Left-hander Anthony Kay, a critical component in this summer’s Marcus Stroman trade, is expected to join the Blue Jays big club shortly, per a report from Shi Davidi of Sportsnet (link). Righty T.J. Zeuch is expected to join Kay as a new addition to the Blue Jays 40-man roster.
Kay, 24, was a first-round pick of the Mets in 2016 out of the University of Connecticut. After rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Kay finally made his pro debut in 2018 and, true to his pre-draft profile as a potentially quick-moving collegiate lefty, has risen from Single-A to the bigs in less than two turns of the calendar. The lefty cruised through 66.1 Double-A innings in the New York organization (1.49 ERA and 2.72 FIP) before a rougher showing in 31.1 Triple-A innings (6.61 ERA and 6.21 FIP). Kay has, however, performed much better with Toronto’s Triple-A outfit since the Stroman trade, with a 2.50 ERA and 9.75 K/9 rate that are admittedly undercut by his walk numbers (5.50 BB/9) and fielding-independent estimators (4.54 FIP). The lefty is said to feature a fastball-curveball-changeup mix.
Zeuch, for his part, is also a former first-rounder, although he can claim that Toronto is the only professional organization he has ever known. Selected 21st overall by the Jays in 2016, the right-handed 24-year-old owns a 3.52 ERA through 342.2 minor league innings. At 6’7, Zeuch is said to employ a steep downward plane that aids in his deployment of a heavily used sinker. He doesn’t miss many bats, with just a 4.50 K/9 rate in 78.0 Triple-A innings this year, but he certainly hasn’t had any difficulty in inducing groundballs in his career, as evidenced in part by his GB% of 57.1% in 2019.
Would imagine they are going to have to clear a couple spaces for these 2…
Richard to the 60 could be one
Hes healthy…
he’s on the IL in pretty sure.
If these was ever a team where two disposable players were available, the Blue Jays are it. If the Blue Jays could only improve substantially in three areas, they would clearly be contenders. Those are; hitting, fielding and pitching. What a bunch of maroons.
It’s strange to me that you took the time to make this comment.
that’s called rebuilding
as far as hitting goes- they’ll be fine. In fact, they will likely tie the Yankee record ford number of players with 10+ homers in a season at 15. There is an outside change, if McKinney gets a couple more, that they break it.
Their core four- Vladdy, Gurriel, Bichette and Biggio are doing very well.
Stewart, Boshers, Godley moving Richards to the 60 day. There are some moves that could be made , the catcher Taylor although they probably want 3 for September
dont forget Law… please, dont forget Law!
Kay doesn’t excite me a whole lot. Stuff screams backend of the rotation. More of a sum of all parts rather than a guy w any standout offering. But if he’s able to carve out a career as a #4 for the Jays that’ll be just fine. SWR looks great and I suspect Jays fans who hated the deal at the time might have a different view on things in a year or two. But I’ll be interested to see how Kay fares against MLers.
How the Hell do you know? You are basing these comments on stats and the opinions of others.
What are you saying? I really don’t know what you’re saying at all. My statement is nothing but an opinion about SWR and the popular opinion of Jays fans for the stroman trade return. There’s really nothing controversial in my statement at all. If you still hate the return, that’s fine. If you’re like me and think SWR is a player, that’s fine too. Cant imagine what would get a rise out of you from that comment.
the better part of us know we arent scouts, but that doesnt make it impossible to scout and project a player based in information available. Kay fits such a bill for better or worse, and im pretty sure that’s universally recognized.
“sum of all parts” is something ive heard said about Aaron Nola before, so i wouldnt be surpised if there is room for growth beyond a back to middle-rotation spot. however, it is harder for such a pitcher.
2020 auditions for starting pitchers begins for Toronto.
Started in Spring Training…
It did? Great. Pencil Stroman and Sanchez in the rotation since it started in Spring Training as you said.
Are you clueless or just portray one? Auditions start now.
you clearly miss the point of the comment.
No. I disagreed with it. And it was a garbage point.
Zeuch did throw a no-hitter in AAA a few weeks ago, for what it’s worth*.
* — very little
“It means very little”,,,,,,,except that you allowed no hits in a AAA game where u need to show progress in order to make it to the bigs,,,,,
Kay’s FIP has improved by nearly 2. Could be one of those situations where a new environment with new coaches does him the best for his career. Even if he ends up in the bullpen he’s bound to be used as much as possible before 2019 is done.
Kay told a NY paper (the Post, I think) that his recent improvement was the result of getting used to the lower seams on the “new” ball and getting more verticle movement on his curve.
How about a fresh start on the mental side…if I could suggest an easy motivational approach…it might be: “hey kid, you’re no longer blocked by Degrom, Thor, Wheeler, Stro. Now the world is yours for the taking and you got a core of batters around Vlad, Bo, LGjr that might look good in 2 years so no pressure until then…go get em!”
maybe, but this guy did say Kay actually said it was getting used to the ball. whats the point in pushing the change of scenery narrative if there is another reason?
These are some of the funniest comments I have ever read. You should all be hired as scouting directors of MLB teams soon.
Excited to see both. They really need at least two guys like this to be good contributors next year if they want a chance to compete.
Lol these are some of the snarkiest comments ever.
I love the Blue Jays. They have exactly zero pitching right now (and yes they need to get better at fielding too, in particular), so literally anything is an upgrade over Font opening every other day. I’m not overly excited about either of these guys, but I’m also not a scout, and will be very happy to see literally any encouraging pitching signs headed in to next season.
I’d rather they suck developing some young pitchers who have potential to stick *anywhere* in the rotation, than suck the way they currently do (aka, next to no potential in the rotation, bullpen days almost daily, and people who, generally, should not even be in the majors at all next year, let alone part of the Jays’ pitching staff).
Agreed.
Font seems like he might be a nice piece for the bullpen next year… but developmentally having him opening right now doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Get your young starters in the rotation to see what they’ve got. Let Font pick up his innings in a more traditional way.