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Buy Brendan McKay Rookie Cards on eBay
Brendan McKay (12/18/95) is a pitcher and designated hitter who passed up on the opportunity to play for the San Diego Padres when he was picked in the 34th round of the 2014 MLB draft.
It proved to be the correct decision, as he was later selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round (4th overall) in the 2017 draft, earning a massive signing bonus. He made his major league debut in June 2019, and big things are expected in the future.
Here’s everything you need to know about three of the best Brendan McKay rookie cards, along with investment advice for the future.
Best 3 Brendan McKay Rookie Cards
We’ll be focusing on 2017 as McKay has a variety of interesting prospect cards that were released in the first year he was drafted. We’d recommend looking at gem mint versions when possible, as the cards are still reasonably new.
2017 Brendan McKay Bowman Draft RC #CDABM (buy on eBay)
The first card on the list is part of the 2017 Chrome Draft Pick Autographs Set.
A crystal clear image of McKay takes center stage, as he stares up towards a ball in the sky. His Rays jersey is clearly visible, while there’s an understated background design that leaves the focus on the player. There’s a 1st Bowman logo on the top left corner, and there’s a white patch at the bottom to allow for an on-card auto-filled in blue ink.
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Parallels: Base Refractor (/499), Purple (/250), Blue (/150), Blue Wave (/150), Green (/99), Black (/75), Blue Bowman 70th Logo (/70), Gold (/50), Gold Wave (/50), Orange (/25), Red (/5), Red Wave (/5), Black Wave (1/1), SuperFractor (1/1), Printing Plates (1/1)
2017 Brendan McKay Bowman’s Best RC #B17BMC (buy on eBay)
Featured in the Best of 2017 Autographs Set, this is another signed card that is definitely a great investment option.
There are two image variations, which either shows McKay swinging a bat or preparing to catch a ball. A bunch of rare parallels up the value considerably, and they’re all numbered to 99 or less. It’s not my favorite design of his 2017 options, but that hasn’t stopped it from being one of the more popular McKay RCs at auction.
Parallels: Refractor, Green Refractor (/99), Gold Refractor (/50), Atomic Refractor (/25), Red Refractor (/10), SuperFractor (1/1), Printing Plates (1/1)
2017 Brendan McKay Bowman Chrome Draft RC #BD100 (buy on eBay)
As well as the base card and the parallels listed above, McKay has an SSP in the 2017 Bowman Draft Baseball set, with this autographed version limited to just 99. The base card shows an image of McKay in motion wearing a white kit, while the SSP shows him pitching in blue. This is arguably the better photo of the two, with a strong action shot of the player as he raises one knee with a ball in his glove.
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You’ll find an on-card auto at the bottom, along with a 1st Bowman logo found at the top.
Parallels: Silver (/499), Purple (/250), Blue (/150), Green (/99), Gold (/50), Orange (/25), Red (/5), Black (1/1), Printing Plates (1/1)
Brendan McKay Rookie Card Checklist
- 2015 Panini Contenders Rookie Auto Cracked Ice /23 #AG0996
- 2017 Bowman Chrome Draft #CDABM
- 2017 Bowman Draft #BDC100
- 2017 Bowman’s Best RC #B17BMC
- 2018 Panini Contenders Draft RC AUTO /99 #19
- 2018 Topps Bowman High Tek On Card Autograph
- 2018 Bowman Chrome Shimmer Refractor AUTO /50
- 2020 Topps Inception Magenta Rookie Auto Autograph /99 #G82
- 2020 Topps Living Set #319
- 2020 Bowman Sterling Rookie Auto #BSRABM
- 2020 Absolute Leather Auto RC
- 2020 Topps Chrome Refractor
- 2020 Donruss Optic
- 2020 Topps Inception Rookie Patch Auto Autograph /155 #G83
- 2020 Panini Absolute Black Laces/Seams Autograph RC #d
- 2020 Topps Rookie Progression #12D-A
- 2020 Topps Gypsy Queen RC
- 2020 Topps Tribute Rookie Auto Autograph RC /150 #G82
- 2020 Bowman Chrome Top 100 Refractor Insert
- 2020 Topps Inception RPA Rookie Jumbo Patch Auto /90 #IAJP-BM
- 2020 Absolute On The Ball RC Auto RC /99
- 2020 Topps Chrome Hyper Refractor RC #8
- 2020 Topps Museum RC
- 2020 Topps Baseball’s Finest Flashbacks #180
- 2020 Topps Heritage RC
- 2020 Diamond Kings Dual Jersey Auto Rookie
- 2020 Panini Select Holo
- 2020 Panini Prizm #153
- 2020 Topps On Demand 3D RC Rookie Card Motion #M-18 SP
Brendan McKay Rookie Cards: Investment Advice
Investment Rating: Pass (2.8 out of 5)
Ownership Disclosure: None
Best Alec Bohm Rookie Card: 2017 Bowman Draft RC #CDABM
Positive Covid-19 results and shoulder tightness have held back the rookie during the beginning of the 2020 season, and his team could do with his help after a poor start. However, manager Kevin Cash noted that the shoulder problems could be worse than first expected, which would obviously be devastating for both the player and the team;
“Brendan has noted that he has had some issues, even dating back to last year, after his San Diego start (on Aug. 13) he said he didn’t feel right, I’m not totally sure that he has completely gotten past that of having no issue. His buildup was going well and then after an outing he kind of went in and said, ‘I just feel really tight and not comfortable in my shoulder area.’ “
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Update: McKay is having season-ending surgery and is not expected to return in 2020.
In terms of McKay’s rookie cards, there’s no lack of signed options available, and various rare parallels are worth decent money already. It’s not like he won’t get opportunities to play as long as he’s fit, so it depends on how much faith you have in his ability to live up to the hype… were not buying in yet.