UConn’s Anthony Kay Selected By Mets In MLB Draft

In the June first-year player draft, also known as the Rule 4 draft, UConn has only had three players selected in the first round. Charles Nagy was the 17th overall pick in 1988 by the Cleveland Indians, George Springer was 11th overall in 2011 by the Houston Astros and Matt Barnes was the 19th player selected in the 2011 draft, picked by the Boston Red Sox. Now, Anthony Kay has made that list four names long.

The left-handed pitcher from Stony Brook, New York was selected with the 31st overall pick by the New York Mets. He attended Ward Melville High School, the same high school as current Mets starter Steven Matz and was drafted in the 29th round by the Mets out of high school.

In 52 games, 39 of which were starts, Kay has pitched 286.0 innings, going 22-12 for the Huskies. His career ERA is 2.64. He has 263 career strikeouts to 102 walks. Batters have only hit .224 against him and he has a WHIP of 1.17.

Kay is tied for fourth all-time in wins and his BAA of .224 is tied for third. Kay is also sixth in UConn history with 39 starts. He holds third place in career innings pitched, with 286.0. His 8.27 career strikeouts per nine innings puts him 15th in UConn history.

Anthony Kay holds the all-time UConn records for both pickoffs (16) and strikeouts (263).

In his sophomore season, Kay's .202 BAA was good for 15th all-time. In 2016, his 17 starts tied the single-season record, also held by Greg Nappo (2011), Matt Barnes (2011) and Anthony Marzi (2013). His 119.0 innings in 2016 was good for second all-time and his 111 strikeouts was good for fourth. He holds the top two spots in single-season pickoffs, picking off eight as a freshman in 2014 and five as a sophomore in 2015. His three in 2016 is tied for sixth all-time.

Kay is a junior and if he does not sign with the Mets before the July 24 deadline, he could return to UConn for one more season as a collegiate pitcher.