Sports stats

AA Winnipeg Goldeyes

Two-Time Champion, Strikeout King Return to Goldeyes

January 21, 2020 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release


WINNIPEG, MB - The Winnipeg Goldeyes re-signed left-handed pitcher Kevin McGovern on Tuesday.

A member of the Goldeyes' 2016 and 2017 American Association championship teams, McGovern returns for a fifth season in Winnipeg. McGovern was 12-7 with a 3.85 ERA in 20 starts and one relief appearance in 2019. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native logged 126.1 innings, struck out 95, walked 39, and allowed just 10 home runs. McGovern finished second in the American Association in wins, sixth in innings pitched, and ninth in wins above replacement among pitchers (2.8). The 30-year-old pitched at least six innings in 14 of his 20 starts and allowed four or fewer earned runs in 15 of them. McGovern was especially strong during the Goldeyes' playoff chase, posting a 3.07 ERA over his final 12 starts. On July 24th versus Texas, McGovern set a franchise record with his 436th strikeout, and ran his Goldeyes' total to 467 by the end of the season.

Following his last start with the Goldeyes, McGovern received an opportunity with the Atlantic League's Southern Maryland Blue Crabs where he had a 2.16 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 25.0 innings. All told in 2019, McGovern combined for 13 victories, a 3.57 ERA, 117 strikeouts, and a career-high 151.1 innings pitched. It marked the sixth consecutive season in which McGovern reached 100 or more strikeouts.

"I'm glad Kevin has decided to play again," said Goldeyes' manager Rick Forney. "He's coming off a fantastic season. Hopefully he can give us the same production that he has provided since he first joined us in 2016."

McGovern is heading into his ninth season of professional baseball, and along with returning right-hander Victor Capellan, will become one of just seven pitchers in franchise history to wear a Goldeyes' uniform for a fifth year. McGovern is 53-42 lifetime with a 3.95 ERA in 153 games, 126 of them as a starting pitcher.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound McGovern was pivotal during Winnipeg's back-to-back title runs. In 2016, McGovern pitched a complete game, two-hitter versus Fargo-Moorhead on the final calendar day of the regular season (September 5th) to clinch the American Association wild card. Exactly two weeks later, McGovern took the mound on three days of rest and won the clinching Game Five of the American Association Championship Series at Wichita, allowing two earned runs over six-plus innings. The following year, McGovern was an American Association All-Star, finishing third in the league with a 2.56 ERA, and helping the Goldeyes to another championship.

McGovern has several more significant milestones within reach. The left-hander is currently third on the Goldeyes' all-time wins list, and trails Andrew "Ace" Walker by nine wins for the record. McGovern is also nine wins and 71 strikeouts behind Ben Moore for the all-time American Association record in each of those categories.

The Goldeyes now have 10 players under contract for the 2020 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during spring training, which begins May 7th.

2020 Winnipeg Goldeyes Signings

RHP Victor Capellan

IF Wes Darvill

OF Willy Garcia

RHP Garrett Harris

C Dustin Houle

LHP Mitchell Lambson

LHP Kevin McGovern

OF Jonathan Moroney

IF Darren Seferina

RHP Andrew Vernon

Notes: Texas AirHogs' infielder Luo Jinjun was McGovern's record-setting strikeout on July 24th...Along with McGovern and Capellan, Donnie Smith (1998, 2000-06), Dan Guehne (1996-2000), Zach Baldwin (2008-12), Walker (2008-12), and Chris Salamida (2010-14) are the only other pitchers to have spent at least five seasons with the Goldeyes...McGovern has allowed three earned runs or less in 56 of his 83 starts as a member of the Goldeyes...Salamida (40) ranks second on the Goldeyes' career wins list in-between Walker (47) and McGovern (38)...Tim Brown (54) ranks second on the American Association career wins list in-between Moore (55) and McGovern (46)...McGovern's 631 American Association strikeouts rank second to Moore (701)...McGovern's 6.1 cumulative wins above replacement since 2018 are tied for second among American Association pitchers during that timeframe

The Winnipeg Goldeyes open the 2020 season on May 19th on the road against the Cleburne Railroaders. The Goldeyes' 2020 home opener is on Tuesday, May 26th versus the St. Paul Saints.

For information on 2020 season tickets, 10-game mini packs, and group tickets, call the Goldeyes' office at (204) 982-BASE, or visit the Goldeyes' official website at www.goldeyes.com.

Check out the Winnipeg Goldeyes Statistics



American Association Stories from January 21, 2020


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Winnipeg Goldeyes Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central