LUBBOCK, Texas -- The National College Baseball Hall of Fame is proud to announce Brendan McKay from Louisville as the 2015 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year.
Just a freshman, McKay was a fixture on the mound and at the plate for the Cardinals, who finished with the top regular-season record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. At the plate, the first baseman/designated hitter had a stellar first season, hitting cleanup and batting .308 with four home runs and 34 RBIs in 61 games. On the mound, the left-handed McKay solidified the Saturday starting role for Louisville, going 9-3 with a 1.77 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings.
"We had another outstanding class of two-way players this season, all of whom could have won the award," Olerud co-chairman George Watson said. "What set Brendan apart was his competitiveness as a freshman to solidify tough roles both at the plate and on the mound and to do so with the maturity and mental toughness of a seasoned veteran."
The award, named for the Washington State star who achieved success as both a first baseman and left-handed pitcher, will be presented Monday at the Hall of Fame's annual Night of Champions event, along with the National Pitcher of the Year Award, the Brooks Wallace Award for most outstanding shortstop and the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year Award.
For more information on the Olerud Award or the College Baseball Hall of Fame's Night of Champions, visit www.mlb.com/college-baseball-hall-of-fame/awards/john-olerud-award.