Reese McGuire Bio
Reese Jackson McGuire (born March 2, 1995) is an American professional baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs. A former first-round draft pick, McGuire has spent more than a decade in professional baseball, beginning as a highly regarded high school prospect and continuing as a veteran backstop known for his defensive work behind the plate.
Early Life and Background
McGuire was born on March 2, 1995, in Seattle, Washington, the middle of Scott and Robin McGuire’s three sons. Growing up, he played Little League alongside his older brother Cash and alternated between pitcher and catcher until Cash’s preteen growth spurt pushed Reese into a full-time catching role. The catching position stuck, and it became the foundation of his professional career.
McGuire attended Kentwood High School in Covington, Washington, where he continued to develop as a catcher. As a senior, he batted .436 with four home runs and 20 runs batted in (RBI), drawing praise from Major League Baseball analysts for his defensive ability and his potential as a first-round pick. Before signing professionally, McGuire had committed to play college baseball for the San Diego Toreros.
On the international stage, McGuire represented the United States at the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship in Seoul. Playing catcher, third base, first base, left field, and designated hitter, he led Team USA with a .400 batting average and 11 RBI over 35 at bats, earning USA Baseball Player of the Year honors and a gold medal.
Path to Major League Baseball
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected McGuire 14th overall in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft, making him the highest high school catcher drafted since 2008. He signed with the Pirates on June 18, earning a $2.36 million signing bonus, and was assigned to the Rookie-level GCL Pirates. In his professional debut on July 4, he recorded four hits, three RBI, and two doubles, then finished the Gulf Coast League season batting .330 with 11 doubles and 21 RBI in 46 games.
McGuire moved quickly through the minor leagues, joining the Class A Short Season Jamestown Jammers at the end of August 2013 and the Low-A West Virginia Power in 2014. With West Virginia, he batted .262 with three home runs and 45 RBI in 98 games and was named a South Atlantic League All-Star. He added 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason and reached the Class A-Advanced Bradenton Marauders in 2015, where he earned Florida State League All-Star recognition.
Reese McGuire Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
After opening 2016 in minor league camp with the Pirates, McGuire began the year with the Double-A Altoona Curve. One of the youngest players on the roster, he showed greater discipline at the plate, drawing walks and keeping his average above .250. In 77 games and 266 at bats, he hit .259 with one home run and 37 RBI, continuing to develop as a top catching prospect.
On August 1, 2016, the Pirates traded McGuire, fellow prospect Harold Ramírez, and pitcher Francisco Liriano to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for pitcher Drew Hutchison. McGuire finished the year with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, batting .226 with five RBI in 15 games.
Toronto Blue Jays Breakthrough (2016–2021)
McGuire returned to the Fisher Cats in 2017 but was limited to 45 games after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. After arthroscopic surgery, he returned in early August and earned Eastern League Player of the Week honors for the week ending August 20, 2017, after homering in three consecutive games. He batted .295 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 149 at bats that year.
On November 20, 2017, the Blue Jays added McGuire to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. He opened 2018 with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons and was promoted to the major leagues on September 6, 2018. That night, he made his MLB debut against the Cleveland Indians and doubled for his first career hit. He hit his first home run on September 26 against the Houston Astros and finished 2018 batting .290 with two home runs and four RBI in 14 games.
After spending part of 2019 and the shortened 2020 season bouncing between Toronto and Triple-A, McGuire played 78 games for the Blue Jays in 2021, batting .253 with one home run and 10 RBI. In parts of four seasons with Toronto, he made 141 major-league appearances, batting .248 with nine home runs and 26 RBI.
Chicago White Sox Era (2022)
On April 3, 2022, the Blue Jays traded McGuire to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Zack Collins. He played 53 games for Chicago, batting .225 with no home runs and 10 RBI before the team moved him again during the season.
