University of Louisville junior Brendan McKay was named Wednesday to the preseason watch list for the 2017 Golden Spikes Award. The 55-player list was announced by USA Baseball and is the first step in identifying the top amateur baseball player in the nation for the 2017 season.
Wednesday’s announcement marked the second consecutive year McKay has been included on the watch list for the Golden Spikes Award. The lefthanded pitcher and first baseman from Darlington, Pennsylvania was selected as a semifinalist for the award in each of his first two collegiate seasons. The 40th Golden Spikes Award will be presented in partnership with the Rod Dedeaux Foundation on June 29 in Los Angeles.
McKay was tabbed as the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year and earned First Team All-America honors in each of his first two seasons at Louisville. As a sophomore in 2016, McKay had a 12-4 record with a 2.30 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 17 starts on the mound, while hitting .333 with six home runs, 19 doubles and 41 RBI at the plate. The two-time All-ACC First Team selection also had a stellar summer hitting .326 with five RBI in 13 starts as a hitter and registering a 2-1 record with a 1.35 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 13.1 innings on the mound for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
McKay emerged on the scene with an impressive rookie season in 2015 when he was selected as national Freshman of the Year by four different organizations, was a First Team All-American and won his first John Olerud Award. McKay closed his first season at Louisville with a 9-3 record, 1.77 ERA, four saves and 117 strikeouts in 96.2 innings on the mound while also hitting .308 with four home runs, 34 RBI and 14 doubles in 58 starts as a hitter.
The No. 6 Cardinals open the 2017 season Friday at 3 p.m., ET against Alabama State at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. Louisville will also play No. 22 Maryland on Saturday at 6 p.m., before closing the weekend against Ball State on Sunday at 1 p.m. All three games will be played at the spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Louisville’s 2017 home-opener is set for Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m., ET at Jim Patterson Stadium against Eastern Kentucky.
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Garett Wall
Assistant Sports Information Director
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