Brendan McKay Selected No. 4 by Rays in 2017 MLB Draft

The Tampa Bay Rays targeted a possible franchise cornerstone Monday when they selected Brendan McKay from the Louisville Cardinals with the No. 4 pick in the 2017 MLB draft.

McKay was a pitcher and first baseman for the Cardinals and was a three-time winner of the John Olerud Award as the best two-way player in college baseball. Baseball America ranked him as the No. 3 prospect in the country behind only Hunter Greene and Kyle Wright.

Here's what social media had to say about the Rays' newest addition:

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported in May the Minnesota Twins were "leaning towards" taking McKay with the top overall pick, and Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune called him "arguably the best two-way prospect in decades."

McKay would often pitch Friday games for Louisville, then serve as either a designated hitter or first baseman over the weekend contests. That type of versatility could help him move through the minor leagues at a quicker pace to help address various needs at the major league level, but he may ultimately narrow his focus on one position.

Power is not a problem with McKay's bat. He drilled four home runs in one game against Eastern Kentucky, and Jim Callis of MLB.com praised his "fine control of the strike zone" as someone who "might be the best pure college hitter available."

However, McKay can also hit 95 mph on the radar gun as a pitcher and features a solid curveball to keep opposing hitters guessing.

In theory, he will become an even better pitcher or hitter as he narrows his focus considering he already has plenty of power at the dish and multiple out pitches to hone on the mound. One could argue formidable southpaws are more valuable than power-hitting first basemen as a supply-and-demand analysis, but becoming a hitter would allow him to impact the game on an everyday basis.

The Rays drafted McKay as a first baseman, so they intend to get his bat in the lineup whenever he arrives in the big leagues. 

Offense has been a problem for the Rays in recent years. Evan Longoria is their last All-Star position player developed in-house. McKay has the kind of high-ceiling profile to join that group as soon as he steps foot in Tampa Bay.