Mets select Anthony Kay with 31st overall pick

With the 31st overall pick in the draft, the Mets have selected University of Connecticut LHP Anthony Kay. Where he was predicted to be drafted was less than cohesive; ESPN had Kay being taken as the 21st pick, but Baseball America projected that Kay be taken as the 31st overall draft pick by the Mets. Kay had been taken by the Mets in the 29th round of the 2013 draft, but did not sign in favor of playing at the University of Connecticut.

By taking Justin Dunn with their 19th overall selection, the Mets seem to be targeting pitching. After having one of the strongest farms when it came to pitching, the Mets' system is now somewhat depleted in the best way possible: thanks to promotions to the major leagues. It will be interesting to follow whether or not the Mets can continue to draft and develop such elite pitchers with Kay and Dunn as the newest recruits.

The 5’11" UConn junior has a strong fastball that can top at 95mph and a change up that, as most scouting reports note, he has a shocking command. In the 2016 season he garnered a 2.65 ERA, 100/ 35 K/BB 113 inning, averaging about 8 strikeouts per game. When looking at his stats from his freshmen year, a 3.49 ERA, 56/ 40 K/BB in  67 innings, it's clear that Kay's game has matured. Kay has grabbed the attention of the Mets, who look to reclaim their "one that got away" from 2013, Orioles, and Blue Jays.  Kay has also left his mark on his high school, Ward Melville on Long Island, setting 27 pitching records. Perhaps one of the more impressive of the bunch is the 49 innings he pitched without giving up an earned run.

Kay would work well in the middle of a pitching rotating, as he has shown his ability to adapt. After some major league conditioning, he has potential to be the Mets' next big swingman.

Anthony Kay Scouting video via MLB.comAnthony Kay Scouting Video