Ryan McGee (Siena) named Week Seven Player of the Week Sponsored by CDSF
Ryan McGee (Siena) has been named the Player of the Week Sponsored by CDSF. McGee will be the final player to pick up weekly honors, as Player and Pitcher of the Year will be announced next week. McGee has been an on-base machine in his second summer with the Dutchmen, batting .327 to go with a .423 on-base percentage. McGee batted .400 (8-20) with a home run, 4 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases on the week ending 7/24. McGee credits his success at the dish to his feel and comfort level in the batter's box.
“I’ve been trying to focus as much as I can in the box, I’ve been seeing pitches really well lately, aiming for hard hit line drives and been feeling really relaxed,” McGee said.
McGee’s relaxed mindset goes beyond his approach in the box, as the Colonie High product says he values his time hanging out with Dutchmen teammates upon arrival to the field before getting to work.
“I show up to the field and I like to take the time to just talk with the guys, then I’ll get into flips then game batting practice with Coach Davey trying to work opposite field,” McGee said.
Dutchmen Head Coach Nick Davey has high praise for McGee playing his role at the top of the lineup.
"McGee has been tremendous as a table setter, he's one of the best hitters I've ever coached when he gets two strikes and has been a threat on the bases," Davey said.
An eye-catching part of McGee’s game is how deep he gets into counts, even in a two strike count the Siena product is never giving up on the battle.
“My mindset is not letting this pitcher beat me with two strikes, it allows me to open up the zone, be a little more aggressive, and use my speed to get me on base,” McGee said.
Primarily a contact hitter, McGee came into the week without a home run, but got his first one of the season on Friday in Saugerties.
“It felt good off the bat, I worked a 3-2 count just working pitches, I got one I could handle and it felt great,” McGee said.
McGee is in his third summer with the Dutchmen and is extremely fond of Dutchmen Head Coach Nick Davey.
“We’ve grown to have a great relationship and he’s really good at focusing on how is everyone going to get better as an individual for when we go back to school, the way he coaches is a great fit for me and I appreciate and respect it,” McGee said.
McGee is one of three Dutchmen players that individually is in the top ten in stolen bases in the PGCBL, and a part of the squad that leads the league in swiping bags.
“Being able to steal bases is huge especially in tight games, it’s another aspect that sets teams apart, Coach Davey as well as Siena coaches both preach being aggressive on the base paths and being a faster guy it fits me,” McGee said.
McGee will be the final Player of the Week for 2021, as Player and Pitcher of the Year will be announced next week. McGee and the Albany Dutchmen start off the final week of the season on Monday, July 26th at 6:35 in Amsterdam against the Mohawks.
