Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50
Kay pitched his way into the first-round conversation as a University of Connecticut junior in 2016. The Mets took him at the end of that round, then signed him to a below-pick-value deal when an elbow injury was discovered which required Tommy John surgery. Making his long-awaited pro debut in 2018, Kay looked like a typical quick-to-the-big-leagues college lefty, showing an improved three-pitch mix while splitting the season between Class A Columbia and Class A Advanced St. Lucie. He continued to climb the ladder in 2019, turning in a strong performance at Double-A Binghamton before advancing to Triple-A Syracuse in mid-June, after he represented the Mets at the Futures Game in July. The Mets dealt sent him and Simeon Woods-Richardson to the Blue Jays in the Marcus Stroman trade.
In his return to the mound, Kay sat at 92-94 mph and occasionally reached the mid-90s with his high-spin-rate fastball. His changeup was his best secondary option at UConn but has taken a backseat in pro ball to a plus curveball in the low 80s that also has an elite spin rate and hard, downer action. His changeup is still an above-average pitch, one that plays nicely off his fastball with its late sinking action. He has feel for his craft, with solid control and command that should continue improve as he gains experience.
The hope for Kay in 2018 was to get through his first pro season healthy and amass about 100 innings. He checked those boxes and more, logging 122 2/3 frames and finishing on the cusp of Double-A. It's put him in good position to build upon that workload in 2019 and eventually settle in as a mid-rotation-type starter. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 258 44 2 4.5 85.6 6.8 .287 .418 .290 .335 .385 29.5 20.6 7.9 ALL 258 44 2 4.5 85.6 6.8 .287 .418 .290 .335 .385 29.5 20.6 7.9 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/07/2019 Toronto Blue Jays selected the contract of LHP Anthony Kay from Buffalo Bisons. 09/01/2019 Buffalo Bisons activated LHP Anthony Kay from the temporarily inactive list. 08/28/2019 Buffalo Bisons placed LHP Anthony Kay on the temporarily inactive list. 07/31/2019 Buffalo Bisons activated LHP Anthony Kay. 07/28/2019 Toronto Blue Jays traded RHP Marcus Stroman and cash to New York Mets for LHP Anthony Kay and RHP Simeon Woods Richardson. 07/28/2019 LHP Anthony Kay assigned to Buffalo Bisons. 07/08/2019 Syracuse Mets activated LHP Anthony Kay from the temporarily inactive list. 07/05/2019 Syracuse Mets placed LHP Anthony Kay on the temporarily inactive list. 06/14/2019 LHP Anthony Kay assigned to Syracuse Mets from Binghamton Rumble Ponies. 04/04/2019 LHP Anthony Kay assigned to Binghamton Rumble Ponies from Mets Extended Spring Training. 03/31/2019 LHP Anthony Kay assigned to Mets Extended Spring Training from St. Lucie Mets. 01/17/2019 New York Mets invited non-roster LHP Anthony Kay to spring training. 07/03/2018 LHP Anthony Kay assigned to St. Lucie Mets from Columbia Fireflies. 03/30/2018 LHP Anthony Kay assigned to Columbia Fireflies. 09/08/2016 Brooklyn Cyclones activated LHP Anthony Kay from the temporarily inactive list. 07/30/2016 LHP Anthony Kay assigned to Brooklyn Cyclones. 07/13/2016 New York Mets signed LHP Anthony Kay.
