Toronto Blue Jays: 5 pitching prospects to watch out for

3) Anthony Kay

Throws: Left

How acquired: Trade with New York Mets in July 2019

Best pitches: Fastball & changeup

When Anthony Kay was acquired as part of the trade which sent Marcus Stroman to the Mets, the Blue Jays were getting an intriguing player. At the time, scouting reports advised Toronto were getting one of the top three pitching prospects in New York’s farm system.

Certainly, the 25-year-old was thought highly of, hence why the Mets selected him with the 31st pick of the first round in 2016. Unfortunately for the pitcher he suffered an early setback, as he underwent Tommy John Surgery and had to miss all of the 2017 season.

Kay made a successful return in 2018, but it was the following year when he really started to gain the attention of people. He managed a 7-3 record and sensational 1.49 ERA in 12 starts at the Double-A level for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.

As a result, the Stony Brook, New York native was promoted to the Syracuse Mets in Triple-A and selected for the 2019 All-Star Futures Game. Then came the trade to the Blue Jays.

After the move to Toronto, Kay continued his fine form at the Triple-A level with the Buffalo Bisons. He recorded a fine 2.50 ERA and excellent 9.75 strike-outs per nine innings in seven starts.

As a result, Kay received his first call-up to the Majors in September of last year, making his first start against the Tampa Bay Rays. He showed enough promise for the future, allowing just two earned runs and four hits in 5.2 innings against the Rays, while also recording eight strike-outs.

Projection: Second or third starter