Sam McKay RHP / Colonel By, ON / 2025
OTTAWA, Ontario – A “changed frame” has Sam McKay on track to play college baseball with a commitment to Canisius.
“From last summer to this summer I’ve elevated my game,” McKay explained. “I changed my frame so I can step on campus and play. I changed my sights on what level I wanted to play and that made me more ambitious. I was more focused on being more college-ready. I’m more of a late-bloomer and Canisius likes that type of player. I’m glad my recruitment came later.”
A Blue Jays Academy showcase is where Canisius first saw the 28th-rated 2025 right-handed pitcher in Ontario and not long after “I took a step in the right direction in the offseason” according to McKay.
“I changed my frame, changed my fitness level and took off 15 to 20 pounds,” related the 18-year-old, who is now in a gap year before heading off to college. “This year was my first with the Mets program and the goal was to get recruited this summer. I put together a list of schools and Canisius checked all the boxes. It was close to home, had good academics, I like what the coaching staff is doing, they’re successful and they have a lot of Canadians.
“After that I got on the phone with (head) coach (Matt) Mazurek because they were my first choice. He mentioned he saw me at a couple showcases and coach (Rich) Leach and coach (Ryan) McBride with the Mets guided me through the talks and I narrowed down a plan to get there.”
Once on campus with a Nov. 8 visit, “I knew it was where I needed to be,” McKay said. “I got offered the next day and I ended up accepting not too long after. It was my number one choice.”
Admittedly, recruitment was not heavy for the 65th-ranked senior in Ontario.
“I had a couple of JUCO options and a couple of other mid-majors, but throughout my process I was not in a lot of serious talks,” McKay explained. “I went to a couple Prep Baseball events and the 2023 New York State Games got me some Division III and JUCO interest. That helped me see my options and what baseball in America was like.
“I didn’t get my first offer until this summer, but I didn’t know where I’d land or at what level. I just focused on narrowing down my options and the Mets helped me with that.”
The “changed frame” proved vital in finding a college home.
“In 2022 when Canisius first saw me I was 6-1 180 throwing 84-86 miles an hour,” McKay reflected. “That winter I got up to 89, but I started to have a lot of arm pain in the summer of 2023 and my velocity went down to 80-84. I was 6-2 220 and unhappy where I was. I wasn’t ready to step on a campus and make an impact.
“Then I went to the Mets and got in the weight room, changed my diet and my overall lifestyle. I was clocked at 82 on a good day and I got to work. I shaved off 15 to 20 pounds and changed up my frame and mindset to an attack mindset. I changed my mechanics with the Mets pitching staff and went from 81-84 to 91-92 in the offseason.”
It made an impression on Canisius.
“They like that I have a big frame but can move fast,” McKay noted. “They like that I have a lot more to add with a lot more work to do in the weight room.”
McKay is confident he can provide a valuable arm in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference program.
“I know I’m going to work hard,” the 6-3 205-pounder explained. “I’m not someone that’s extremely loud, I like to just keep my head down, work hard and quietly lead. I want to show how to win a championship.
“I think I can bring them a player who consistently works hard trying to reach the next level and have people follow me.”
After all, playing college baseball is what he has wanted to do for some time.
“I’ve wanted to do it since I was a kid,” McKay said. “I was always someone that wanted to play at the next level. When I got up to 15U and went to a Prep Baseball event I saw I was someone that can get to the highest level. I want to play as long as I can.”
Undecided on a college major, the 3.7 student in high school is excited about what lies ahead at the university in Buffalo, five hours from home.
“This is a dream come true,” McKay concluded. “I’ve never been so sure of something in my life, financially, academically, athletically. All the ups and downs I went through paid off. I spent hours working toward this and it shows if I give 100 percent I can get what I want.
“Now I’m ready to experience being around people every day that have the same interests and goals as me.”
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