Rays plan on using 1st-round pick McKay as 2-way player
"Two-way McKay" will get the chance to live up to his nickname as a professional.
Brendan McKay, the standout left-handed pitcher/first baseman from the University of Louisville, was made the fourth overall pick in the MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night, thanks to his abilities on both sides of the ball. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced McKay as a first baseman only when he revealed the pick, but don't be fooled - the Rays plan to develop the 21-year-old as a two-way prospect full time once he joins their minor-league system.
"He's (McKay's) probably the first guy in as long as we can remember that has qualified on both sides of the ball to do this," Rays general manager Erik Neander said in a statement following the pick. "We're excited to get him in here and explore it further and do it responsibly, but to make the most of his talent and the opportunity."
Indeed, McKay truly excelled in both roles during his time at Louisville. This past season, he made 16 starts for the Cardinals and averaged over 12 strikeouts per nine innings while allowing just five home runs and putting up a 2.15 ERA. When he wasn't on the mound, McKay was anchoring the Cardinals' lineup with a .343/.464/.657 slash line, 17 home runs, and a .314 isolated power. He also showed a great batting eye, walking 45 times to 36 strikeouts.
Those stellar numbers earned McKay his third consecutive John Olerud Award, which honors the NCAA's top two-way player.
Having now established his credentials at the collegiate level, McKay's now feeling ready to accept the Rays' challenge and at least try to make some history in the pros.
"I love hitting, and I love pitching," McKay told reporters after being drafted Monday, according to Steve Jones of the Louisville Courier-Journal. "If a guy can handle his arm and his body and not get worn down and stay healthy, it could add a whole new level in having two guys in one that can do both. The Rays have said we're going to experiment with it and see if it's a feasible thing to do."
Talk of a legitimate two-way player in Major League Baseball has picked up in recent years, thanks to the likes of McKay, standout prep pitcher/shortstop Hunter Greene - this year's second overall pick - and Japanese superstar Shohei Otani, an All-Star in his home country at both pitcher and DH who might make the jump to the United States this winter.
MLB has not seen a two-way everyday player since Babe Ruth was a pitcher and outfielder for the Red Sox in 1919.