Boston Red Sox Era (2022–2024)
On August 1, 2022, the Boston Red Sox acquired McGuire and Taylor Broadway from the White Sox in exchange for reliever Jake Diekman. McGuire played 36 games for Boston in 2022, batting .337 with three home runs and 12 RBI. On January 13, 2023, he and the Red Sox agreed on a one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration. A right oblique strain landed him on the injured list from late June until August 1, 2023, and he finished that season batting .267 with one home run and 16 RBI in 72 games.
McGuire signed another one-year deal with Boston on January 12, 2024, and drove in a career-high five runs in a 12–2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on April 7. On July 28, 2024, the Red Sox designated him for assignment as manager Alex Cora explained the team wanted a right-handed bat at backup catcher, leading to the acquisition of Danny Jansen. McGuire cleared waivers, was outrighted to Triple-A Worcester on August 2, and elected free agency on September 30, 2024.
Chicago Cubs Era (2025)
On January 22, 2025, McGuire signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. In 22 appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, he batted .280/.360/.467 with three home runs, 19 RBI, and two stolen bases. On May 25, the Cubs selected his contract, and in his first plate appearance that day he hit a solo home run, later adding a game-tying solo homer in a Cubs comeback win. McGuire made 44 appearances for Chicago, batting .226/.245/.444 with nine home runs and 24 RBI, before being non-tendered on November 21, 2025, and becoming a free agent.
Notable Events and Milestones
McGuire’s most memorable MLB moment came on September 6, 2018, when he doubled for his first major-league hit on debut against the Cleveland Indians. He later launched his first home run on September 26, 2018, against the Houston Astros. With the Cubs in 2025, he opened his tenure by hitting a solo home run on his very first plate appearance and later added a game-tying solo homer in the same contest, sealing a comeback victory.
Reese McGuire Career Wins
As a catcher, Reese McGuire’s professional success has been measured less by batting crowns and more by his development through the minor leagues, his defensive reliability, and his ability to contribute timely hits at the major-league level. Across his stops in Pittsburgh’s system, the Blue Jays organization, and four big-league teams, he has delivered key knocks, walk-off moments, and a series of milestone home runs.
Minor League Highlights
McGuire’s professional debut produced four hits, three RBI, and two doubles, and he closed his first season batting .330 across 46 Gulf Coast League games. He earned South Atlantic League All-Star honors in 2014 and Florida State League All-Star recognition in 2015, and he captured Eastern League Player of the Week honors in August 2017 after homering in three straight games.
Major League Highlights
McGuire’s first major-league hit was a double on September 6, 2018, and he later homered for the first time on September 26 of that year. With the Red Sox in 2022, he batted .337 in 36 games, and on April 7, 2024, he drove in a career-high five runs against the Los Angeles Angels. With the Cubs in 2025, he hit a home run in his first plate appearance and added a game-tyaring solo home run in the same game.
Reese McGuire Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
McGuire is the middle son of Scott and Robin McGuire. His older brother, Cash McGuire, played second base at Seattle University, while his younger brother, Shane McGuire, played catcher at the University of San Diego, was taken in the 2021 MLB draft, and has continued his career in the Athletics organization. Reese and Cash grew up playing Little League together before Cash’s growth spurt pushed Reese into a full-time catching role.
Personal Life
McGuire grew up in the Seattle area and attended Kentwood High School in Covington, Washington. Outside of baseball, public details about his personal life remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
McGuire began 2025 with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs after signing a minor league deal with Chicago in January. In 22 games at Triple-A, he batted .280/.360/.467 with three home runs and 19 RBI, forcing the Cubs to add him to the major-league roster on May 25. His first day in a Cubs uniform became an immediate storyline, as he homered in his first plate appearance and later tied the game with another solo shot in a comeback win.
Across 44 major-league appearances with the Cubs, McGuire batted .226/.245/.444 and added nine home runs and 24 RBI, giving Chicago a steady left-handed complement behind the plate. The Cubs non-tendered him on November 21, 2025, returning him to free agency as he looks toward the next chapter of his career.