Gulls' McClaskey named WCBL's top reliever

Sylvan Lake Gulls right-hander Mickey McClaskey has been named the Western Canadian Baseball League’s top relief pitcher. Photo: WCBL

*This article was originally published on the Western Canadian Baseball League website on October 7. You can read it here.

October 8, 2025

By Ian Wilson

Western Canadian Baseball League

The call to the bullpen was answered - and then some - by Mickey McClaskey this summer.

The closer with the Sylvan Lake Gulls brought the heat to opposing batters in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) in 2025 and he led the team in saves with four in 16 appearances.

Through 23 1/3 innings pitched, the 6-foot-3 righthander went 2-2 with a 3.08 earned run average (ERA) and 37 strikeouts.

McClaskey - a native of Lake Oswego, Oregon - surrendered 14 hits, 12 walks and eight earned runs during the WCBL regular season and he did not give up a home run in his time on the mound with the Gulls.

His bullpen efforts helped push the Gulls to a 36-20 record that put Sylvan Lake in second place in the West Division.

The hard-throwing Gonzaga University student was picked as the Top Relief Pitcher award winner after 22 voters - including WCBL head coaches, team executives, broadcasters and sports reporters who cover the league - cast their ballots. Each voter was asked to submit their first, second and third choices for the major awards.

McClaskey earned more first place votes than any other nominee in beating out Donovan Gamez, of the Lethbridge Bulls, and Tanner Hosick, of the Saskatoon Berries, for the honour. A total of 12 relievers garnered votes in the process.

"When I received this award, I was surprised at first that that many people thought highly of my talent on the mound, considering there were lots of great arms in the league this summer," said McClaskey.

"I was also happy that my hard work has paid off throughout this past year."

McClaskey expressed gratitude towards his coaching staff in helping him achieve success.

"I’d like to thank coaches Jason Chatwood, Matt Hape, and Wyatt McKnight for allowing me to play for the Gulls and allowing me to compete at one hundred percent," said the 20-year-old.

"Playing summer baseball in Canada was a different experience for me, and I loved every second of it. Something that worked well for me was the mental part of the game. I knew that all the boys out there were behind each other and we were all out there competing for the same thing. I knew I was dominant on the mound because I played with a different competitive nature than other pitchers in the league."

McClaskey said he threw a four-seam fastball that sat between 93 and 96 miles per hour this season, as well as a gyro slider - which is characterized by its bullet spin - and a changeup.

"Matt Hape and I worked on a new gyro slider pitch. For me that was definitely the deciding factor in my success this summer," he said.

McClaskey also thanked Gulls fans for a great experience in the WCBL.

"I'd like to thank the whole Sylvan Lake community for the support that they have in the Gulls. It’s truly a one-of-one experience that I’ll forever remember," he said.

McClaskey is currently playing for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and he hopes to play baseball professionally one day.