Tampa Bay Rays 2021 First Round Draft target: Ky Bush

How can you not love a guy named Ky? I can already hear the chants now, “Cy-Ky, Cy-Ky, Cy-Ky.” Alright, now I’m getting ahead of myself.

However, Jonathan Mayo, a very respected draft analyst for MLB.com, mocked the lefty to the Rays recently. So, let’s learn about Ky.

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Who is Ky Bush?

Ky Bush is a left-handed pitcher out of St. Mary’s College in California. Bush has had an interesting path to this point, to say the least.

Bush was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 40th round in 2018, but selected to sign with Washington State University. However, after a brutal first season, Bush transferred to Central Arizona Junior College for his sophomore season. He figured things out a bit in AZ, and headed to St. Mary’s for the 2021 season.

The Gaels had to be happy to have Bush, as he pitched to a 7-5 record for St Mary’s, with a 2.99 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. Along with those stats, Bush was incredible at keeping the ball in the yard, allowing only 0.3 home runs per nine innings pitched.

During the 2021 season, Bush was named the WCC Pitcher of the Week, as well as the Collegiate Baseball Pitcher of the Week, and finished the season as a member of the All-WCC First Team.

What is Ky Bush?

I am a big supporter of making your first-round pick a college player, but Bush is a college player that will need the patience of a high school selection.

He only has one solid season under his belt in the NCAA, and that could be concerning. However, the stuff is undeniable.

According to MLB.com, Bush is ranked as the 67th best prospect in the draft. Bush is ranked a 50 out of 80 overall, with his highest tool being his fastball sitting at a 60/80 ranking. However, the Rays are the best team at developing pitching, so taking a shot at Bush might not be a bad call.

The Rays have not been scared to select left-handed pitchers in the first round. Since 2011, the Rays have selected four lefties, they were Blake Snell, Grayson Garvin, Brendan McKay, and Matthew Liberatore. Not a bad list.

How would Ky Bush fit with the Tampa Bay Rays?

In short, I am not sure. Being a college guy, I think the risk is worth it with Bush, especially since he has already faced adversity in his career. However, the pick of Bush should depend on the draft board.

If someone like Gavin Williams or Michael McGreevy are still on the board, I would like to see the Rays look at them, over Bush.

However, I would love to see this pick be a college arm, so if Bush is the guy the Rays love, I’m with it.