Photo by Ed Delany, MMN
Shortly after Anthony Kay was drafted, it was discovered he had a torn UCL, and he needed Tommy John surgery. Not only would it cost Kay the 2016 and 2017 seasons, but it would also lead to him receiving an underslot bonus. Last year, in his first season back from surgery he was not only returning from surgery, but he was making his professional debut.
During the course of the season, he would show glimpses of the type of pitcher the Mets believed they were getting when they drafted him with the 31st overall pick of the 2016 draft. Specifically, one of the parts of his game which would stand out was his spin rates. In fact, Baseball Savant would characterize the spin rate on Kay’s curveball as “elite.” Suddenly, his curve and not his good change was his best secondary offering.
With his pitching 122.2 innings and striking out a batter per inning, Kay headed into the offseason fully knowing what he needed to do to improve his game and to impress during Spring Training. He would do just that.
In his Grapefruit League debut, he would not only pitch a scoreless inning, but he would feature a terrific pickoff move, which would help him get out of the inning. After that inning of work, Mets manager Mickey Callaway came away impressed saying, “This guy’s got a sneaky fastball. He’s running it up there to 94 from the left side — that was pretty impressive.” (Newsday).
After that impressive Spring Training, he would be tabbed as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Opening Day starter. In 4.2 innings of work, he would throw 75 pitches (42 strikes). He would prove difficult to hit with him allowing three hits while striking out four. It should be noted he was lifted due to pitch count as he was pulled with no runners on base.
A solid Double-A debut for Binghamton starter Anthony Kay, who punched out four and did not allow an earned run last night in New Hampshire. Note the L-on-L K's: they hit much better against him a season ago. pic.twitter.com/QnKDMbS9f7
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) April 5, 2019
One interesting side note is when he was drafted Kay had been compared to former Major Leaguer Mark Buehrle. Now, those comparisons were mostly based on Kay’s stuff and his bulldog mentality on the mound. In terms of Buehrle, he wasn’t just known for those things, he was also known for fielding his position very well. If yesterday was any indication, the Buehrle comp applies to Kay’s ability to field his own position:
Anthony Kay is a wizard and you can’t convince me otherwise. pic.twitter.com/MixS7QgCuk
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) April 4, 2019
Overall, this was a solid debut for Kay. He struck out four. The only run against him was unearned. He fielded his position well. He put his team in a position to win. This is a solid building block for Kay, and it is a good harbinger for things to come for him and the Mets in 2019.
