Background & Early Career
Anthony Kay — a left-handed pitcher, 6′0″ and 225 lb — was originally selected by New York Mets in the 29th round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of high school. When he opted for college instead, the Mets re-drafted him with their compensatory first-round pick (31st overall) in the 2016 draft from the UConn Huskies.
He made his MLB debut on September 7, 2019; over the span of 2019–2023, Kay made 44 appearances (7 starts) across stints with the Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs.
In the majors, his cumulative stat line was: 85.1 innings pitched, 88 strikeouts, 5.59 ERA, 1.605 WHIP.
By many accounts, his early MLB tenure was underwhelming. As of 2023, he posted a 6.14 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 14.2 innings in his final major-league appearances.
Revival in Japan & Recent Success
After his MLB struggles, Kay signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in early 2024.
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2024 Season (NPB): Kay posted a 3.42 ERA over 136⅔ innings — a respectable performance as he re-established himself in a starting role.
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2025 Season (NPB): He delivered a breakout campaign: 155 innings, 1.74 ERA (setting a BayStars single-season franchise record), 2.55 FIP, 130 strikeouts vs. 41 walks, and a 57.8% ground-ball rate — the best in NPB that season.
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Fastball velocity reportedly averaged 94.6 MPH.
This resurgence — combining sharp command, strong ground-ball tendencies, and effective pitch mix — has thrust Kay back into MLB’s radar and renewed interest among clubs seeking affordable but potentially high-reward pitching depth.
MLB Return 2026 & Contract Outlook
As of late 2025, multiple outlets — including a summary from the editorial staff of CBS Sports and coverage on MLB Trade Rumors — report that Kay plans to return to MLB in 2026.
He is expected to seek a major-league contract this offseason, thanks to his dominant two-year run in NPB.
Because of his improved performance overseas — low ERA, high groundball rate, and refined repertoire — Kay could represent a low-cost, potentially high-reward signing for a club in need of rotation or bullpen depth.
While today Kay remains a free agent, speculation suggests several “bargain-bin” teams — often those with tight payrolls — might view him as an affordable rotation or bullpen piece in 2026.
What Analytics / Fangraphs-Style Metrics Suggest
According to advanced analysis (as summarized in recent “Mining the News” coverage by FanGraphs / fantasy writers):
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His improved ground-ball rate and reduced walk & homerun rates in NPB contrast sharply with his previous MLB profile, where a 7.6 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 limited upside.
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These changes hint at his transformation into a more ground-ball-heavy, control-oriented pitcher — a profile that may succeed even without high strikeout totals, particularly with a defense-friendly staff and favorable ballparks.
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That said, because NPB is generally a more pitcher-friendly environment, some caution is warranted: the run-scoring context differs from MLB, and repeating those results in the majors remains a question.
In short: analytics-based projections for 2026 see Kay as a low-cost upside arm — not a star, perhaps, but a useful depth/potential rotation candidate if he maintains control and ground-ball tendencies.
What This Means for the Mets (and MLB) in 2026
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For Mets fans, Kay’s resurgence offers a second chance at a former first-round pick — not just as a throwaway reliever, but possibly as a rotation or long-relief option.
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For other clubs, Kay may emerge as a value signing: affordable, experienced internationally, and with a transformed pitching style that might yield wins for a modest cost.
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For fantasy baseball and MLB analysts, Kay’s story underscores how players can rediscover value outside the majors and return with improved skills — making 2026 a year to watch for under-the-radar starters.
