Brendan McKay wins third straight John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award
LUBBOCK, Texas -- In his three seasons wearing the red and black of Louisville, there's not much junior Brendan McKay hasn't accomplished.
From embedding himself into the Cardinals record book to becoming a potential No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, McKay's collegiate baseball career will be remembered as one of the most decorated in the game's history. Now, he can add yet another accomplishment.
McKay is the 2017 winner of the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, making him the first three-time winner in the award's history.
"We've known and seen for two years the tremendous ability Brendan has on the mound, at the plate and in the field," said George Watson, chairman of the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year selection committee. "But what stood out about Brendan this year, in speaking with those around him, is the dedication he showed to both the Louisville program and his desire to be a better person and better teammate even while the spotlight was focused squarely on him. We are honored to have Brendan represent the John Olerud Award once again this year."
Despite receiving plenty of attention going into the season as a potential top-round draft pick, McKay did not let the pressure affect his game. Heiading nto the Super Regional round -- a round the Cardinals reached for the fourth straight season -- McKay was hitting .356 with 17 home runs and 55 RBI to go along with a .695 slugging percentage, numbers that top all his hitting statistics from last season.
On the mound, McKay assumed the role of ace on a team that had eight players drafted from the 2016 squad. He compiled a 9-3 record and 2.31 ERA, striking out 131 batters in 97 1/3 innings. Opposing batters hit just .173 off the left-hander.
McKay was also named the 2017 Player of the Year and first-team All-American by Baseball America as well as Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Player of the Year. He also earned Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors.
The Olerud award is named for the former Washington State University standout who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s and who was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation in July in conjunction with the MLB All-Star Game festivities in Miami.
For more information on the Olerud Award or the College Baseball Hall of Fame's Night of Champions, visit www.collegebaseballhall.org.