Ex- UConn lefty Kay tops local prospects list
When he was selected at the end of the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Anthony Kay’s ascension to the big leagues seemed as inevitable as that of another Met left- hander, who happened to attend the same high school as Kay — Steven Matz.
Alas, elbow issues caused Kay to undergo Tommy John surgery in October, 2016, and he missed the entire 2017 season. But Kay, the former UConn ace, returned to the mound this season and has looked good. He went 4- 4 with a 4.48 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 691⁄ innings at
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Class- A St. Lucie and earned a mid- season promotion to High- A Columbia, where he’s posted a 4.04 ERA.
Those numbers may not jump off the page at you, but the first year back from Tommy John is usually an adjustment period for any pitcher. Kay still elicits hushed tones when others in the organization — including Double- A Binghamton pitching coach Frank Viola, the former Cy Young winner — talk about him.
He’s still on the right track to the Mets’ rotation. He also takes over the top spot on the Register’s annual list of Top 20 prospects with Connecticut ties.
Another former UConn lefty, Manchester native Tim Cate, debuts at No. 2 while last year’s No. 1, Aaron Civale, drops a couple of spots after an injury- riddled campaign. There are still at least 10 players on this list who have a legitimate shot at making the big leagues someday.
1. Anthony Kay, UConn, LHP ( Mets, Class A- Advanced): 2016 first- round draft pick missed all of last season after Tommy John surgery, but rebounded to go 7- 10, 4.34 ERA between Columbia and St. Lucie this year. Rated as the Mets’ No. 7 overall prospect, per mlb. com.
2. Tim Cate, Manchester/ UConn, LHP ( Nationals, Class A): Second- round pick in June pitched well in New York Penn League and got promotion to Hagerstown. Has gone 2- 6, 5.28 ERA overall. Considered the Nats’ No. 10 overall prospect by mlb. com.
3. Aaron Civale, East Windsor, RHP ( Indians, Double- A): Third- round pick in 2016 missed more than a month with shoulder ailment but has gone 5- 7, 3.89 ERA in Akron. Rated by mlb. com as Cleveland’s No. 16 overall prospect, he’s back on the DL now.
4. Michael Burrows, Waterford, RHP ( Pirates, Rookie): Surprised everyone by eschewing UConn for pros and has tossed 14 innings of shutout ball in his first four outings ( three starts).
5. Zack Short, Sacred Heart, SS ( Cubs, DoubleA): Leads all Southern League shortstops in homers ( 17) and doubles ( 27) while making his way up Cubs’ prospect rankings.
6. Wills Montgomerie, Lakeville/ UConn, RHP ( Dodgers, Class A- Advanced): Last year’s sixthround pick earned lateseason promotion to High- A and has gone 2- 3, 3.26 ERA overall.
7. P. J. Poulin, UConn, RHP ( Rockies, Class A shortseason): An 11th- round draft pick in June, has notched seven saves and posted 2.08 ERA at Boise.
8. Patrick Ruotolo, UConn, RHP ( Giants, Double- A): Notched 10 saves and posted a 2.03 ERA in Richmond before hitting the disabled list amonth ago.
9. Thomas Milone, Monroe, OF ( Rays, DoubleA): The 2013 third- round pick is still on the right path and has come alive lately, hitting .367 in his last 10 games to raise his average to .256 with four homers, 28 RBI overall at Montgomery.
10. J. T. Hintzen, Greenwich, RHP ( Brewers, Class A): A 10th- round draft pick in June, he’s gone 3- 1 with a 3.28 ERA between a pair of stops.
11. Ryan Costello, Central Connecticut State, 1B ( Twins, Class A- Advanced): Midwest League all- star was traded to Twins in deal that sent Zach Duke to Seattle. Has hit 20 homers and 79 RBIs overall this season.
12. Nolan Long, Waterford, RHP ( Dodgers, Double- A): The 6- foot- 10 reliever has posted 3.10 ERA and struck out 91 batters in 692⁄ innings between a pair
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13. Jason Foley, Sacred Heart, RHP ( Tigers, Class A- Advanced): Despite missing entire season after undergoing Tommy John in July, 2017, remained a Top- 30 prospect in Detroit organization.
14. Joe Zanghi, Milford, RHP ( Mets, Double- A): Strong season at St. Lucie earned brief promotion to Triple- A, now at Double- A, where he’s impressed pitching coach Frank Viola. Overall, has post 3.49 ERA in three stops.
15. Matt Cleveland, Windsor, RHP ( Mets, Rookie): Finally healthy, has gone 1- 4 with a 4.97 ERA with Kingsport this season.
16. P. J. Higgins, Wallingford, C ( Cubs, Double- A): After hitting .289 at High- A Myrtle Beach, earned Double- A promotion in July. Has hit .263 overall this season.
17. John Russell, UConn, RHP ( Giants, Class AAdvanced): Posted 2.54 ERA, seven saves out of Class- A Augusta’s bullpen while striking out 70 batters in 601⁄ frames. Earned pro
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18. Zac Susi, Southington/ UConn, C ( Pirates, Rookie): A12th- round pick in June, has hit .234 between a pair of stops this summer.
19. Thomas Jankins, Quinnipiac, RHP ( Brewers, Triple- A): After going 10- 9 with a 4.42 ERA in 23 appearances ( 21 starts) for Double- A Biloxi, earned promotion to Colorado Springs on Thursday.
20. Willy Yahn, Sharon/ UConn, 3B ( Orioles, Class A short- season): Earned a spot in New York Penn League all- star game and has hit .272 this season for Aberdeen.