MacKenzie Gore

MacKenzie Gore's Biography

MacKenzie Evan Gore, an American professional baseball pitcher, was born on February 24, 1999. Currently representing the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball (MLB), he first graced the major leagues with his debut for the San Diego Padres in 2022.

Gore’s history with baseball traces back to his time at Whiteville High School, located in his native North Carolina town. Demonstrating a prodigious talent from an early age, he posted outstanding statistical performances as a junior, with a 12–1 win-loss record, a minuscule 0.08 earned run average (ERA), and a whopping 174 strikeouts across 88 and a third innings of work. These feats were embellished with an incredible no-hitter in which he struck out 18 batters. His prowess was integral to Whiteville securing four straight 1-A state championships, with Gore winning the MVP award in three victories. During the summer of 2016, his blossoming career saw him participating in the Perfect Game Classic at Petco Park. While he also committed to play college baseball for East Carolina University, his trajectory took a different path.

By 2017, Gore was widely regarded as one of the premier prospects in the Major League Baseball draft. The San Diego Padres, recognizing his potential, selected him as the third overall pick. On June 23, 2017, he signed his rookie contract, agreeing to a signing bonus of a hefty $6.7 million. His professional journey began with the Arizona League Padres, where he pitched seven games and maintained an impressive 1.27 ERA. Subsequently, in 2018, he played for the Fort Wayne TinCaps, managing a 4.45 ERA across 16 starts.

The year 2019 marked the beginning of Gore’s stint with the Lake Elsinore Storm, resulting in California League All-Star honors. Remarkably, he was named to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game in June. His 79 and a third innings of work were punctuated with a 7–1 record and an astonishing 1.02 ERA, leading to his promotion to the Amarillo Sod Poodles team in July.

As 2020 unfolded, MLB Pipeline adjudged Gore as minor league baseball’s top pitching prospect and the fifth best overall prospect. However, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancelation of the season. In 2021, he started with El Paso Chihuahuas, but an injury alongside other persistent issues saw his ERA balloon to 5.85 over six starts, leading to his assignment to the San Antonio Missions. Nevertheless, he concluded the season ranked as the 56th best prospect overall and the fourth best left-handed pitching prospect.

Gore’s big break arrived in 2022 when he was selected to join the Padres for the opening day roster. He seized this opportunity on April 15, making a compelling MLB debut against defending champions Atlanta Braves. He performed commendably, allowing just three hits and two runs across five and a third innings. Five days later, he celebrated his first win.

Despite experiencing some turbulence in July due to left elbow inflammation, Gore made a swift recovery and was traded to the Washington Nationals in August 2022. He was part of an exchange deal involving several players from both squads, but did not pitch for the Nationals that year.

In June 2023, during a game against the San Diego Padres, Gore struck a new Nationals franchise record by dismissing the first six batters he faced. The year witnessed him making 151 strikeouts, and posting 4.42 ERA in 136.1 innings across 27 starts. Despite the hurdles and challenges along his career path, MacKenzie Gore has consistently risen above, demonstrating exceptional skill and potential in the competitive realm of baseball. His journey continues to inspire and fuels anticipation for what he will achieve in the future.