Brendan McKay was possibly the best baseball player to ever play for the Louisville Baseball program. A two-way star, he was an elite pitcher and an excellent first baseman with a powerful bat.
McKay’s career culminated in a trip to the 2017 College World Series and the winning of college baseball’s most prestigious individual award, the Golden Spikes award. After that season, McKay was selected 4th overall in the first round of the MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Yesterday, McKay made his debut for the Rays as a pitcher and he absolutely dazzled on the mound.
A good day to be McKay.#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/Uvm8oTaQt2
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 30, 2019
McKay went 6 innings allowing only a single hit and no runs. Only one batter was walked by McKay while he collected 3 strikeouts. He actually retired the first 16 batters he faced before giving up a hit, which made him perfect through 5 1/3 innings.
5 1/3 perfect. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/UrRR5iwiuk
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 29, 2019
Utilizing a 94-95 mph fastball with pinpoint control and a nasty slider, he kept a dangerous Texas Rangers lineup baffled. Most of the contact he allowed was soft. In fact, the only hit he gave up was a bloop single to RF.
Retiring 16 straight batters to begin your MLB career?
That's making club history right there. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/ksvd4HLk9P
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 29, 2019
Brendan McKay shut down a very prolific offensive lineup in the Rangers. This likely cements his place permanently on the Rays. It will be fun watching our former Card’s career progress. Of course, the question many will have is: will Brendan get a chance to be a DH for the Rays in addition to pitching?
CSZ and all of Louisville would like to congratulate Brendan McKay on his successful debut and look forward to seeing many more performances like this one in the future.
See more of Brendan McKay’s highlights below.
