a setback, and I knew if I would have been healthy, Id be doing the same stuff he was doing. Weve been at the same level every year and fed off each other. ..Hes succeeding up there and I know I can do it, too.
PROSPECT WATCH: With two of the Rays top prospects, OF Desmond Jennings and RHP Jeremy Hellickson, recently added to the 40-man roster, the question is: When will they break onto the big-league roster?
Lukevics said though both had great 2009 seasons, they could use some more seasoning in the minors. But Lukevics said Hellickson progressed further than he expected , especially in improving his changeup (which became a factor), and he wouldnt be surprised if the right-hander makes an impact at some point next season .
