2025 Season in Review: Billy McKinney
The 2025 Texas Rangers season has come to a close, and it's time to reflect on the players who made an impact. Today, we're focusing on outfielder Billy McKinney, a journeyman who has had a rollercoaster ride through the major leagues.
Billy McKinney, a Texas native and former Plano West standout, was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round in 2013. His high school career was a classic case of a player who caught the eye of scouts but not necessarily the current team's strategy. As BA's scouting report from the time noted, McKinney had a sweet swing and excellent bat speed, but his power was just average, and his other skills were considered 'fringy'.
The 2013 Texas Rangers, for instance, would have overlooked McKinney, but the 2026 Rangers might have been interested. The report highlighted his disciplined approach and strong makeup, which scouts loved. However, the power never materialized, and his hitting tool was only 'okay'. This led to a downward spiral in his prospect rankings, with McKinney finding himself in the perpetual Non-Roster Invite (NRI) land.
McKinney's trading journey began just a year and a month after being drafted by the A's. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs, becoming the second prospect in a deal that sent Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland, with Dan Straily also heading to Chicago. Two years later, he was traded again, this time to the New York Yankees, in exchange for Aroldis Chapman, Gleyber Torres, Adam Warren, and Rashad Crawford. This was a significant fall from grace, indicating a decline in his star power.
The pattern continued with McKinney being claimed on waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers in September 2020, traded to the New York Mets in May 2021 for Pedro Quintana, and then to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July 2021 for Carlos Rincon. The Rangers eventually purchased him from the Dodgers in November 2021 but non-tendered him a week later. This series of trades showcases McKinney's struggle to find stability in his career.
Despite the ups and downs, McKinney has managed to play in the big leagues since 2018, accumulating 327 games and 964 plate appearances for nine different clubs, including the Texas Rangers. In 2025, he had two brief stints with the Rangers, released by the Mets in May, and re-signed with Texas in the same month. He was also added to the 40-man and active roster in September, replacing Wyatt Langford, and played four starts, batting .200/.238/.250.
McKinney's role was to provide depth and cover for a few games when needed. With the veteran depth in AAA, he can be called up for short-term solutions during injuries or other emergencies. This season, he didn't sign with any team, but it's likely he will get a minor league deal with an NRI, spend time in AAA, and wait for his chance to fill in for a few plate appearances in the majors.
In the end, McKinney's journey is a testament to the unpredictable nature of professional baseball. It's a living, and he's embracing it.
