10
Loading video...
By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Mark McGwire pitched early in his career at the University of Southern California before shifting primarily to first and third base due to his exceptional power-hitting ability.
Max McGwire, the slugger's son, never switched.
Read More on MLB
Even as a senior at St. Louis University in 2026, McGwire was still pitching in relief for the Billikens' baseball team. The 23-year-old pitched 16.2 innings as a reliever, struck out 14 batters, and compiled a 5.40 ERA. He also hit nine home runs across two seasons with St. Louis, playing a little first base and a little right field when he wasn't on the mound.
When the A's signed the younger McGwire to a minor league contract this week, they listed him as a right-handed pitcher on his official transactions page.
However, according to Jason Burke of Athletics Roundtable, the A's will employ McGwire exclusively as a hitter.
View content
https://bsky.app/profile/jasonburke.bsky.social/post/3mrxszxmzhs2z
Oakland drafted Mark McGwire out of USC in 1984. Over the next 12 years, McGwire hit the first 363 of his 583 career home runs in green and gold.
In 1997, McGwire was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. One year later, McGwire hit a then-record 70 home runs.
...
For now, Max McGwire will follow in his father's footsteps.
McGwire was born in October 2002, one year after his father retired as a player. Undrafted out of high school, McGwire began his collegiate career at Oklahoma in 2022, when the Sooners reached the NCAA National Championship game. He transferred to the University of San Diego in 2023, and to St. Louis in 2025.
More news: Former Yankees, A’s Pitcher Dies
If genetics are working in the younger McGwire's favor, they didn't fully manifest in college. As a senior, he slugged .346 with two home runs in 31 games. He is an outstanding fielder, however. As a college junior in 2025, McGwire did not commit an error in 47 chances.
The A's aren't just banking on bloodlines. They're banking on McGwire showing improvement as a hitter by focusing solely on hitting.
More news: Tigers’ Tarik Skubal Trade Talks Should Drag Out, Former GM Says
The A's officially assigned McGwire to their Arizona Complex League affiliate, where he will compete with and against other undrafted free agents and many more who were chosen ahead of him in the draft.
If it's possible for Mark McGwire's son to be considered an underdog, the A's are giving him the opportunity.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines