McKirahan graduated from Georgetown High School in 2009,[1] and played college baseball at the University of Texas at Austin.

[7] McKirahan made his major league debut on April 12, 2015, giving up a sacrifice fly in 1+2⁄3 innings against the New York Mets.

[11] McKirahan was invited to spring training in 2016 and made one five-pitch appearance before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow.

[13] On February 12, 2017, McKirahan was traded along with minor league pitcher Carlos Portuondo to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for second baseman Brandon Phillips.

On March 26, 2018, McKirahan signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.