Rays give 4th overall pick Brendan McKay record-setting signing bonus
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- 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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Director of amateur scouting Rob Metzler said the Rays plan to develop McKay as a two-way prospect, confident he has the talent and skills to "impact a major league roster on the mound, in the batter's box and defensively at first base."
McKay's bonus tops the $7 million agreed to this month by Atlanta and Vanderbilt right-hander Kyle Wright, the fifth overall pick.