The 2017 MLB Draft is underway, and it began with a bit of a surprise. It was expected entering Monday that the Minnesota Twins would select two-way star Brendan McKay, but the Louisville product reportedly turned down Minnesota’s offer, and the Twins chose to go with high school shortstop Royce Lewis.
Brendan McKay passed on offer made to him by @Twins at 1. Look for Royce Lewis to go 1-1, guessing McKay goes 4 to Rays. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 12, 2017
Lewis is ranked as Baseball America’s No. 5 overall prospect, and behind McKay, high school two-way phenom Hunter Greene, and Vanderbilt pitcher Kyle Wright according to most draft-related publications.
Still, Lewis is a very exciting prospect as a well-rounded player at a premium position.
Meet Royce Lewis – and #RememberTheName.
#MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/o0ocu5GqEM— MLB (@MLB) June 9, 2017
One general manager is apparently even dropping a Derek Jeter comp on Lewis:
One rival GM on Royce Lewis: "could be another jeter" #twins
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 12, 2017
The Cincinnati Reds then were able to get the guy they wanted all along with the No. 2 pick, in the incredibly talented Hunter Greene:
Hunter Greene is quite an impressive young man. The prep righty from Notre Dame hs in sherman oaks also has hit 100 mph on gun.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/874046139775021057
Reds draft Hunter Greene as a pitcher. Here's why. Electric arm. https://t.co/xdPG8FfmbF
— Michael Lananna (@mlananna) June 12, 2017
As for McKay, he went to the Tampa Bay Rays with the No. 4 pick, and is expected to break Kris Bryant’s record bonus of $6.7 million. Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan adds that McKay will play first base and pitch in the Rays’ system:
Brendan McKay officially goes No. 4 to Tampa Bay — and he's expected to break Kris Bryant's bonus record of $6.7M since pools implemented.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 12, 2017
MLB Network's draft show is incorrect. Brendan McKay expects to play first base and pitch in the Tampa Bay Rays' minor league system.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 12, 2017
Brendan McKay confirms the Minnesota Twins at #1 "offered a number" . . . . "another team had a better offer and we went with that."
— Jody Demling (@jdemling) June 13, 2017
Brendan McKay, Louisville 1B/LHP. #L1C4 #MLBDraft
On the Mound: 10-3, 2.34 ERA, 140Ks, 104.0IP
At the Plate: .343, 17HRs, 13 doubles, 56RBI pic.twitter.com/XHqOijSQeN— Louisville Baseball (@LouisvilleBSB) June 12, 2017
Click here to see every pick so far in the draft.
[Photo Credit: D1Baseball.Com]
