Good news from the New York Mets Instructional League is that left-hander Anthony Kay has now pitched twice this week as he makes his return from Tommy John Surgery.
Kay, 22, was drafted 31st overall by the Mets in the 2016 draft from the University of Connecticut. The Mets also drafted him in the 29th round of the 2013 from Ward Melville High School
Kay received a signing bonus of $1.1 million which was significantly under the slot value of $1.97 million. It’s believed he signed for less with known arm issues, then subsequently had Tommy John Surgery three months after signing.
The Long Island native is now pitching in the Mets Instructional League after missing the entire 2017 season. Kay threw one inning on Monday and threw another today in Port St. Lucie.
In his final year with UCONN, Kay went 9-2 and helped lead the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament. Posting a 2.65 ERA in 17 starts, Kay’s 263 strikeouts set a new UConn strikeout record that was previously held by Matt Barnes, now with the Red Sox.
Before TJS, Kay featured a fastball that sat mostly in the low 90’s and topped out at 95 MPH. His best pitch is a changeup that gets great tumbling movement on it and Keith Law said it might be the best changeup in the entire draft class. He also throws a curveball that has flashed above average at times but needs refinement.
Kay has above average command and a smooth delivery, two reasons why many believe he could be fly through the system very quickly once he starts playing.
Mets Minors News and Notes
Luis Guillorme made his Arizona Fall League debut last night and went 2 for 4 while playing second base. Left-hander Kyle Regnault struck out four in two scoreless innings. Here is last night’s recap of all the action.
The Mets have begun their annual purge of the minor leagues with 20 players released today. The biggest name among the group is right-handed pitcher Scarlyn Reyes.
Winter Leagues have begun with Venezuelan and Mexican leagues in action and the Dominican league starting tonight. Not a ton of Mets representation yet with left-handed reliever Kevin Canelon being the most significant name so far. Veteran major leaguers normally wait until the second half of the season to participate.
