Player Profile: McCanna continues to progress as playoffs draw near

By Nate Foy/Broadcaster

A typical day in the life of Falmouth Commodores pitcher Kevin McCanna is certainly a productive one. McCanna works mornings for the maintenance crew at New Seabury Country Club, a golf course in Mashpee. As is customary with jobs at a golf course, it makes for early mornings.

“The hardest part is waking up, I got to be there at six [in the morning],” McCanna said. “I work about six to 12. It’s a lot of fun. The guys are great.”

On the field, McCanna, who owns a 2-1 record while playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League, has been productive throughout the season for the Commodores.

McCanna last pitched in the Commodores 14-3 win over the Brewster Whitecaps on July 22. In that start he earned the win, tossing six innings while only allowing two earned runs and striking out four batters.

A large part of McCanna’s success is credited to his ability to spot the ball and keep his walks to a minimum. McCanna had 17 walks in 40 innings pitched in his freshman season at Rice University. His walk numbers are not exactly down this summer, with 11 walks in 20.2 innings pitched, however, four of those walks came in one inning against Wareham. With the exception of that appearance, McCanna has seen plenty of improvements in his game.

“I think I’ve gotten better keeping the ball down in the zone, hitting my spots,” McCanna said. “Everyday there is progress, so it’s getting better.”

McCanna loves playing with his teammates in Falmouth, and also expressed some confidence in his team heading into the playoffs.

“It’s such a great group of guys, and we play really well together,” McCanna said. “We are having a great year so far, so I really think we can make a run for the championship as well.”

McCanna is also looking forward to this upcoming season at Rice, where he is a teammate of fellow Falmouth players Zech Lemond and Leon Byrd Jr.

The righty out of The Woodlands, Texas, said that his success for next season depends on his development in the Cape League as well as his progression in the fall.

“Hopefully I get back and have a successful fall,” McCanna said. “That’s very important. Then when I get back in the spring, hopefully I will be a starter, and take the team to Omaha.”

Before McCanna can focus on his college season, the Commodores are hoping that he can help them capture their first league title since 1980. With an already proven offense, pitchers like McCanna will be called upon to capture that elusive title.