Kentwood grad McGuire makes MLB debut with Toronto Blue Jays

Hits double, throws out Ramirez trying to steal

Kentwood grad McGuire makes MLB debut with Toronto Blue Jays

Former Kentwood High star Reese McGuire smashed a double to center during his Major League Baseball debut with the Toronto Blue Jays against the Cleveland Indians.

McGuire, 23, started at catcher and batted eighth in the Sept. 6 game. McGurire doubled off reliever Dan Otero in the ninth inning. He also threw out – from his knees – Jose Ramirez trying to steal second base in the fourth. Ramirez entered the game ranked third in the American League with 29 steals and was caught for just the sixth time.

Cleveland beat Toronto 9-4.

“It’s everything I dreamed of, except the win, but I’m just happy to be here,” McGuire said to the Toronto Star newspaper.

Cleveland tossed the ball from McGuire’s double to the Toronto dugout. He told MLB.com that the ball will be displayed at his home for years to come.

His parents, Scott and Robin McGuire, traveled from Kent to Toronto to see their son’s debut.

“It was just awesome to see them here,” McGuire said to MLB.com. “Knowing that they skipped out of work and popped on a plane. They weren’t too bummed about that.”

McGuire, who bats left and throws right, is the third Kentwood graduate to play in the majors. Pitcher Austin Voth made his debut in July with the Washington Nationals. Matt Hague made his debut in 2012 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A 2013 Kentwood graduate, McGuire was drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft by the Pirates. He was the 14th overall picked and signed a contract that included a $2.3 million bonus. McGuire had received a college scholarship to play baseball at the University of San Diego, but decided to turn pro.

Pittsburgh traded McGuire to the Blue Jays in 2016. In 96 games this year with Triple-A Buffalo, McGuire batted .233 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs. The 6-foot-1 McGuire batted .436 his senior season at Kentwood with four home runs and 20 RBIs. He was named the 2013 Gatorade Washington Player of the Year.

McGuire is the middle of three brothers who played at Kentwood. Oldest brother Cash McGuire played baseball at Seattle University. Youngest brother Shane McGuire is a sophomore first baseman at the University of San Diego where he earned Freshmen All-American honors this year from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

In addition to the three MLB players, Kentwood has produced six other professional athletes, including Rodney Stuckey, NBA; Courtney Vandersloot and Lindsey Moore, WNBA; Ernie Conwell and Mike Karney, NFL; and Cam Weaver, Major League Soccer.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Dayna Vi (Jr.) wrestling and Brandon Tagle (Jr.) basketball take home this weeks awards.

Kentwood’s Jessica Ajayi dribbles the ball up the floor. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood girls basketball drops fourth straight

Team falls to Riverside for first time since 2017. Head Coach Jordan Nero: ‘We’ll find a way, we always do.’

t
Hundreds participate in Kent Christmas Rush run/walk

Seattle’s Nathan Morrisson wins 10K; Kent’s Travis Houser captures 5K

Graphic provided by KSD.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentridge

Genesis Miller (Flag Football) and Gio Moimoi (Basketball) take home this weeks award.

Veronica Garcia gives an interview after winning the 2A girls 400-meter final at the 2024 Washington State Championships at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma. (Screenshot from Runnerspace.com video)
Proposals seek new rules for transgender athletes in WA schools

Other proposals target student-athlete transfer rules and girls flag football.

Tyanna Sims drives to the basket against Auburn in the loss. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Trojans sweep aside Kentwood in doubleheader

Both boys and girls basketball teams lose to Auburn in NPSL opening play.

Kentridge girls soccer surprised the three signees at Kentridge. Photo provided by @ETDPI on Instagram.
National Signing Day for Kentridge | Photos

Four Chargers offically signed to play college sports.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.