ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays and first-round draft pick Brendan McKay have agreed to a minor league contract that includes a signing bonus of $7,005,000, the highest since constraints on draft spending began in 2012.
The University of Louisville pitcher/first baseman was the fourth overall selection in the amateur draft this month and will begin his pro career with Class A Hudson Valley in July, the Rays said Tuesday.
The left-hander went 11-3 with a 2.56 ERA and a school-record 146 strikeouts in 16 starts as a junior at Louisville, leading the Cardinals to a berth in the College World Series while also winning the Dick Howser Trophy presented annually to the nation’s top college player.