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Brendan McKay was just named the top amateur baseball player in the country, capping off a high school and college career that may rank as one of the greatest of all time and a just ending as is being award the Golden Spikes award to finish it off.
The Golden Spikes award has been around since 1978, it is given to the player that is considered to be the top amateur player in the country (but usually given to college players).
"Brendan McKay has proven to be the epitome of a two-way player with his success on the mound and at the plate this year, and we are elated to honor his tremendous season by naming him the recipient of the fortieth Golden Spikes Award," said Paul Seiler, Executive Director/CEO of USA Baseball.
Four former Rays have been awarded the Golden Spikes award: Travis Lee (1996), Pat Burrell (1998), Rickie Weeks (2003), and David Price (2007). Some of the games top prospects and current top players have also been recipitents of the award, such as Buster Posey (2008), Bryce Harper (2010), Kris Bryant (2013), and Andrew Benintendi (2015).
Brendan McKay signed with the Rays on Tuesday a record deal during the draft-slot era. He’ll likely begin his professional career sometime in mid-July with the Hudson Valley Renegades.