Mahoning Valley Scrappers manager Quinton McCracken

NILES — For the first time since 2019, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers will have a familiar face in the clubhouse to guide the team into a new season.

Quinton McCracken, who managed the Scrappers last summer, will return in his managerial role when the Scrappers open play in June.

McCracken becomes the first Scrappers manager to return for a second season since Jim Pankovits guided the team in 2018 and 2019.

“Last summer was a great experience in many aspects, from the cooperation I received from the (Scrappers) front office to the daily on-field experience of working with some very talented individuals.” McCracken said. “When all was said and done, it was an easy choice to return.”

“I enjoy the opportunity of helping young players in their pursuit of becoming professional players while at the same time building my own resume in my pursuit of coaching at the highest level.”

McCracken — a native of North Carolina who currently resides in Katy, Texas — said that spending another summer in the Mahoning Valley was also a selling point for both him and his family.

“We love it here, I love the scenery, things are green and lively and I love the rivers and lakes,” McCracken said. “Being from a small town in North Carolina, Niles and the surrounding area really resonated with me right from the start.

“Everyone at the ballpark and everyone I met away from the ballpark was so warm and welcoming. It felt like home.”

A graduate of Duke University, McCracken was selected by the Colorado Rockies in their inaugural draft in 1992. He made his major league debut in 1995, and a year later, he batted .290. In 1997, he stole a career-high 28 bases with a .292 average.

In November of ’97, McCracken was picked up by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the MLB expansion draft. McCracken holds the distinction of making Tampa Bay’s first-ever plate appearance. He also scored the first run and recorded the first stolen base in team history.

McCracken would finish the ’98 season as Tampa Bay’s MVP, batting .292 with seven home runs and 59 RBI while playing in 155 games. He spent three years in Tampa, and would go on to play for Minnesota, Arizona (where he batted .309 in 2002) and Seattle before ending his MLB playing career in 2006 with Cincinnati.

During his time in the MLB, McCracken spent his entire career in the outfield, playing 452 games.

Following his retirement as a player, McCracken held front office jobs with the Diamondbacks, Astros and Marlins. He then served as a special assistant for player development operations with the Milwaukee Brewers for three years before assuming the role as Scrappers’ manager in March of 2024.

When the Scrappers’ season ended last September, McCracken continued to help some of his former players in their quest to sign professional contracts. He also served as an MLB consultant in the Arizona Fall League.

McCracken said he reserved most of the winter to spend time with his wife Maggie and 15-year-old son Isaiah. He also spent many nights following his beloved Duke Blue Devils basketball team. In fact, McCracken will be in San Antonio on Saturday to watch Duke play its Final Four game against Houston. He hopes to return to the Alamodome on Monday to see the Blue Devils in the national title game.

“Duke is going to have its hands full, that’s for sure,” McCracken said. “I couldn’t be more excited. I loved my time at Duke and I’m a Dukie for life.”

While at Duke, McCracken played both football and baseball all four years while earning a degree in Political Science with a minor in history.

Last year, the Scrappers finished with a 37-38 record. While the main goal of the MLB Draft League is to showcase player talent ahead of the MLB draft, McCracken noted that “winning is always a goal, no matter the level.”

He hopes that a year spent in the league will better prepare him for the 2025 campaign.

“It’s such a whirlwind of a season,” McCracken said. “You get here in late May, have two practices with the team and start the season. A lot of players arrive late because they’re still playing college games. Then you have a change of the roster in mid-July.

“It’s a revolving door. There are a lot of obstacles, but that’s part of what makes it fun and challenging. I’m looking forward to a second season in Niles.”

The Scrappers open their 2025 season June 4 with a home game against State College. The two-game series is part of an 80-game schedule which includes 40 home games.