Kyle McGrath SD 2017The San Diego Padres have called up former Staunton Brave Kyle McGrath (2011)!

By my count the 203rd Valley League alumnus to make his major league debut, Kyle ascended through the minors very quickly since he was drafted in the 36th round in the 2014 draft. The reason? He has been amazing at getting hitters out (which is a pitcher’s job, after all).

Initially assigned to the Arizona League, Kyle went 1-0, 0.79, with 22 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings and a 0.618 WHIP in his first pro season. In 2015, he pitched in Double-A for one game, but spent the rest of the year at Fort Wayne of the Midwest League, where he went 3-0, 1.70, with a 0.932 WHIP and 79 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings.

Last year, in 2016, he pitched in one game in Triple-A, and went 1-0, 0.00 in 17 1/3 innings in Lake Elsinore of the California League, and 1-2, 1.29, with a 0.822 WHIP and 50 K’s in 48 2/3 innings for Double-A San Antonio.

This season, Kyle is 1-1, 2.66 at San Antonio, with a 0.845 WHIP and 27 K’s in 23 2/3 innings.

In his entire minor league career (so far), Kyle is 7-5, 1.61, with a 0.839 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9, and 10.1 K/9 in 184 2/3 innings (208 strikeouts!).

Kyle made his major league debut last night, July 30th, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He threw a clean inning while striking out 2.

Congratulations, Kyle!