Ian McKinney was on the phone with a Cleveland Indians scout when he heard a scream and saw his step-dad come running into his room.
“He told me I got drafted in the fifth round. I told the scout I had to go and saw my name on the screen,” McKinney said. “I was definitely surprised.”
McKinney, a left-handed pitcher from Boone, said his advisor told him that he would likely be taken in the sixth round. His time came earlier than expected as the St. Louis Cardinals picked him with the 155th overall selection.
“It was very suspenseful. I’m still a little shook up about it,” he said.
Based on where he was drafted, McKinney, a UCF signee, is slotted to make a $303,300 bonus should he chose to sign with the Cardinals.
“UCF is a great school but pro ball is always a great choice,” he said. “It’s a big decision I have to make and I have to make it soon. I plan on making my decision in the next week or two.”
McKinney went 7-1 with a 1.08 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings this past season for Boone and led the Braves to the Class 8A, District 4 championship.
Austin Lyon can be reached at austin.lyon@bhsn.com. Follow him on Twitter, @AustinRLyon