Two-way college star Brendan McKay will begin his professional career with the Tampa Bay Rays, who selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
In McKay’s three years at Louisville, he’s won the John Olerud Award, which is awarded to college baseball’s top two-way player each season. A first baseman and left-handed pitcher, McKay doesn’t favor one position more than the other, but the Rays prefer him as a position player.
With a smooth left-handed swing, McKay uses all-fields at the plate with average power that could improve if he concentrates exclusively on hitting.
On the mound, McKay has a three-pitch mix, featuring a low-90s fastball, a curveball and an improving changeup, which he spent the off-season refining. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound lefty also has above-average control.
Pro teams are confident McKay can polish his rough edges, whether it’s as a position player or pitcher, once he focuses on one position.
The bonus slot value for the No. 4 overall pick is $12,528,100.
Read my feature article on Brendan McKay here:
—An intriguing two-way player: Brendan McKay
