Alexander Meckley Transitions to Professional Baseball

Conway, South Carolina, August 19, 2025

News Summary

Alexander Meckley, a former standout pitcher for Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, has been drafted by the Washington Nationals following a successful college career. After a challenging start to the season with a 5.86 ERA, Meckley showed remarkable improvement in his last nine outings with a 2.44 ERA. His success led to a promotion to High-A Wilmington, where he continues to build on his skills while maintaining connections with his former team. Coastal Carolina’s recent achievements in the College World Series further highlight the rising talent in college baseball.

Conway, South Carolina – Alexander Meckley, a former standout player for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, is transitioning to the professional level after a successful college baseball career that culminated in a strong performance during the 2025 College World Series. Meckley was selected in the 12th round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals, reflecting his growth and potential as a right-handed pitcher.

This past season, Coastal Carolina showcased its talent by achieving a remarkable 26-game winning streak and making its second-ever appearance in the College World Series finals. Despite their efforts, the Chanticleers were swept in two games against Louisiana State University (LSU), a disappointment following their championship win in 2016.

Meckley’s journey since being drafted has been one of gradual improvement. He began the current season with difficulties, posting a 5.86 Earned Run Average (ERA) and a 1.86 Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP), along with a .306 opponent batting average in his first ten starts. However, a major turnaround ensued in his last nine outings, where he significantly improved his performance with a 2.44 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, while striking out 38 batters and allowing only 11 walks in 44.1 innings pitched. This exceptional showing on the mound led to his promotion to High-A Wilmington, where he earned recognition as one of the best starters since early June 2025.

Meckley’s pitching coach at Wilmington, Justin Lord, commended him for his ability to consistently throw strikes and induce weak contact using off-speed pitches. The former Coastal Carolina player had previously tried his hand at relieving but found greater success upon returning to a starting role this season. His debut for Wilmington was impressive, as he pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out six batters.

Throughout the season, Meckley has focused on reducing his walks, an area of concern earlier in the year. With nearly 100 innings pitched so far, he has several starts anticipated before the conclusion of the 2025 season.

Reflecting on his time at Coastal Carolina, Meckley expressed a renewed pride in his alma mater, attributing this to a deeper understanding of the dedication and hard work behind the team’s success. Coastal Carolina’s current players have noted the leadership style of coach Kevin Schnall, whose intense coaching methods have been credited with motivating the team and contributing to their performance, sans the underdog labels that previously defined the program.

As Meckley continues on his professional journey, he remains in touch with his former team, training with them during the offseason and keeping tabs on their progress during spring training. The success of both Meckley and the Coastal Carolina baseball program illustrates a rising trajectory for college baseball in the region, as they continue to build upon their achievements in the national spotlight.

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Additional Resources

• Coastal Carolina Baseball News
• ESPN: Men’s College World Series
• Coastal Carolina News: MLB Draft
• Coastal Carolina MCWS Opening
• Coastal Carolina MCWS Finals Media
• Wikipedia: College Baseball
• Google Search: College World Series
• Google Scholar: Coastal Carolina baseball
• Encyclopedia Britannica: College World Series
• Google News: College Baseball

Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH

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