Tribe's Triston McKenzie looking to build on first-year success last season

After spending five years as one of Cleveland's top prospects, right-hander Triston McKenzie made his long-awaited major league debut in 2020. He sure didn't look like a rookie. The 23-year-old McKenzie, who was drafted in between the first and second rounds in 2015, was downright dominating at times, appearing in eight games for the Indians while starting six of them. In those six starts, he allowed more than three runs just once, offering up a historical big-league debut Aug. 22, when he limited the Tigers to a run on six hits and struck out 10 batters over six innings. It was the second-most strikeouts by an Indians pitcher in his debut since Luis Tiant's 11 in 1964 and McKenzie became just the 28th pitcher since 1901 to fan at least 10 during his first time on a big-league mound. "Once I kind of got out there and I was able to see how my stuff performed against big-league hitters, I felt comfortable on the mound," said McKenzie, who posted a 2-1 record and 3.24 ERA overall, with 42 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings. "By the end of the season, I felt that if I was able to perform and make sure I was healthy and go out there and do all of the stuff off the field, I'd be able to go out there and compete." McKenzie, who still has his rookie status intact, entered spring training with a spot secured in the rotation and a fresh perspective on his career. "This offseason was definitely more insightful than a lot of my past ones," he said. "I kinda got a taste for what the big leagues was like and I definitely want a little more of it. I definitely took the time this offseason to really focus in and hone in on what I needed to do to come out here and just perform day in and day out. "It's more just the little things and knowing what that next level takes and just making sure that I can get to that next level and stay there. I'd say the biggest thing that's differentiated this offseason from a lot of my past offseasons is the focus that I've had and just me keying in on what I know works." It's been an up-and-down exhibition season for McKenzie, who is 0-2 with a 7.53 ERA in five appearances (three starts). It began on a positive note but he's struggled as of late, allowing three home runs in his last outing Monday. "If he gets to a point where he's throwing the ball through the glove a little bit better, he'll be fine," manager Terry Francona said of McKenzie, who has allowed seven homers and 10 walks this spring. "His secondary pitches are good. He just doesn't always throw through the catcher, trying to be too fine with it, and then he's either down out of the zone or up and away. "I think repetition will be good for him. You've got to remember, this kid hasn't pitched a ton the last couple years. So, the more repetition he gets, the better off he'll be." McKenzie is expected to get one more exhibition start before the regular season begins April 1. "I'm still kinda figuring some stuff out, just with the four-pitch mix that I have right now," he said, "just trying to hone in and tighten those up and make them more consistent." McKenzie is likely to begin the season at the end of Cleveland's rotation, embarking on what he and the Indians hope is his first full year as a starter on the major-league level. "I feel like I'll get placed where I get placed, but I'm just looking to be ready for whatever role they give me," he said. "I need to go out and perform, regardless of if I'm the (Number) one (starter) or if I'm the five. "I know that the 2021 season is going to be a different season than I've been used to and I'm excited for it." Judging by last year, catcher Roberto Perez is confident McKenzie is here to stay. "He's got a great future," Perez said. "The good thing about him, he goes right after hitters. That's impressive to watch." Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on Twitter.