The Cubs introduced Friday that left-hander Anthony Kay has been designated for task so as to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini, whose beforehand reported two-year, $14MM deal is now official. The 27-year-old Kay’s keep within the group might show fairly temporary, as he was solely claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays again on Dec. 23.
Kay, whom the Mets initially drafted with the No. 31 general choose again in 2016, made his means from New York to Toronto by means of the Marcus Stroman commerce and has spent elements of 4 seasons within the Majors with the Jays. He’s struggled in every, compiling a 5.48 ERA with a strong 23.6% strikeout fee however a bloated 11.6% stroll fee in that point. Residence runs have been a little bit of a difficulty, as he’s yielded 1.27 lengthy balls per 9 frames, however he’s additionally been suffering from a bloated .340 common on balls in play that factors to not less than some extent of poor fortune. That seems very true, provided that Kay has yielded simply an 87.5 mph common exit velocity and a 34.8% hard-hit fee in his profession — each comfortably higher than the league-average marks over the previous few years.
Curiously, it’s been fellow lefties who’ve tormented Kay so far in his large league profession. Similar-handed opponents have crushed Kay to the tune of a .319/.398/638 batting line in 108 profession plate appearances, whereas righties have hit him at a .251/.352/.390 clip. That line from right-handers continues to be regarding, significantly the OBP facet, but when Kay have been capable of shut down lefties like so many different southpaws, he might but develop right into a serviceable bullpen possibility.
Kay has averaged higher than 94 mph on his fastball over the previous two seasons and has persistently generated above-average spin on the pitch — however opponents have nonetheless batted .301/.409/.526 in opposition to it in his profession. He’s gotten much better outcomes together with his curveball (.186/.239/.326), which was maybe a part of his attraction to the Cubs within the first place.
Kay has one minor league possibility 12 months remaining and was as soon as a reasonably well-regarded pitching prospect, so it’s potential one other group will look to convey him into the fold through the waiver wire. The Cubs may have per week to commerce him or go him by means of outright waivers. If he goes unclaimed, he’ll stay with the group and certain head to spring coaching as a non-roster invitee.
