Shenandoah University’s "Big Mac" McGrath commits to AAU USA International Collegiate Summer Team
Press Release | Jan. 7, 2018
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—The AAU USA International Collegiate Summer Team received a key commitment from veteran international collegiate player Mac McGrath (Shenandoah University, VA.).
High on coaches Chris Cummings and Mike Graham’s New Year’s wish list, the do-it-all Dunkirk, Md., college sophomore announced that he's committed to the AAU USA International Collegiate Summer Team for summer 2018’s international series vs Ireland and Scotland.
McGrath’s commitment is good news as the collegiate summer baseball season nears. At 5’11,” 205 lbs., Mac McGrath (OF/U) is one of the most dynamic athletes in the AAU USA International Collegiate Summer Team 2018 recruiting class so far. McGrath’s versatility is the primary reason the coaches are so high on the player.
He plays for the Hornets in the NCAA Division III Old Dominion Athletic Conference under Coach Kevin Anderson.
“We are thrilled to have ‘Big Mac’ back,” Graham said. “He’s a great weapon and will add exciting depth for us. Mac is very versatile, a real Swiss army knife.
“He is an extremely talented ballplayer with great potential for further development and improvement, too, which coaches love. This recruiting class is full of fantastic student-athletes who are not only great players, but also great people. We're very excited to get to work with each and every one of these players."
Ireland will host the AAU USA International Collegiate Team as part of the Ireland International Baseball Festival at Ashbourne International Baseball Centre, County Meath, July 10-15. Opponents include the Ireland National Team, Irish Baseball League All-Star Team, USA Military Blue Devils, and non-tournament matchups to be announced later.
Scotland will host the AAU USA International Collegiate Team for an international friendly series at Edinburgh and Glasgow July 5-10. Opponents in Scotland include the Scotland National Team and the Edinburgh (Giants, Diamond Devils, Cannons) and Glasgow (Galaxy, Comets) clubs of the Scotland National Baseball League.
This will be the stud outfielder’s third summer playing in Europe with coaches Graham and Cummings. He played summers 2017 and 2016 with the coaches for the Sant Boi Barcelona Falcons (Spain) in the Collegiate Baseball League Europe (CBLE) in Great Britain, France, Spain, Netherlands, and Belgium.
The Falcons won back to back CBLE regular season championships playing in the league affiliated with the NORTHWOODS LEAGUE, one of America’s premier summer collegiate baseball leagues comprising teams of top college players from the Midwestern United States and Canada.
As a CBLE All-Star selection, McGrath played against the French National Team. He received the 2017 Falcon Award for the player who best exemplifies the character, spirit, dedication, hard work, unbridled passion for the sport, and contributions essential to the success of team baseball.
He joined Sant Boi Barcelona in 2016 out of Northern HS (Owings, Md.) and AAU Baseball’s travel-select Maryland RBI advanced skills development team.
Playing for Northern HS, McGrath faced top level competition in Southern Maryland and was a Maryland Division II Unified Weightlifting State Champion. In AAU Baseball, he played as a member of Graham and Cummings's Maryland RBI 19U advanced skills development team that won a record fourth Maryland AAU State Championship in 2017.
“He's lightning in a bottle,” Graham said, “basically the ultimate wild card type player. His frame and athleticism really jump out. His huge upside gives him potential simply too much for any opponent to overlook.”
In CBLE last year, McGrath was a hot .306 (11-for-36), including a streak in which he hit safely in four consecutive games. What makes his performance at the plate unique is that in addition he reached base a remarkable 14 additional times on 6 walks, 3 hit by pitch, 3 fielder's choice, and 2 reached base on error. His OBP was .444.
The pro standard rule of thumb is a walk total equal to at least 10 percent of at bats (e.g., 100 at bats, 10 walks). In his two collegiate summer seasons, McGrath wrecked that statistical norm with a wicked 26 percent.
“First, I always thank my mom for putting me in the position that I am today, getting the kinds of looks and opportunities I am,” McGrath said. “I’d also like to thank my coaches for putting me in the best position to succeed and for believing in me and supporting my opportunity to play college baseball.”
McGrath becomes commitment No. 7 for the AAU USA International Collegiate Summer Team 2018 roster. He is the fifth returner for another year of international baseball, including veterans Jimmie Gentry (Albright College, Pa.), Daniel Keating (Wellington HS, Fla.), Connor Graham (Anne Arundel CC, Md./Virginia Wesleyan University), and CJ Cummings (University of Mary Washington, Va.).
Drew Ventrelle (University of Chicago, Ill.) and Joe Schipsi (Cabrini University, Pa.) also have committed to the AAU USA International Collegiate Team, and others are considering.
"I don't want to be just another player," McGrath said. "I want to one day be remembered for being a good teammate and what I accomplished. I know that's saying a lot given all the great players who have come through the program, but that's the kind of challenge I set for myself."
"You only get to do this for a short time in life—play ball,” he said. “I'm really committed. I have a good relationship with the coaches, who really push me to be the best person and player I can be.
“Like Coach Graham says, 'Just keep pushing forward and good things happen.’ He understands you only live once and don’t waste the opportunities that come your way,” McGrath said. “We’ve got great coaches, and I feel like the stage is set for me to go back again, continue to learn and develop, see more of the world, and make an impact.”
About the Team
The AAU USA International Collegiate Team is a premier international collegiate summer team followed by college coaches and pro scouts. The roster includes players ages 18-23 representing all college divisions. The experience offers high-level baseball and cultural exposure to the world at the same time.
For more information about the AAU USA International Collegiate Team, visit: https://aauusaict.wixsite.com/aauusabaseball, http://www.playaaubaseball.com/aau-usa-international.
To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan and follow AAU USA International Collegiate Team baseball on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AAUGlobal and Twitter at: https://twitter.com/AAUGlobal.
The AAU USA International Collegiate Team is recruiting for summer 2018. Apply to play at https://aauusaict.wixsite.com/aauusabaseball.
