MLB mock draft: Hunter Greene draws intrigue
By John McCarty
4. Tampa Bay Rays
2016 Record: 68-94
Selection: Brendan McKay, LHP/1B, Louisville
Signing Bonus Slot Value: $6,153,600
Once thought to be the top overall pick, the Rays are excited to land the versatile college player. There is, to a maybe a greater degree, questions about where McKay’s future stands at. He is one of if not the best college hitter in the draft, but is also a really good left hand pitcher.
On the mound, McKay mixes solid mechanics and good command of low 90’s fastball, developing change up and a really good curve to be one of if not the best college pitcher in the draft. There is hope that if McKay concentrates on pitching, he could develop some velocity on the fastball and develop the change up.
At the plate, McKay displays a quick bat with gap power, but projects to be a high contact, high on base type player with good defense and obviously a strong arm for the position. At the plate, the name John Olerud continues to come up as a comparison for McKay, who was also a strong two-way player at Washington State.
When discussing negatives, the consensus appears to be his ceiling at either position. On the mound, McKay is not overpowering, and the development of his secondary pitches could have a large impact on just how good of a pitcher he can be. At the plate, in similar fashion to the pitching side, there are concerns about the power/home run development. Will a power bat develop if he concentrates only on hitting?
Not sure what or where Tampa would play McKay. Perhaps as an American League team that would, at least early, move him to pitcher but allow him to play DH a couple times a week to evaluate both in the early stages.