Professional career
Los Angeles Angels
MacKinnon signed with the Angels and split his first professional season between the Arizona League Angels and Orem Owlz. He played 2018 with the Burlington Bees and Inland Empire 66ers,2019 with the 66ers,and 2021 with the Rocket City Trash Pandas. With the Trash Pandas in 2021,he earned Double-A South Player of the Month honors in June. [7] [8] He opened the 2022 season with the Salt Lake Bees and earned Pacific Coast League Player of the Month honors in May. [9]
On June 18,2022,the Angels selected MacKinnon's contract and promoted him to the major leagues. [10] At the time of his promotion,he was batting .327 with 13 home runs over 56 games with Salt Lake. [11] He made his MLB debut that night as the starting first baseman versus the Seattle Mariners and went hitless over two at-bats. [12] He recorded his first major league hit on June 22,an RBI single in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals. [13] On August 2,MacKinnon was designated for assignment. [14]
Oakland Athletics
On August 5,2022,MacKinnon was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics. [15] He was assigned to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators of the Pacific Coast League and initially spent eight games with the team. [16] On August 16,MacKinnon was promoted to the major leagues to replace an injured Ramón Laureano on the roster. [17] In six major league games for Oakland,MacKinnon went 0-for-13. On August 28,he was optioned to Las Vegas. In 16 games for Las Vegas,MacKinnon batted .297 with a home run and nine RBIs. He was non-tendered by the Athletics and became a free agent on November 18.
Samsung Lions
On December 15,2023,MacKinnon signed with the Samsung Lions of the KBO League. [22] In 72 games for Samsung in 2024,he batted .294/.381/.386 with four home runs and 36 RBI. MacKinnon was released by the Lions following the signing of Ruben Cardenas on July 10. [23]
MacKinnon co-hosts Pacific Swings, [24] a baseball podcast focused on NPB,the KBO,and international baseball,alongside Dutch journalist and documentary filmmaker Jasper Spanjaart. The podcast aims to connect baseball cultures across North America,Japan,and South Korea through interviews with current and former players. [25]
MacKinnon described the podcast's aim as giving listeners an unfiltered look at professional baseball:"Just kind of trying to show you what baseball players are like,what the baseball locker rooms are like,and give you stories that you will never hear unless it's two baseball players talking." [26]
Episodes have featured former Yomiuri Giants pitcher Tyler Beede,2024 KBO Home Run King Matt Davidson,and former Seibu teammate Dietrich Enns. [26] MacKinnon has also expressed interest in featuring former Japanese teammates,including Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira,as part of a broader goal to introduce Japanese and Korean players to international audiences. [26]
MacKinnon handles on-air duties and fan engagement,while Spanjaart manages editing and production. "He's unreal at the whole editing process," MacKinnon told The Japan Times . "I'm there for the vibes. I'm there to tell good stories." [26]
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