10. Anthony Kay
Minors (AA, AAA): 133.2 innings, 10-8 record, 2.96 ERA, 1.249 WHiP, 56 walks, 135 strikeouts
Majors: 14 innings, 1-0 record, 5.79 ERA, 1.429 WHiP, five walks, 13 strikeouts
The headliner in the deal that sent Marcus Stroman to the New York Mets, Anthony Kay is expected to be a key part of the Toronto Blue Jays rotation for years to come.
A first round selection of the Mets in 2016, Kay rose rapidly through the minors to make his major league debut in September last season. That ascension is all the more impressive when one considers that he missed the entire 2017 campaign due to Tommy Joh surgery, and did not make his professional debut until 2018.
Kay has a solid three pitch arsenal. His fastball sits in the lower end of the mid 90s, and he can add a couple of ticks when need be. A high spin curve, which sits in the lower 80s, may be Kay’s best pitch, displaying excellent downward break. He also throws a solid change, which he pairs nicely with his fastball to deceive opposing hitters.
While Kay has a nice feel for his arsenal, solid command and control, and an understanding of pitching, he just is not quite the pitcher he is considered to be. His arsenal is roughly average, with the exception of his curve. That explains his struggles in AAA, where he posted a combined 1.574 WHiP and a 4.41 ERA. That ERA would be higher, except he allowed an amazing 11 unearned runs in his 36 innings in Buffalo.
Anthony Kay can be a solid piece of the Toronto Blue Jays future. He simply appears to be more of a back of the rotation arm than the potential second starter he has been considered.