McGowan, Kittredge Make Major League Debuts
The NECBL successfully concluded its 24th season this month but alumni keep putting the New England League in the news.
On August 22nd, former Laconia (now Winnipesaukee) Muskrat Kevin McGowan (Pictured) made his Major League debut for the New York Mets. The next day, the Tampa Bay Rays recalled former Newport Gull Andrew Kittredge, who made his Major League debut on July 18th.
The NECBL now has had 10 players make their Major League debuts in 2017. 51 alumni have played in the Big Leagues this season and 141 graduates have reached the Majors overall.
New Hampshire native and Franklin Pierce product McGowan appeared in nine games for the 2012 Muskrats, striking out 26 in 16.2 innings. He was selected by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2013 Draft. He earned South Atlantic All-Star honors for Savannah the next season. McGowan had a 4.06 ERA in 44 appearances for Triple-A Las Vegas at the time of his call up.
Kittredge hailed from the opposite coast as McGowan. The University of Washington and Spokane product played for the 2009 Newport Gulls, leading them to an NECBL championship. An All-NECBL selection, Kittredge went 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA and posted a 41:3 strikeout to walk ratio in 37 innings of work.
Originally a Seattle Mariner farmhand, Kittredge was traded to the Tampa Bay organization in December 2016. He flourished at Triple-A Durham this year, posting a 1.55 ERA in 38 games at the time of his call up.
The NECBL congratulates Kevin and Andrew on their significant accomplishments.
