Jake McGee Returns to Reno to Coach Next-Gen Pitchers
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RENO — May 9, 2024 — After retiring from professional baseball, veteran Jake McGee has returned to Reno to coach young baseball players. The former World Series champion, and a 2004 Reed High School graduate, hopes to pass on his knowledge through Performance Pitching. McGee’s experience and knowledge will be invaluable to up-and-coming pitchers.
World Series Champion Jake McGee Returns to Reno to Cultivate Next-Gen Pitchers
After a stellar 13-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Jake McGee, a 2004 Reed High School graduate, has returned to his roots in Reno, nevada. McGee, who clinched a World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, is now dedicated to mentoring aspiring baseball players through Performance Pitching, in partnership with the Northern Nevada Baseball Club [[1]].
A Full-Circle Moment
McGee’s journey took him across the nation, playing for six different teams, including important stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado rockies. His career also included time with the San Francisco Giants, allowing him to pitch closer to his Northern Nevada home.Despite the allure of other locations, McGee and his wife chose to return to Reno after his retirement.
We’ve decided to come back after traveling everywhere when I was playing.Me and my wife, both of our families are hear, too, and we wanted to get out of Tampa, Fla., and get the seasons back in Reno and see some snow and stuff, so it’s been good since we’ve been back.
Jake McGee
Giving Back to the Community
McGee is impressed by Reno’s growth since his days as a high school athlete. He now aims to contribute to the community by sharing his extensive baseball knowledge with young players.
Performance Pitching, his new venture, utilizes advanced technology like Trackman to provide detailed analysis of a pitcher’s mechanics and ball movement. This technology offers insights that were unavailable during McGee’s early career.
I worked out there in the offseasons and there was always a great group of pro guys and collage guys and always a good atmosphere there. we decided to get a Trackman with him to be able to use that and wanted to give back to the community and do some lessons and help the kids grow here.
Jake McGee on partnering with Northern nevada Baseball Club
Embracing Modern Baseball Analytics
mcgee acknowledges the evolution of baseball analytics and its impact on player growth. He experienced firsthand the benefits of data analysis with teams like the Rays,Dodgers,and Giants.
That’s huge because when I first started there was nothing like that in high school and even in the minor leagues. But I was very blessed to come up with Tampa. Tampa was one of the first teams to have all of the charts you’d get after the game, which is really cool. And then at the end of my career with the Dodgers and giants, they would just send you videos and slow-mo videos just to learn and adapt with the game.
Jake McGee on the impact of baseball analytics
A Career Highlight: The 2020 World Series
McGee’s MLB career spanned 650 games, with a 32-28 record, a 3.71 ERA, and 79 saves. His crowning achievement came in 2020 when he won the World Series with the Dodgers. This chance arose after his release from the Rockies and a subsequent call from Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, who had previously drafted McGee with the Rays.
Navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, McGee drove cross-country to join the dodgers, showcasing his commitment to the team.
I was very excited for that, and I think it was like 14 or 15 hours and just almost went straight through and made it and had to do all the COVID tests and passed and made the roster.
Jake McGee on joining the Dodgers during the pandemic
McGee appeared in 24 regular-season games with a 2.66 ERA and contributed in four playoff games during that memorable season.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Now,at 38,McGee is transitioning into coaching,eager to share his experiences and insights with young players in northern Nevada. He credits his early development to local influences like his pitching coach Dennis Banks and his high school coach John Phenix. McGee also coaches his daughter’s softball Little League team.
There’s always been a lot of talent in baseball here in Reno and just to learn from them and kind of teach them things I’ve learned over my career is really cool. Working with the kids around here and helping them and teaching them how to get to the next level will be huge. Whether it’s getting a scholarship for college or getting drafted and going pro, I think it’s going to be really cool to see. I’m looking forward to helping kids and seeing them grow over the years.
Jake McGee on his return to Reno and coaching aspirations
McGee’s contributions to the sport will be further recognized with his upcoming induction into Reed High School’s inaugural athletic Hall of Fame.
