Tulsa Drillers left-hander Julio Urias has been drawing all kinds of accolades for his pitching acumen again this season. That is, for his pitch selection, his command, his maturity for an 18-year old, his confidence and rightfully so. He has had a remarkable start to his 2015 season.

Running parallel to Urias’ season has been one carved out by another Tulsa Drillers starting pitcher. Until April 11th most Dodger fans and perhaps Drillers fans would not have heard of William Deck McGuire who goes by his second name “Deck”. Three games into the current season , following starts by Chris Anderson and the aforementioned Julio Urias, McGuire was introduced to the Tulsa faithful during a home game against the San Antonio Missions. He responded with six innings of one hit ball picking up his first win in the Texas League.

Deck McGuire signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers shortly before the 2015 regular minor league season began. He announced his signing on Twitter: “And it begins… Thanks to the @Dodgers for the amazing opportunity! 15 hours from now the 2015 season will begin in Tulsa, OK …”

The Richmond, Virginia native had been drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 2010 First Year Player Draft, 11th overall, one spot in front of present Dodger catcher Yasmani Grandal who was selected by the Cincinnati Reds.

McGuire’s pre-draft report suggested he might be an early pick: “McGuire may not have the highest ceiling of the pitchers in this draft class — he profiles as a No. 3 type starter — but he might be the safest college arm to choose from. He has a good three-pitch mix and excellent command that comes in a big, durable body. He’s always been successful and has shown the ability to compete and win even without his best stuff. While he’s not an ace in the making some teams might look for, he should be the type of advanced arm that can get to the big leagues in a hurry and be a very important innings-eater in the middle of a rotation. That might not be sexy, but it’s likely to get McGuire drafted early on Draft Day.”

Signed out of Georgia Tech the 6’6” 220 lb. right-hander was selected to the 2009 First Team All-America (Collegiate Baseball) as well as the 2009 Second Team All-America (Baseball America).

Deck McGuire’s first year as a professional in 2011 started out as he no doubt had expected. Between the A+ Dunedin Blue Jays and AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats he posted a 7-4 record along with a 2.78 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 125.1 innings.

The next three years presented a roller coaster type ride for McGuire. He spent two seasons with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and had perhaps his most challenging season in 2012 when he seemed to be abandoned by his command.

In 2013 he lowered his ERA by a full run and struck out 143 in 157 innings. However, his bumpy ride continued again in 2014 as he pitched well in 60.1 innings again with the Blue Jays New Hampshire affiliate but struggled with the Buffalo Bisons of the AAA International league. In July he was traded by the Blue Jays to the Oakland Athletics and was assigned to the Sacramento River Cats of the AAA Pacific Coast League. Before the start of the 2015 season the Athletics released him.

McGuire now 25 years of age was immediately assigned to the AA Tulsa Drillers upon being signed by the Dodgers. It seemed likely he was signed to add some depth to the Drillers staff and the Dodgers farm system. However, perhaps there was more to it than meets the eye. When he was acquired by the Athletics in July, 2014 current Dodger General Manager Farhan Zaidi was the Assistant General Manager and Director of Baseball Operations of the Oakland franchise. Did Zaidi know something that many others might not have picked up upon?

In his first four starts with the Drillers Deck McGuire has recorded four wins to lead the league in victories. His ERA of 1.33 along with 27 innings pitched and 0.74 WHIP are all among the top three in the league. Opponents are batting .183 against him. Perhaps the most revealing statistic is his 20 strikeouts compared to only only three walks.

McGuire is 4-0 with a 1.33 ERA in his first four starts with the Tulsa Drillers.
(Photo credit – Rich Crimi)

Tulsa manager, Razor Shines was surprised with McGuire’s first start on April 11th. “I had never seen him pitch, not even in the spring, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Shines said. “That was as good of a performance as you could ask for. I thought he had great command of his breaking ball and spotted the fastball very well. It was a very pleasant surprise. I can’t wait to see him pitch again.”

McGuire likes to work quickly and it showed in his first four outings. He even felt that the newly installed 20 second pitch clock offered him some advantage. In an interview with Kevin Henry of the Tulsa Drillers Examiner
He explained: “It didn’t bother me at all,” McGuire smiled. “I really think it helps me a lot. It keeps the batter in the box and there’s only so much time that he can take to try to stall or get me out of a rhythm.”

There is something different about Deck McGuire this year. Perhaps it is confidence in a new environment or simple maturity as a pitcher. Is there a drillers pitching coach Matt Herges effect in play? McGuire points to the challenges and failures of the past crediting them as having helped to transform himself as a pitcher and person. “I’ve been able to accept things game by game and sometimes failure is a part of that,” McGuire explained. “You learn how to handle things.”

Merely days before the 2015 season started McGuire was waiting for an opportunity to continue his career. He naturally was excited and most likely surprised to be approached by the Dodgers. “It’s exciting to get an opportunity with the Dodgers and come here to Tulsa. You always want to get the season off on the right foot, especially when it’s with a new organization, put your best put forward.”

His game plan is to be consistent and stay ahead of the hitters early in each at bat. It’s a plan that is a tried and true one and is obviously working well for him in 2015. At this rate he will be trying it out with the Oklahoma City Dodgers in the not too distant future.