McClanahan looks to recapture last season's first-half groove

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- By all accounts, Shane McClanahan showed the world in 2022 that he’s already pretty, pretty good when it comes to pitching. He started the All-Star Game, he finished among the American League leaders in several statistical categories -- including ERA, WHIP, FIP, strikeouts per nine innings and strikeout-to-walk ratio -- and he excelled on the postseason stage, albeit in a hard-luck losing effort vs. the Guardians in the AL Wild Card Series.

The scary thing for the rest of the American League? Neither McClanahan nor the Rays believe he’s hit his ceiling yet.

“He can be better,” manager Kevin Cash said. “It's definitely doable.”

It was with that mindset that McClanahan embarked on an offseason dedicated to self-improvement, motivated to reach another level. He adhered to a diligent stretching routine. He quit snacking. He limited his alcohol intake and prioritized home-cooked meals, all with an eye toward “trying to put the right things in my body.” He was already several bullpen sessions in by the time he arrived in Rays camp.

“I took it seriously and I’m excited,” McClanahan said. “I feel really good. Excited to see the results.”

The goal being for McClanahan’s 2023 season is to mirror the early part of his '22 campaign. There may not have been a better pitcher in baseball in the first, when McClanahan went 10-3 with a 1.71 ERA and 147 strikeouts (110 2/3 innings) in 18 starts. But he missed time with a left shoulder injury and watched his dominance sag down the stretch, going 2-5 with a 4.20 ERA and 47 strikeouts (55 2/3 innings) in the second half, ultimately finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting.

McClanahan's motivation to stay healthy and thrive through the rigor of a full season is one of the reasons the Rays are so excited about their rotation heading into 2023. And McClanahan is itching to get back on the mound in a game situation. So much so that McClanahan said Tampa Bay pitching coach Kyle Snyder “yelled at me a little bit” to pump the brakes early in camp after an impressive live bullpen at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex on Thursday.

“He did do that,” McClanahan admitted, smiling. “I really wish I was in the middle of a game right now. I wish I wasn't talking to you guys. I wish I was going back out for my third or fourth inning.”

With the 25-year-old McClanahan coming off an (albeit minor) shoulder scare and a career-high 166 1/3 innings, the Rays know they’ll need to manage his workload this spring and at least somewhat in the regular season, as well. But for now, they club is certainly encouraged with how McClanahan already looks, as Cash put it, “pretty close to midseason form.” McClanahan's Grapefruit League debut is planned for Wednesday against Atlanta.

“I learned a lot from last year, in regards to staying on the field, making the amount of starts I made and trying to be a good leader for this team,” McClanahan said. “Nobody wants to be hurt. It really bummed me out getting hurt last year. I did everything I could this offseason to hopefully put myself in that position.”

“I think Shane got a firsthand look at getting a full season in the big leagues and having success," said Cash. "It’s a lot of pressure when you start in an All-Star Game. A lot goes with that. Yeah, it's awesome to be recognized and there's pressure to back that up. And I think he learned throughout the season, that as hard as he worked, it's still in there that he can work harder.”