After a dazzling 2009 season in which he ended in Triple A, Zach McAllister is starting 2010 one step closer to the big leagues.
McAllister, a 2006 Illinois Valley Central graduate, was invited to start the year at the New York Yankees’ spring training camp in Tampa Bay, Fl.
“I was at my cousin’s house about three weeks ago, and I got a call from our pitching coordinator,” McAllister said. “He told me that I was tentatively invited to the camp.”
McAllister, who left for camp Feb. 2, said he feels as though his hard work is paying off.
“I was excited,” McAllister said. “It was one of those things where I felt that I got rewarded for what I have done in the past.”
The reward comes a season after he led the Eastern League with an earned-run average of 2.23 for the Double-A Trenton Thunder, as well as posted a 7-5 record with 96 strikeouts.
“I know that if I put up the numbers and pitch the way that I have been pitching, that it’s possible for me to pitch in New York,” McAllister said.
After his regular season success last year, McAllister was called up to pitch in the playoffs for the Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees.
Although he pitched only one game in the playoffs, it was a solid effort in which he gave up three earned runs and struck out three on his way to a win.
With an impressive 2009 under his belt, McAllister did not rest on his laurels in the offseason.
“I’ve been making sure that I stay in good shape, and I’ve kept working on refining my pitches,” McAllister said.
It is that hard work and previous success that McAllister takes to spring training with him while he works on trying to achieve his goal.
“I’m going with the mentality that I want to win the fifth spot on the big league club,” McAllister said. “I know it’s a long shot, but I hope that I can show them what I’m capable of. Even if I don’t get the spot, I hope to prove that if there is an injury or something down the line, that I can come in and help.”
Regardless of where he starts the season, McAllister wants to repeat his success from last year.
“I want to stay healthy and have the kind of year that I’ve had in the past,” McAllister said. “I want to improve my execution and have the belief that I can get anyone out at any level I pitch at.”
Spring training starts Feb. 17.
