MLB scouts were a constant presence during Kyle McCoy’s senior season at Hunterdon Central Regional High School — until a late-season elbow injury derailed his draft hopes.

The lingering injury cut his freshman year at Maryland short and sidelined him for all of his sophomore season, leaving questions about his return to the field in 2025.

But McCoy responded with his best season as a Terp. He led Maryland in strikeouts and finished with a 6-3 record as a starter. That campaign earned him a spot in MLB.

Three years after the injury that ended his high school draft dreams, McCoy was drafted by Cincinnati Reds in the eighth round of the MLB Draft with the 234th overall pick in the draft. He is the first draft pick under coach Matt Swope and the 13th Terp drafted in the last five years. 

McCoy finished his Maryland career with a 4.33 ERA, 10-9 record and 110 strikeouts across 29 appearances over two seasons.

“It’s still surreal. Doesn’t really feel real, hasn’t sunk in yet,” McCoy told The Diamondback Tuesday. “I’m just super excited, just super ready to get going and get my feet wet and then kind of let everything play out for the Reds.”

[Kyle McCoy’s lengthy recovery transformed him. He’s ready to be Maryland baseball’s ace.]

McCoy suffered a UCL injury in May of his senior year of high school. The partial tear didn’t require surgery, but the injury still turned off major league clubs ahead of the draft.

The left-hander became a regular starter for Maryland just weeks into his freshman year, but late in the season, the elbow discomfort returned. An MRI revealed the tear had worsened and would require surgery. He tried to pitch through the pain, but lasted less than an inning in a Big Ten Tournament start against Michigan State. 

McCoy finished his freshman year with 15 appearances — including 12 starts — posting a 5.91 ERA over 53 ⅓ innings. He received Tommy John surgery following the season. 

McCoy’s year-long recovery didn’t just rebuild his elbow — it reshaped his entire approach. The time away from the mound forced him to slow down, reset his habits and mature both physically and mentally.

He overhauled his diet, added 20 pounds of muscle and refined his pregame preparation.  He also embraced a leadership role off the field, becoming a vocal presence in Maryland’s clubhouse. 

“I didn’t even feel like it was a setback. I almost felt like it was an opportunity for me to grow,” McCoy said. “I felt like that was a good experience for me to mature and develop, and I was able to take full advantage of that time off.”

McCoy cemented himself as Maryland’s ace in his junior year — starting 14 games with a 3.32 ERA and 71 strikeouts. He earned Third Team All-Big Ten honors for his efforts.

The Reds currently have two left-handed pitchers in their MLB.com top 30 prospects list, with lefty Adam Serwinowski ranked No. 12. The Reds selected four pitchers ahead of McCoy in the draft, all right-handers.

“[The Reds are] getting a serious competitor and a guy who is going to leave it all out there for them and give them everything he has,” McCoy said. “All I’ve ever wanted was an opportunity to showcase my ability. And fortunately, the Reds’ front office gave me an opportunity here to do that.”