Another McGwire will be playing baseball for the Athletics organization.
The Athletics signed Max McGwire, the son of former MLB slugger and A’s icon Mark McGwire, to a minor league contract on Tuesday, July 28. He was assigned to the ACL Athletics (Arizona Complex League) on Friday, July 31.
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Max is the latest member of the McGwire family to reach the professional ranks and is listed as a right-handed pitcher on MLB’s minor league website.
The A’s will explore the possibility of the 23-year-old Irvine, California native as a power-hitting option and as a first baseman, according to Jason Burke of InsideTheAs.
McGwire began his college baseball career in 2022 at Oklahoma before transferring to San Diego (2024) and finishing at Saint Louis (2025, 2026). He served as a pitcher out of the bullpen for the Billikens in 12 games during the 2026 season, allowing 14 hits, 13 runs (10 earned runs), two home runs and 11 walks in 16.2 innings pitched.
He joins his brother Mason McGwire as an MLB prospect.
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Mark McGwire leads baseball family
Mark McGwire chats with his son Max before a St. Louis Cardinals game in 2011. Max McGwire is now playing minor league baseball.
Mark McGwire is a 12-time MLB All-Star who played for the A’s from 1986 to 1997. He was the 10th overall pick by the A’s in the 1984 draft.
McGwire made an immediate impact during his early years while the team was still playing in Oakland. He was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1987. He was also named an All-Star from 1987-1992. He finished fourth in MVP voting in 1992.
The Pomona, California native was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997 and finished out his playing career with the club in 2001.
McGwire reunited with the A’s organization in February 2026, serving as a special assistant to player development.
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He previously served as a bench coach for the San Diego Padres (2017-18) and a hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2013-15) and the Cardinals (2010-12).
Who is Mason McGwire?
Mason McGwire is the younger brother of Max.
The 22-year-old is a member of the Chicago Cubs‘ farm system and was drafted by the organization in the 8th round of the 2022 MLB draft out of Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, California.
Mason McGwire currently plays with the South Bend Cubs in the Midwest League. He also played for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans earlier this year.
The right-handed pitcher represented the Cubs in the 2026 All-Star Futures Game, entering in the seventh inning and allowing an earned run but also recording a strikeout.
Mason McGwirepitches during the 2026 MLB Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Fondness for “M” first names
Mark McGwire has six children, and all have a first name that starts with the letter M. He has three sons: Matthew, Max and Mason. He also has triplet daughters: Monet Rose, Marlo Rose and Monroe Rose.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Athletics ink son of franchise icon Mark McGwire to minor league deal
