The saying "third time's the charm" may not come to fruition for everyone, but Morehead State baseball alum Patrick McGuff is really hoping it's a true statement for himself.
After being drafted by the Minnesota Twins out of MSU in 2016 and pitching for the club's rookie and single-A ball clubs (Elizabethton [Tenn.] and Cedar Rapids [Iowa]), McGuff was released in 2017, only to find a spot with the independent Frontier League Evansville Otters in 2018. He did so well the Cincinnati Reds picked him up to finish the season in their organization's minor league circuit.
Despite a respectable showing for the Dayton (Ohio) Dragons, McGuff was released by the Reds but got another chance with the Otters this season in 2019. He dominated the Frontier League with a 5-0 record and a 1.05 ERA (including a complete-game one-hitter, one out away from a no-hitter) before the Arizona Diamondbacks recently gave the Hamilton, Ohio, native his "third time's the charm" opportunity by signing him to affiliated ball once again.
He is now a member of the Diamondbacks' short season affiliate Missoula (Mt.) Ospreys.
"I'm very excited to get another opportunity to play affiliated baseball," he said. "I've heard a lot of great things about the Diamondbacks' organization, and I'm excited to get going with them."
McGuff's professional journey has a plethora of mentors, but he credits Morehead State head coach Mike McGuire with being a giant part of his success.
"MSU did a great job preparing me for professional baseball. Honestly while I was at MSU I didn't ever really think playing professionally was a big possibility until the end of my senior year," he said. "But regardless of the reality for me to play or not, I believe coach McGuire and his staff prepare every player as if they are going to play."
McGuff joins an elite group of professional players recently from the Eagle program. Since McGuire took the reigns in 2013, nine players have been drafted by Major League organizations. McGuff was a 36th round pick of the Twins in 2016.
McGuff's foray into collegiate baseball began near his hometown. He suited up for Sinclair Community College in 2013 and 2014 before becoming an Eagle in 2015. He became an important midweek game starter before his shining moment of starting the OVC Tournament championship game against top seed Southeast Missouri.
While he didn't get the decision, McGuff held the Redhawks in check, and the Eagles won their first tournament title since 1993. He got a championship ring.
In 2016, McGuff's role increased, garnering four OVC weekend starts. He fashioned a 4.93 ERA and increased his velocity into the 90s - an important factor into hearing his name called in the MLB Draft.
"Coach McGuire preaches and instills a lot of the right attributes it takes to play professional baseball," he said. They (MSU staff) deserve as much credit as anyone for the success that I've had in my career."
McGuff is also grateful for the chances to shine that the Evansville Otters gave him. While some may not consider playing independent baseball to be the pinnacle of a career, it gives players like McGuff the opportunity to hone their craft and keeps their hopes up of one day getting an opportunity like McGuff is receiving now.
The fun atmosphere surrounding the Frontier League games and other independent teams is pure Americana. Pure baseball.
"I really enjoyed my time with the Evansville Otters," he said. "They are a class-act organization, and I couldn't thank them enough for having me and giving me all the opportunities to move onto affiliated baseball. The coaching staff there is second to none, and I truly did enjoy working with every single one of them."
"Three strikes and you're out" is another common baseball term, but trust one thing, Patrick McGuff has the skills and the personal drive to make that other "third" term used in the first paragraph of this story his legacy.