Florida Atlantic University Athletics
FAU's David McKay Drafted by Royals in 14th Round
6/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BOCA RATON, Fla. â€" Florida Atlantic University pitcher David McKay was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 14 round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
"My dreams finally came true," McKay said. "I'm excited to see what this has in store for me. Kansas City was interested in me and that's who I thought would draft me. They do a good job of developing pitchers, so I'm ready to get started."
McKay, a redshirt sophomore, made 14 starts on the hill for FAU this season, striking out a team-high 66 batters. McKay owned a 3.74 ERA with three victories in 74.2 innings of work with just 62 hits allowed. The righty held batters to an average of only .222 â€" the best among FAU starters and the fourth-best in Conference USA. McKay helped anchor one of the best pitching staffs in C-USA which led FAU to a Conference USA Championship, a 39-19 record and the program's 12th appearance in an NCAA Regional.
The Melbourne native ranked among the top ten C-USA pitchers in fewest hits allowed, strikeouts, fewest runs allowed, and fewest doubles allowed. McKay struck out a career-high 14 batters in just seven innings against LIU Brooklyn early in the season.
"I am happy for Dave," FAU Head Coach John McCormack said. "He overcame Tommy John surgery and has put together a nice career. He will do well in professional baseball."
McKay is the 84th draft selection since 1984 for the FAU Baseball team and was selected in the 30th round of the 2014 draft by the New York Mets.
McKay joins FAU shortstop CJ Chatham in this year's draft class. Chatham was a second-round pick to the Boston Red Sox.