The Tampa Bay Rays’ best prospect is getting the call from the big club.
The Rays are calling up Brendan McKay to start on Saturday against the Texas Rangers, as first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
McKay was the No. 4 pick in the 2017 draft out of Louisville. He was a two-way star in college, going 32-10 with a 2.23 career ERA for the Cardinals, while hitting .328 with a .966 OPS, including 18 home runs as a junior.
There were initial questions about how a team would use McKay in pro ball, and the Rays gave him a chance to do both. Though he’s done fine as a hitter in certain stints, his pitching has been the true bright spot.
He’s gone 12-2 with a 1.85 ERA and 212 strikeouts in 163 career minor league innings. This season he has gone 6-0 with a 1.21 ERA across two levels. He has also hit .265 with a .941 OPS since being promoted to Triple-A Durham.
The Rays will have to create space on their roster for McKay, but should be rewarded as he has the potential to give them a huge boost.
