Bakersfield’s workhorse righty has flashed ace-level outings in 2026
In the 2026 season, Shane McAlinden has been a high-usage weekend starter for Cal State Bakersfield, showing strikeout ability and real durability even through some uneven run prevention: he was credited with a 7.51 ERA over 56.1 innings, but also logged strong outings like six innings with two hits and six strikeouts against UC Davis and a 4.1-inning start allowing just one run at UC Riverside. He’s a 6-foot right-hander with a starter’s profile, and the appeal is the ceiling, competitiveness, and innings-eating role—more “take the ball and compete” than polished ace, which still makes him a useful fit for teams valuing toughness and rotation depth.
