As the summer months heat up, so do the rising stars in the MILB. One prospect to add to that category is the Houston Astros Alex McKenna, who is having by far the best minor league season in his career.
McKenna, who was initially drafted in 2015 out of Bishop Alemany High School (California) in the 38th round by the Minnesota Twins, decided to play college ball instead and in 2018 was drafted by the ‘Stros in the 2018 MLB Draft of the 4th round, a 132 overall pick out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The former Mustang standout started his Collegiate career in 2016, where he played in 45 games (all starts), and sprayed the park with six doubles, two triples, six home runs and 27 RBI’s in 184 at bats.
In 2017, the Lancaster, California native stepped up his game and batted .360 through 56 games, with 11 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 31 RBIs in 236 at bats. In his last college season, McKenna batted .339 in 57 games, with 15 doubles, five triples, five home runs and 29 RBIs. His strong 2018 season, put him on the Astros radar which allowed them to grab him for their organization.
After becoming a professional ball player in 2018, McKenna played in Short Season A Ball and batted .328 in 116 at bats spanning 32 games, and then was promoted to Full Season A Ball, and batted .271 in 48 at bats. Between both leagues he totaled eight doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 28 RBIs.
At the start of the 2019 spring season, McKenna was placed on and off of the injured list with a strained hamstring and did not start his season until mid June. After returning, the 6’2″ centerfielder appeared in 65 games, batting just .252, with seven doubles, a triple, home run and 13 RBIs. The low output in his stats was a result to lingering issues with his hand as he dislocated a finger and fractured his knuckle.
With the 2020 season suspended due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, McKenna worked out with an Independent league team and in 27 games he batted .271, with five doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 13 RBIs spanning 96 at bats.
Fast forward to the 2021 season, as McKenna started off with the Class A Advanced Asheville Tourists and through 41 games he batted .305, with eight doubles, two triples and has launched 13 dingers, tied for the High A East League, and the most in a season for his short minor league career. The extra work in a 2020, allowed McKenna to stay on track and now he is reaping in the benefits with his strongest numbers since he started pro ball.
On June 29th, McKenna was promoted to the Corpus Christi Hooks and he made his presence known right away as he made a superb diving stop on a line drive to his right in centerfield, and went 1 for 3, with a walk in his Double-A debut.
WELCOME TO DOUBLE-A, ALEX MCKENNA!!! 🦸🏻@Alexjmckenna goes full Superman to save a run and end the inning! pic.twitter.com/dt3qPr8vPu
— Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks) July 1, 2021
With the Hooks in second place at 23-26 and entering a new month of baseball, McKenna will look to be the spark they need as they try and turn their season around.
The #29 Prospect on the Astros Top 30 list, is being projected to debut in the majors in 2022, and with how quickly he has adapted to the leagues he has been sent to, there isn’t any doubt that we will all be able to witness him make his impact with the big club in a few short years.
We at LOD wish him much luck!
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