The New York Mets selected UCONN left-handed pitcher Anthony Kay with their 31st pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. The 21-year old left-hander was UCONN’s top starting pitcher this season and went 9-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 119 innings this season for the Huskies. Kay has previous ties with the Mets as he was drafted by the Mets back in the 2013 MLB Draft in the 29th round. Kay also is a Long Island native who attended the same high school of current Mets lefty Steven Matz. MLB.com has Kay ranked as their 43rd draft-eligible prospect for this year’s draft. A scouting report provided by MLB.com regarding Kay is provided below:

“Kay fits the mold of the advanced pitchability college lefty, one with a track record of success, not only at UConn, but also in the Cape Cod League in 2014 and with Team USA in 2015. Kay succeeds by filling the strike zone and keeping hitters guessing, albeit with the lack of a true out pitch. He’ll top out at 94-95 mph with his fastball, though he pitches more effectively at around 91 mph. He has a consistently reliable changeup, though he telegraphs it at times by lowering his arm slot. His breaking ball is fringy.”

The Mets went with two straight college pitchers in the first round of the draft and it is clear that upper management is intent on rebuilding the pitching in their farm system. Kay was a great selection who many project to rise rapidly through the Mets system with his advanced feel for pitching. Kay was recently named the American Athletic Conference pitcher of the year, and the MVP of the AAC tournament. Kay also broke the UCONN career record for strikeouts with 263 this season. It was another solid pick for the Mets as you never can be faulted with going in the direction of pitching in the draft. Kay is not the tallest pitcher on the mound as he barely stands at six feet, but he has drawn comparisons to Mark Buehrle.

The Mets 31st pick was a compensation pick for Daniel Murphy signing with the Washington Nationals.