The McKenzie File
Team: Cleveland Guardians
Height: 6-5
Weight: 165
Birthday: 8/2/1997
Fastball Velo: 92.7 mph
College: N/A
Draft: 42nd overall, 2015
Contract: Pre-Arbitration
WAG: N/A
Children: N/A
Betting Odds: +3000 to win the Cy Young, +8000 to lead the league in wins, +5500 to lead the league in Ks
Record/Accomplishments
- Was committed to Vanderbilt University before signing with Cleveland
Does Triston McKenzie have the best nickname in baseball?
Look, as a fellow skinny guy, I may be a bit impartial in my appreciation for Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie. But the dude might have the best nickname in baseball.
Dr. Stick has some of the most electric stuff in baseball, so much so that rival hitters have advised him to throw it in the zone more often–not for their own benefit, but so that he can generate more swings and misses. A5 6-5 and 165 soaking wet, it’s not hard to imagine how he got such a nickname.
Luckily, he double majored in stuff and makeup. He put up 3.6 Wins Above Replacement per FanGraphs in 2022, thanks in large part due to the 191.1 innings he threw in the regular season. Such a workload surprised even those that were fond of his prospects in the minors, but McKenzie has continued to prove he can…stick.
He’ll almost certainly attempt to gain weight with time, not only for his own durability, but for the benefits of a stronger base. More repeatable mechanics means more command, helping him live up to the challenge his opponents have tasked him with.
There’s only so much weight he can add, so expect Dr. Stick to retain the nickname for the foreseeable future. As long as it does, he’ll be in the running for nickname of the year award.