Billy McKinney’s journey in Major League Baseball (MLB) is a testament to perseverance. The Pittsburgh Pirates have become the ninth organization to give him a shot, and despite the frequent transitions, McKinney has continued to push forward with his career. Reflecting on his time in baseball, McKinney shared with John Perrotto of PGHbaseballnow.com during spring training that his career has had its share of ups and downs. He emphasized the importance of staying present, taking things one day at a time, and maintaining a positive mindset despite the challenges that come with the profession. For McKinney, baseball is not just a job but a passion, despite the mental and emotional toll it can take.
McKinney’s baseball career began with high expectations. Drafted by the Oakland Athletics as the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft, he received a $1.8 million signing bonus, the same amount awarded to Aaron Judge, who was drafted eight spots later by the New York Yankees. At just 19 years old, fresh out of Plano West High School in Texas, McKinney was seen as a promising prospect. His smooth swing and natural ability to put backspin on the ball had scouts predicting he would develop into a .300 hitter with 20-25 home runs per season. Baseball Prospectus was particularly optimistic about his future.
However, eleven years later, McKinney’s career has not unfolded as many had hoped. He currently holds a .209 career batting average with 34 home runs in 311 major league games, a stark contrast to the success of his draft peer, Judge. Injuries have also plagued McKinney’s career, including one that sidelined him for a significant portion of the 2024 season. Despite these setbacks, McKinney has shown resilience. In 40 games with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, he managed to hit .295 with five home runs, a performance that ultimately led to his call-up by the Pirates.
The Pirates now present an opportunity for McKinney to find the stability and success that has eluded him throughout his career. As he approaches his 30th birthday, McKinney has paid his dues in the minor leagues and deserves a chance to make his mark in the majors. His career has been marked by frequent trades, not because of any fault of his own, but due to the high expectations that have accompanied him throughout his journey.
McKinney’s career began on a promising note when he hit .326 in his first 55 games in the low minors in 2013. However, in 2014, as the Athletics were contending for a playoff spot, they traded McKinney, along with Addison Russell and Dan Straily, to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitchers Jason Hammel and Dan Samardzija. The Athletics made it to the postseason but lost in the AL Wild Card game. Cubs fans, meanwhile, were optimistic about the deal’s potential.
Before the Cubs’ World Series win in 2016, McKinney was traded again, this time to the Yankees as part of a package that included Gleybar Torres, Rashad Crawford, and Adam Warren in exchange for relief ace Aroldis Chapman. The Cubs went on to win the World Series that year, ending a 108-year championship drought. McKinney recalled the surprise of being traded while getting an oil change, learning of the move through a text message. The following year, he had the unique experience of being teammates with Chapman in New York.
In 2018, McKinney found himself on the move once again, this time to the Toronto Blue Jays along with infielder Brandon Drury in exchange for veteran pitcher J.A. Happ. Happ proved instrumental for the Yankees, going 7-0 down the stretch and helping the team win the AL Wild Card game before losing to the eventual World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox.
McKinney’s major league career officially began in 2018 with the Yankees, but after batting .227 in 50 games, he was sent to Toronto. Over the next three seasons with the Blue Jays, McKinney batted .230 in 122 games. His career took another turn in 2020 when the Milwaukee Brewers claimed him off waivers. He was traded to the New York Mets in May 2021, and two months later, he was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers. After the 2021 season, McKinney was sold to the Texas Rangers, who then granted him free agency just eight days later.
McKinney returned to the Athletics in 2022, playing 22 games before joining the Yankees once again in 2023 for 48 games. The Pirates acquired his contract in December 2023. Despite his extensive journey, McKinney has continued to show flashes of his potential, particularly with a standout game for the Yankees against Kansas City on July 21, 2023.
Throughout his career, McKinney has proven he can play the game, even if he has not lived up to the lofty expectations set by scouts. His story is not uncommon in baseball, where many players are acquired with high hopes only to fall short of those expectations. However, McKinney’s achievements should not be dismissed. Despite the many challenges and frequent moves, he has accomplished more in his career than most could dream of, and he now has another opportunity to prove himself with the Pirates.
