September 20, 2024

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

When Ty McGuirk (Collingwood, Ont.), stepped onto the mound at the Rogers Centre, the third base side erupted in cheers and hollering.

Pitching at the Canadian Futures Showcase for the first time, McGuirk trotted in from the Team Royal bullpen with the sixth and seventh innings his responsibility and his family was in the stands to cheer him on.

“My family means everything to me,” said McGuirk, speaking to the Canadian Baseball Network. “To have them in the stands, cheering me on and just being there for me was huge, I cannot thank them enough for being here. They are truly my everything and I would not be here without them.”

When I asked him who was the one yelling the loudest, he answered quickly and with a huge smile, “That’s my Oma, Doris. You can’t miss her in the stands, that’s for sure.”

With a colourful sign and numerous family members cheering him on, McGuirk got to work – facing a tough Team Navy squad that held a 1-0 lead when he entered the game.

The first inning was a bit of an adjustment period for the right-hander, as a leadoff walk put a runner on first base early. McGuirk quickly erased the walk, producing a ground ball to third base that resulted in a double play to put two outs on the board.

A few more walks and a single put a couple of runs on the board but McGuirk continued to battle – getting out of the inning on a fly ball to centre field that was caught but dropped due to the centre fielder and second baseman colliding on the tough play. The inning ended with the catch being credited and McGuirk was able to catch his breath after his first inning at the Rogers Centre.

The second inning went a lot more smoothly for the Team Ontario product, as McGuirk got a quick ground ball to first base for the first out. That was followed by a pop-out to second and his lone strikeout, a painted curveball in the bottom right corner, which ended his outing on a high note. He was sitting in the mid-80s with his fastball and his offspeed pitches were generating swing-and-miss as well.

“I think the outing went well, I had a few control issues from the get-go but I just kept battling out there and really put up a strong effort in the second inning,” said McGuirk. “The guys behind me put in a great effort and a ton of great plays and I am happy with the outcome despite the runs. The catcher called a great game, too. This is just a great atmosphere to pitch in against some of the top talent across Canada.”

While McGuirk only pitched in the Showcase, the versatile Ontario native also plays the middle infield when he suits up for the Astros. He is a right-handed hitter with a compact swing and easy movement at the plate, McGuirk believes he can play on both sides of the ball moving forward.

“I love both aspects of the game, being able to control how the inning goes from the mound and then to help out your team both defensively and at the plate, it is such an exciting feeling.”

A 2026 grad, McGuirk remains uncommitted heading into the winter but still has time for any decisions that may come his way, with his family, both in the baseball community and the stands, supporting him along the way.

“I love pitching for Team Ontario, they are such a well-run organization,” said McGuirk. “I could sit here and name so many coaches within the Astros who have been instrumental in helping me get better and they were one of the first organizations to reach out when I was playing in Barrie. I will always be thankful for them.”

Regardless of where baseball takes him, one thing is for certain – his Oma is going to be the loudest one in any ballpark he plays in – something McGuirk will cherish forever.