BOSTON -- If anyone had any concern Wednesday when the Red Sox' first two choices in the amateur draft were from Massachusetts, perhaps they should be aware of Kevin McGlinchy, who only four years ago was an outfielder for Malden High School.

McGlinchy is in town this weekend in his new role as a setup man for the Atlanta Braves. Yes, the same Braves who in recent years have dominated the National League. McGlinchy, 22, made the club despite having fewer than three full seasons of professional ball under his belt.

McGlinchy was in the right place at the right time. The Braves knew in John Rocker (who earned his 11th save yesterday) they had a closer good enough to replace Mark Wohlers, who developed wildness and finally was dropped. When the club also lost Kerry Ligtenberg because of injury, it opened up a spot in the bullpen that turned out to be a perfect fit for the hard-throwing McGlinchy.

"All I can tell you is that he came out of nowhere," said manager Bobby Cox. "He was just a young kid who was a starter at rookie league Danville [9-8, 129 Ks in 142 1/3 innings] who we asked to pitch in winter ball in Puerto Rico. I liked his arm and his control. That's why he made the club right out of spring training. He's going to be an outstanding closer in the near future. He could be one of the better ones."

Although Wohlers had some success, the Braves have searched for years for a fireballing closer who could complement the best starting staff in baseball. Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine can't pitch complete games every day. Rocker has been in 25 games, recording those 11 saves and compiling a 1.85 earned run average. McGlinchy has appeared in 25 games and his 2.05 ERA is not far behind Rocker's.

Rocker is a lefthander. The righthanded McGlinchy is a 6-foot-5-inch, 220-pound stick of dynamite. Pitchers like that are hard to come by these days.

"It's like a breath of fresh air," said Cox. "But it's that way because of all of our kids who are out there. He has just been great."

McGlinchy also was in the right place at the right time in that he is a New England kid who discovered his true baseball skill late, turning to pitching in 1995 after he graduated from high school. He was a fifth-round draft choice of the Braves. Making the change after four years as an outfielder at Malden was a tough decision.

"I loved to hit," he said. "But I made the move and it has worked out for the best. Pitching in Atlanta is more special than anywhere else I can think of. You have the best pitching staff in the game.

"You get some instruction that teaches you everything you want to know. Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine are all guys who take a rookie like me under their wing and let me know the ropes. I'm happy with my role. I never even thought I'd be here."

McGlinchy has received praise for his poise and courage. Whether he's facing Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, or some other slugger, it's all the same to him.

"I approach everybody the same," he said. "I go with my strengths instead of theirs. I'm aggressive. That's my whole style - going after hitters. I'm not out there to trick them.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I'm just going to keep going out there. I enjoy pitching. Who knows what they're going to do in the future? There are a lot of things to look at. Right now, we have a closer who is doing a great job. I'm not worried about it."

Being on the same team with Glavine, who is from Billerica, is a plus, added McGlinchy.

"Tom's definitely a competitor," said McGlinchy. "And I guess I'm a little like him. Most guys from this area are usually cool about that sort of thing. There's something about them that lets them get down to business. I know he's plugging for me every second to do the best I can."

Coming back to Fenway Park this weekend as a Brave is an experience he won't soon forget.

"It's not a big deal just being in the park," he said. "But it's a big deal to sit in the bullpen during a game, looking at the sights and the people. I'm glad I'm home."