The Tampa Bay Rays made three selections in the 2017 MLB Draft on Monday: 1B/LHP Brendan McKay, RHP Drew Rasmussen, and RHP Michael Mercado.
1B/LHP Brendan McKay
We had Brendan McKay on the phone last night to get his initial reaction to hearing his name called as the Rays top pick. pic.twitter.com/8dtbRPx489
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 13, 2017
McKay is a unique player that can pitch, play the field at first base, and hit. Recently named Baseball America’s College Player of the Year, the 21 year-old slashed .343 BA/.464 OBP/.657 SLG/1.121 OPS this season with the Louisville Cardinals. He’s hit 17 homers and 13 doubles, driven in 56, and posted a favorable walk-to-strikeout ratio (1.25 BB/K).
As a hurler, he is 10-6 over 16 games (104 innings) as the Cardinals’ ace, and owns an impressive 2.34 ERA, with 140 strikeouts, and a 4.24 K/BB this season.
#Rays GM Erik Neander says the club will explore developing McKay as a two-way player. pic.twitter.com/gvW0QIalln
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 13, 2017
McKay expects to play first base and pitch in the Rays’ Minor League system, and the ball-club appears to be okay with that plan, as it has not committed the draft pick to one role, pitching or hitting.
RHP Drew Rasmussen
OFFICIAL: #Rays select RHP Drew Rasmussen of @BeaverBaseball with the No. 31 overall selection of the #MLBDraft. pic.twitter.com/Wp0BCc8YAf
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 13, 2017
Rasmussen threw the only perfect game in OSU history, a 103 pitch effort against Washington State during his freshman campaign. Prior to his freshman season, the right-hander was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 39th round of the 2014 MLB draft.
Rasmussen missed most of last season — and the first part of this season — while recovering from Tommy-John surgery. He otherwise has been a terror for opposing batters, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.83 ERA.
If he can stay healthy, the Rays may have found themselves a bargain, as many had projected him to be a first round lock before he was bitten by the injury bug. The 6’1″ Rasmussen is a power pitcher with great control, that can hit upwards of 97 mph on the radar gun. His ever improving off-speed stuff (a slider and changeup) keeps hitters guessing.
RHP Michael Mercado
OFFICIAL: #Rays select RHP Michael Mercado out of Westview HS with the No. 40 overall pick of the #MLBDraft. pic.twitter.com/HphMbGZJyH
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 13, 2017
Mercado previously committed to Stanford, so it may be difficult for the Rays to sign the young right-hander, which Scott Grauer (DRaysBay) noted:
The righty has not been featured prominently on the showcase circuit, so he may have a fresh arm. He says he wants to play professionally, and for the Rays to take him on Day 1, they probably know what it will take to sign him.
He fanned 97 and allowed just 29 hits and 17 walks in 70-2/3 innings as a senior at Westview High School, in San Diego, CA.
The Rays have one other opportunity to select another player this afternoon.