Potential No. 1 selection McKay wants to be both pitcher, hitter
While the 2017 MLB Draft lacks a consensus No. 1 pick, the top two selections share a common remarkable attribute: they're both two-way players, and one of them is serious about taking those talents to the majors.
Brendan McKay is a left-handed pitcher and first baseman who currently plays for the University of Louisville.
"As long as I can do it, I want to try to do it," McKay told Steve Jones of USA Today regarding the possibility of being both a pitcher and a hitter at the MLB level.
To his credit, McKay is surprised at this two-way development, claiming he "never thought it would come to this, being at such a level of hitting and pitching."
The 21-year-old prospect is joined at the top of most draft boards by high school prospect Hunter Greene, who is a shortstop and pitcher. The 17-year-old lacks the development McKay has enjoyed in college, but could also make the case for being a two-way athlete.
The top selection in the upcoming draft is property of the Minnesota Twins, an American League team which employs the designated hitter.
The second overall pick belongs to the Cincinnati Reds, who happen to employ two-way player Michael Lorenzen, who has pitched 24 1/3 innings in relief, while also hitting a home run in five at-bats.
The draft gets underway June 12.