For this next installment of the “Gwinnett Greats” series, we would like to honor Atlanta Braves catcher, Brian McCann! Brian graduated from Duluth High School in 2002 where he was ranked the 26^th high school prospect in the country by Baseball America. While he had initially committed to continue his baseball career at Alabama, McCann had a change of plans when he was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft. He played two and a half seasons with one of the Atlanta Braves minor league affiliates scoring 94 runs and totaling 158 RBI. Brian made his major league debut in 2005 for the Braves playing against the Oakland A’s. Brian played with the Braves from 2005-2013 where he appeared in 7 All-Star games, earned 5 Silver Slugger honors, and received votes for the National League MVP award. In 2014, McCann signed a five-year contract with the New York Yankees and made his debut playing at first base. Brian returned to his position behind the plate as a catcher in 2015. That same year he received his 6^th Silver Slugger Award. McCann recorded his ninth straight season hitting at least 20 home-runs in 2016 before being traded to the Houston Astros. At the Astros, Brian became the 10^th catcher all-time to record 11,000 career putouts at the position and was a part of the 2017 World Series winning team. In 2018, McCann made his return to the Braves and is residing once again in Gwinnett County. On June 14^th, 2019, McCann had recorded another huge career milestone by earning his 1000^th RBI, a walk-off single against the Phillies.

Congratulations, Brian, on all your success in the MLB! Gwinnett County is excited to welcome you back to where it all began!