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Louisville baseball: 3 former Cards to watch when/if MLB returns

By Alex Payton

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Brendan McKay #49 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against te Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on September 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Brendan McKay #49 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against te Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on September 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 10: Brendan McKay #49 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in game five of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 10: Brendan McKay #49 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in game five of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Brendan McKay – Pitcher/Designated Hitter

2019 stats: 13 games, 2-4, 5.14 ERA, 8 Homeruns allowed, 2 hits, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .200 BA

One of the biggest names in the University of Louisville baseball history and a player who many consider having one of the brightest futures in Major League Baseball is Brendan McKay. It’s rare for a player to both hit and pitch at the highest level, and McKay has done just that. After playing first base and pitching for the Cardinals, he was the consensus selection for the 2017 National Player of the Year.

His accolades at Louisville go on further than can be typed, so just say he basically had them all. He was the highest draft pick in the history of UofL baseball, going fourth overall to the Tampa Bay Rays.

After having success on the mound in the minors, the Rays called him up in June of 2019 after their pitching became depleted. In his debut with his parents in the stands, McKay secured the win for the Rays.

In 2019, he had a record of 2 wins and 4 losses. With 49 total innings pitched, he had an ERA of 5.14. It’s rare for a player in college to both pitch and hit, but it’s even that much harder to continue to so that in the majors. It looks as if the Rays will have him as a pitcher first, but the American League team did allow him to get some at-bats last season.

He served as a designated hitter a couple of times last season because of the ability he showed at the plate with the Cardinals. He only had 10 at-bats but did smack a home run in one of those appearances, batting .200.

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He will play a large role for the Rays in the future and will be a name to watch in the MLb for years to come.

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