Billy McKinney: Carolina League Player of the Week

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans announced Monday that outfielder Billy McKinney had been named the Carolina League’s Player of the Week. The 20-year-old McKinney has been on a tear his last ten games. In addition to his .441 average, McKinney has hit 1 HR and has driven in an amazing 15 RBIs in that span.

McKinney was acquired by the Cubs in the Jeff Samardjiza/Jason Hammel trade last summer. He currently leads all Cubs minor leaguers with 4 home runs and 25 RBIs. At .340, his average is tops in the Carolina League.

Last year McKinney played at High-A Daytona and the left-handed hitter came back to High-A Myrtle Beach to work on his defense. If his bat continues to play like this though, he won’t be at Myrtle Beach long. McKinney joins fellow Cubs prospects Cael Brockmeyer, Tyler Skulina, and Dan Vogelbach as being named a player of the week in their respective leagues.

To celebrate the award, McKinney went 2 for 4 today with 3 more RBIs as the Pelicans won 8-5 over the Winston-Salem Dash.