FEATURE: Aycock's McGee graduating early to attend UNC

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 12, 2016 9:57 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Ashton McGee's phone bleeped.

It was a text message from North Carolina head baseball coach Mike Fox.

The sleepy-eyed Charles B. Aycock senior decided to call Fox on his way to school the next morning. Only, McGee didn't make it to school.

Fox said he needed a second baseman. Now.

"He asked for it (the verbal commitment) to be official," McGee said.

Fox told McGee to talk with his father, Darren.

McGee turned around, headed home and woke up his dad. His mom, Theresa, was in Texas. The family extensively discussed McGee foregoing the MLB Amateur Draft and giving up his spring campaign in a powder-blue Golden Falcon uniform.

Within two hours, McGee officially became a Diamond Heel.

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McGee endured a frustrating junior season at CBA.

Opposing coaches refused to pitch to the sweet-swinging hitter. He drew 31 walks, swiped 12 bases and scored 30 runs, but cobbled out a disappointing .221 batting average -- the lowest during his three-year varsity career.

He needed a confidence boost.

That came during the summer with the EvoShield Canes travel baseball team. Day in and out, McGee faced Division I recruits and possible MLB Draft picks every time he stepped to the plate.

"It's tough," he said. "You're seeing 91 to 93 mile-per-hour (pitchers) with good command of off-speed pitches. You have to battle up (there) and think that you're the better one in the box. You can't take a play off because if you do, you're going to lose it for your team.

"Everybody is good there, so you have to be on your game. I knew that I had to go there and prove myself."

The Canes, who played a West Coast-heavy schedule, posted a 44-11-3 worksheet.

McGee emerged as the team's leader in hits (51), total plate appearances (165), walks (30) and singles (36). He ranked second in doubles (12), third in total games played (54), fourth in total runs scored (33) and eighth in RBI (20).

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A conversation with Fox after an East Carolina Pro Scout constantly played through McGee's mind. Fox told the versatile infielder that UNC would need some good gloves during the spring. McGee kept that little piece of information tucked away.

Then the Tar Heels lost their second baseman to an injury during the fall.

Was this his chance?

Fox called.

"They have the No. 1 recruiting class coming in for 2016 and to add on to that, I just know we have a good chance of going to Omaha," McGee said. "Going back to when I was a little kid dreaming about playing college baseball will come true in a couple of months. I can't explain it really. It probably won't hit me until I get there."

McGee has an advantage, too.

CBA alum Adam Pate is the Heels' captain this season.

The two have developed a strong bond over the past two months. They've discussed the campus scene, the academic routine and expectations of the baseball program. Pate's presence has produced a calming effect on McGee.

"When he comes back, we're going to hit and he's going to talk to me about the things I need to do...working out, learning signs. It's going to be a big help," he said. "I can go in there and not be behind as I would be just going there and having nobody to talk with about it (the program).

"He's a big help...a great guy."

McGee, of course, has mixed emotions.

He's leaving behind a band of brothers who have built a camaraderie over the past three years. McGee helped lead CBA to a runner-up finish in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A baseball championship series in 2015.

"It was tough on me," McGee said. "I've built a relationship with Coach (Charles) Davis, especially, Coach (Allen) Thomas and Coach (Steve) Brooks. (And) especially the seniors who are some of my best friends. Not knowing this was going to be the last time I would play with them...hard.

"And knowing this is Coach Davis' last year."

McGee is just the third player to join Carolina midway through his senior year in high school. Levi McMichael and pitcher JB Bukauskas are the other two. McMichael played second base for the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double-A Southern League this past summer.

Baukaskas is a sophomore left-handed hurler for UNC.

Not attending school was never an option for McGee. He plans to use the three years to develop his game, get stronger, bigger and faster. During his summer season, he raised the eyebrows of scouts from Milwaukee, former World Series champ Kansas City, Miami and Boston -- just to name a few.

Gaining Fox's trust is his biggest goal at the moment.

"I hope to play full-time, but I have to go in there, earn my spot...play the best I can and see what happens," McGee said. "You're going to see a good arm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday -- even on the weekdays. I think I'll be fine with the pitching, but I need to get more consistent with ground balls."

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A surprise move?

Not to Davis.

"Coach Fox, when he called me, he said 'I hate to have this conversation,'" Davis said. "I said, 'no, if that's what you want to do, I'm in total agreement 100 percent.'

"Number one, it's a compliment to Ashton. Number two, I look at it as a compliment to our program if they're thinking he can go play (immediately). I think he can play at that level -- physically, emotionally and maturity. He's getting his chance.

"My job is to prepare them for the next level."

McGee never sought the spotlight in Pikeville.

He remained humble and good-hearted, instead.

CBA won 62 games and made three postseason appearances with McGee in uniform. His career numbers -- 48 runs scored, 21 extra-base knocks, 43 RBI, 70 walks and 30 stolen bases.

"Most definitely you can't take a player out of the lineup of his caliber and not miss him," Davis said. "But it gives somebody else a chance to step up...challenge our kids that the opportunity is there for somebody else now.

"Ashton's got my blessings."

And a new challenge ahead.