With only a few weeks left before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, Hopkinsville’s Easton McGee is looking at the 2026 season with promise.
McGee, a 6-foot-7, right-handed pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization, is being called an “under the rader, bullpen breakout performer” by the Brewerfanatic.com.
The Hopkinsville High School product said he had seen the report but wasn’t sure what the 2026 season had in store.
McGee spent the majority of 2025 with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate Nashville Sounds. He was called up to pitch for the Brewers four times during the summer. It was tough mentally, but McGee said he took the most of his opportunities.
For the Sounds, McGee pitched in 32 games with one start. He struck out 53 and walked only 19 in 47 2/3 innings of work and had a 3.59 ERA.
He pitched in nine games for Milwaukee, striking out 13 batters in 14 2/3 innings with a 5.52 ERA.
The Brewers liked what they saw in the lanky 28-year-old enough to place him on their 40-man roster to begin the 2026 season.
During the offseason, McGee said he has continued to work on his main pitches of 4-seam and 2-seam fastball, curveball, slider, cutter, and change-up. Those pitches have helped him become an effective long relief pitcher.
McGee was drafted in the 2016 fourth round by the Tampa Bay Rays after initially committing to the University of Kentucky. He played in one game for the Rays in 2022 before being picked up on Waivers by the Boston Red Sox in October of that year.
In November of 2022, Seattle purchased his contract from the Red Sox and he made his first Major League start for the Mariners in April of 2023.
It was a performance to remember as McGee held the Toronto Blue Jays hitless for 6 2/3 innings, allowing only one other baserunner on a walk.
However, he had some pain in his elbow and less than a month later, he had Tommy John surgery. He went on waivers and was picked up by the Brewers in November of 2023.
McGee then began his long road back to the majors, never giving up on his dream. He said his arm feels as good as its ever felt now.
As 2026 nears, he said he hopes his experience as a starter will serve him as he tries to make the Brewers’ roster as a long reliever.
McGee leaves for Spring Training in Arizona where he will train with the Brewers for about six weeks. He expects to be with Milwaukee or assigned back to Nashville this summer.
McGee said he will continue his offseason weight training and arm care training while spending time with his family before heading off for the chance of a lifetime.
Photo from Brewcrew.com