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Saturday, April 16, 2022

Tim MacNeil turned solid reliever in college; Saw three pro seasons, made high-A

Tim MacNeil came on in relief for Rancho Santiago College in this April 1988 game and he impressed, The Los Angeles Times wrote

He got out of jams and protected the lead, The Times wrote.

"Nothing seems to rattle him," Rancho Santiago coach Don Sneddon told The Times afterward. "I thought he showed a lot poise and character out there. He did a solid job again for us in a big game."

MacNeil eventually impressed enough that year to turn pro. He saw three seasons. He topped out at high-A.

MacNeil's career began that year in 1988, taken by the Rangers in the 13th round of the draft out of Rancho Santiago College.

Moved to relief at Rancho Santiago and he initially had trouble, The Times wrote in July 1987, calling his previous season as a reliever "forgettable."

"I wasn't ready to be a reliever on that level," MacNeil told The Times. "I had a lot to learn, and still do, about pitching, and coming in late in the game was strange. I don't think I ever really did get used to it."

With the Rangers, MacNeil continued relieving. He also had some success. He started at rookie Butte. He saw 24 relief outings, went 1-2, with a 3.00 ERA and picked up nine saves.

He moved to the rookie Gulf Coast League and single-A Gastonia for 1989. He started in the GCL and mostly relieved at Gastonia. He went 7-7 on the year, with a 4.64 ERA. He saved three.

For 1990, he saw 17 total outings, six starts, between high-A Port Charlotte and independent high-A Miami. He went 1-4, with a 6.00 ERA to end his career.

He's since returned to California and turned instructor. He's listed in 2022 as a former instructor with Baseball Softball World in Yorba Linda.

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:3,892
Made the Majors:1,299-33.4%
Never Made Majors:2,593-66.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:528
10+ Seasons in the Minors:325

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