Hello Everybody,

I wanted to send you all an email about Brendan McKay, who was drafted with the 4th pick of the 1st round of the MLB draft last night by the Tampa Bay Rays.  Brendan was the first college player taken; as the first three picks where high school players. To hear Brendan’s name last night being called in this draft was a very emotional and proud moment for me as his old coach.  Brendan was a BV lifer, and played with our program for ALL the possible years we offered, during his 7 years in our organization, BK was unstoppable at the plate and on the mound.  He has become quite famous for his on field stone face and ice in his veins demeanor, and that has always been there from the time he started playing with us at age 9.  He was always a great kid – a quiet kid that just showed up and gave you everything he had every game.  Through my years of running BV, I have coached against some of the best in the big leagues today, we yearly competed against Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Kris Bryant, Buster Posey, and the list goes on and on – all these players dominated the game all the way through.  Brendan growing up was not as big as these kids, he was tall and lean, but I have to tell you that he dominated the game just like the greats of the big leaguers today.  In his time in a BV uniform, I can’t remember a time he looked outmatched as a hitter, and I can’t remember a time where he was really knocked around on the mound.  He has worked very hard to build his frame, and he is a feared left handed hitter, as he was drafted as a first basemen.  None of the accomplishments and awards BK has won are a surprise to me – he has always been at the top of the level he was playing – what he has done in his college career is the same thing he did in his high school career and the same thing he did in his travel baseball career and that is in a simple word DOMINATE!!  It was an honor to coach this young man for the years that I was able to, I am so proud of his work ethic and what he has worked hard to accomplish, and I am very happy for his family (his dad Bruce still stops down at West Mayfield from time to time to say hi and watch a BV practice)!!  I’m not sure what the future will hold for this young man, but I know the Rays got a big time player, with a big league demeanor, and a fantastic person!!  Hats off to Brendan McKay!!

Thanks,

Brian