2023 draft pick McAdoo rising through the ranks
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The 2023 Major League Baseball Draft will go down in history for the Pittsburgh Pirates because of drafting phenom pitcher Paul Skenes with the first overall pick.
It's not just one pick that makes a draft, and a little less than a year since the draft, others are starting to make more of a name for themselves.
That's certainly the case for the player selected in the 13th round with the 377th pick, infielder/outfielder Charles McAdoo, who has made a meteoric climb through the Pirates' organization since signing his contract last summer.
"I feel like it's been moving rather quickly," McAdoo said. "I was in my college apartment with my roommate watching TV and now, I'm in Altoona, Pa. I did not think I'd be here. It's just moving so fast, and it's a little surreal."
It took what felt like forever for McAdoo to get the call during the draft, but it came courtesy of the Pirates, and the rest as they say is history.
"It was a big relief," McAdoo said. "I was getting a little nervous toward the end of day three, and I didn't think I was going to get picked, but I got there eventually."
McAdoo wasted no time in acclimating to professional baseball after a stellar career at San Jose State. He notched a hit and three walks in his first game for Low-A Bradenton and proceeded to hit .302 in 28 games with the Marauders.
He hit five home runs and had 24 RBIs to go along with 29 hits. The production hasn't stopped in 2024; in fact, it's only picked up.
Prior to being promoted to Altoona, McAdoo hit .336 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs with High-A Greensboro.
"I just think the work I put in the offseason where I was trying to be as consistent as possible and working real hard pushing my body to the limit, I feel like it has really helped me maintain my consistency throughout the year," McAdoo said.
That consistency has come to Altoona, where he entered Friday night's game hitting .267 with three home runs in 16 games.
As consistent as he is on the field, he is unabashedly himself off the field. McAdoo can be seen perusing the field and the dugout with a smile that spans ear to ear.
"I like to have fun, like to smile, and I love baseball," McAdoo said.
For McAdoo, baseball is still a fun game, one he keeps simple, much like his easy-going personality.
Those are the characteristics that have helped him get to Double-A and will help him continue to make a name for himself both inside and outside of the organization.