On the same day that SI put a high school baseball player on its cover, a top college prospect reminded everyone why he should still be in the mix to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming MLB draft.
Brendan McKay, a junior for Louisville, clubbed four home runs and drove in 9 during the Cardinals’ 14-4 win over Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday.
Brendan McKay hit 4 HOME RUNS and had 9 RBI today! The four HRs are the most by an individual in NCAA D1 this year.
WHAT. A. DAY. #L1C4 pic.twitter.com/MpRNOTBlTQ
— Louisville Baseball (@UofLBaseball) April 25, 2017
A look at the show Brendan McKay is providing today against @EKUSports. 4 HRs 9 RBI. More w/ @FredCowgillWLKY shortly. pic.twitter.com/n562S1BYX5
— Dan Koob (@DanKoob_WLKY) April 25, 2017
McKay hit a pair of 2-run home runs on 3-1 counts in his first two at-bats, then a 3-run shot in the 4th, and another 2-run blast in the 9th. He went 4-for-5 in the game, with the lone out being a strike out. The pitcher who K’d him should be celebrating.
McKay entered the game batting .388 with seven home runs on the season. He said afterwards that it was his first multi-homer game in a very long time.
Louisville's Brendan McKay talks about his 4 HR game… pic.twitter.com/hkdLseBqRz
— Michael McCammon (@mcmichael20) April 26, 2017
“Fun but it’s also weird knowing that all of your hits were home runs. By the third and fourth time, all your teammates are trying to get in on the fun. Still, they’re trying to mess with you.”
The four home runs tied a school record set in 1976, according to Louisville.
The 4 HR for Brendan McKay equals the school record set by Jim LaFountain on April 24, 1976 against Western Kentucky. #goodatbaseball
— Louisville Baseball (@UofLBaseball) April 25, 2017
In addition to being a slugger for the Cardinals, McKay is also a top pitcher. He has gone 5-3 with a 1.83 ERA this season. He has allowed just 37 hits while striking out 83 in 59 innings.
McKay has helped Louisville become one of the top-ranked programs in the country this season. He is one of the players in consideration for the top pick in the draft, which the Minnesota Twins hold. Another potential prospect is high schooler Hunter Greene, who is on this week’s SI cover.
