Anthony Kay, once a promising first-round draft pick for the New York Mets, is on the verge of making a return to Major League Baseball. After two years pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, he’s finally getting a second look.
Kay’s early MLB career didn’t go as planned. He found renewed form overseas, putting together dominant performances that have sparked fresh interest from MLB teams.
Now 30 years old and hailing from Long Island, Kay wants to bring that success from Japan back to America’s biggest baseball stadiums. It’s a shot at redemption he’s clearly hungry for.
From First-Round Promise to Overseas Reinvention
Kay’s baseball journey started with big dreams and a few tough breaks. The Mets drafted him out of high school in 2013, but he chose to play at UConn instead of going pro right away.
The Mets didn’t lose interest. They picked him again with the 31st overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, still betting on his upside.
Injuries slowed him down. Kay had to get Tommy John surgery after his first pro season, which delayed his climb through the minors.
By 2018, he was pitching again and showing flashes of his old self. That’s when the Mets traded him to Toronto in the deal for Marcus Stroman.
Struggles in the Big Leagues
Kay’s MLB numbers before heading to Japan were rough. Over 44 big-league appearances with the Mets, Blue Jays, and Cubs, he posted a 5.59 ERA in 85⅓ innings.
His last MLB stint came in September 2023, when the Mets scooped him up off waivers from the Cubs. He showed glimpses of talent, but control issues and inconsistency kept holding him back.
Dominance in Japan’s Professional Ranks
Heading to Japan changed everything for Kay. In Nippon Professional Baseball, he became one of the league’s most reliable arms, racking up a 1.74 ERA across 155 innings.
He averaged a fastball at 94.6 mph and led the league with a ground ball rate of 57.8 percent. That’s not just a stat—it’s a sign he rebuilt his mechanics and approach from the ground up.
Pitching against tough Japanese hitters helped him sharpen his skills in ways MLB hadn’t yet allowed. It was a total reset for his confidence and style.
Key Elements of Kay’s Japanese Success
- Velocity Boost – He sat at 94-95 mph with his fastball, a noticeable jump.
- Elite Groundball Rate – Nearly 58% of balls in play stayed on the ground, tops in the league.
- Improved Command – Walks dropped, and his pitch placement looked sharper every start.
- Durability – He logged 155 innings, more than he’d ever thrown as a pro.
What Kay’s Return Could Mean for MLB Teams
Kay’s knack for generating ground balls and keeping his velocity up makes him an interesting target for MLB teams. Squads looking for rotation depth or a lefty out of the bullpen could use a guy like him.
His improvements in Japan are measurable, and they might fit right in with today’s big-league focus on weak contact and efficient innings. The Mets could still have their eye on him, given their history and pitching needs.
Honestly, though, Kay’s new resume puts him on the radar for several teams. He’s suddenly a free agent worth a closer look.
The Road Ahead
Success in Japan doesn’t always guarantee a smooth MLB comeback, but plenty of pitchers have made it work. Kay’s hoping he can join that group.
His story? It’s about persistence—a guy who battled injuries, struggled in the majors, then rebuilt himself on the other side of the world. Now, he’s got another shot, and it’s hard not to root for him just a little.
A Second Chance at the Show
For Kay, this comeback means more than just reviving his career. It’s a shot to show himself—and the baseball world—that he truly belongs in the majors.
He’s got sharper mechanics now. His mental game feels tougher, and the results on the mound actually back it up.
He’s stepping into this new MLB chapter with a real sense of purpose. If his run in Japan tells us anything, Anthony Kay could turn into one of the season’s most interesting comeback stories.
These days, player development doesn’t always follow a straight line. Kay’s path makes you wonder—maybe a stint overseas is exactly what some players need.
Whether he sticks with the Mets or lands with another team, fans should probably keep an eye on this lefty. He’s looking to bring that spark from Japan back to the big leagues, and honestly, who doesn’t love a good redemption arc?
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Here is the source article for this story: Mets’ first-round bust attempting MLB comeback after stint in Japan
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