All-American infielder is a catalyst for the ZooKeepers' title chase

ASHEBORO — A belief in one’s self, being strong mentally, doing whatever it takes to help the team and having fun. Characteristics that, if mastered by a player, would make that player an asset for a baseball team at any level.

Brady McGuire has seemed to master those characteristics and plenty more which has made him a very  valuable part of the Asheboro ZooKeepers’ season.

As Asheboro, which is battling for the West Division championship in the Coastal Plain League, enters the stretch run, McGuire will certainly be called on to be a big contributor the rest of the season.

“Everyone who plays college baseball is here for a reason,” said McGuire, a 6-foot, 180-pounder from Pittsburgh, PA. “They have the talent. The mental side is an ongoing battle. You always have to believe in yourself and have fun. It can be tough when you fail seven out of every 10 times and still be an elite player. You need to be strong on the mental side and have fun playing.”

Though McGuire has certainly had fun throughout his baseball career, he hasn’t been very fun for the opposition. He has enjoyed an incredible two-year stretch at Seton Hill, a very strong Division II program which plays in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, considered one of the best DII leagues in the country.

As a freshman after graduating from Shaler Area High School, McGuire hit .317 for the Griffins with 40 runs scored, 28 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 57 games. 

His sophomore year was even more impressive. He led the PSAC with a .443 (66-for-149) average with 48 runs scored, six home runs and 54 RBIs. He added 29 stolen bases.

He earned multiple post-season honors as he was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Team (second team), 

a member of the ABCA/Rawlings All-American team (third team), a third-team All-America selection by the NCBWA and a second-team selection by the D2CCA.

He was named the PSAC West athlete of the year and he was also named the NCBWA and D2CCA Atlantic Regional player of the year. He was a first-team selection on the PSAC West team.

“All of the success is attributed to all my teammates and coaches,” said McGuire. “No one can do it alone. college and down here, I have had so many great coaches.”

Included is the coaching staff of the ZooKeepers, Manager Jamey May and Assistant Coaches Skye Bolt and Mason Bell.

“It starts with coaches, they set the example,” McGuire said. “Jamey does an awesome job as head coach and he is always there to support us. Skye works with the hitters. He and Mason are there to help us throughout the season.

“As players go, we just go out and have fun. We are supporting each other and want the best for each other. We have great team camaraderie. We joke around and have fun.”

This is the second year McGuire has played summer ball. McGuire Last year, he was a member of the Jamestown Tarp Skunks of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.

“At Seton Hill, our coaches believe, and I am a firm believer, that in order to get better, you should play baseball,” McGuire said. “Not just cage work, but playing.”

With the ZooKeepers entering Sunday, McGuire is hitting a robust .339 with 27 RBIs, 45 runs scored, 12 doubles, three triples, three homers and 21 stolen bases. 

“Whatever I can do to help the team out,” McGuire said. “I love to take extra bases, being aggressive.”

McGuire said he loves playing in Asheboro.

“I love it, the town, my host family Dean Keller and Marie were very welcoming from the start. They will do anything for me. The coaches are great here. They want to win just like the players. It’s a great group of guys. 

“When I was a freshman before I played summer ball, one of my friends said you will meet 30 or 40 guys for the first time and you will remember them forever.”

McGuire said he loves what occurs after every home game.

“My favorite part is going to talk to the fans who stick around,” McGuire said. “They make you feel like you’re a big leaguer. You go around town, you go to the YMCA and talking to people in there who are going to your games. Baseball is a sport that brings people together.”

For the ZooKeepers, who entered the new week 24-12 with a 3.5-game lead in the West division, McGuire said things should continue in a positive manner.

“If you step on that field and you’re trying to help the team and have fun, the rest will take care of itself,” he said.