NFT: Mets Minors 4/23/2018- Kay continues to deal

Had another 3 BB for Columbia. 18/11 BB/K to start the year. Not bad for a 28th Round pick after Junior year at Nova Southeastern in his first taste of full season ball

That was the first time I saw him, in spring training, and I was really impressed with what I saw,” said Columbia pitching coach Jonathan Hurst, a former Mets reliever. “And not knowing what he had been through right away, when I found out I was like, ‘Wow, this kid doesn’t even look he’s had anything done.’ He was just out there competing and stuff-wise, it was just plus stuff I was seeing from him.”

The plus stuff has been a recent development for Kay post-surgery. Kay sat 90-93 mph and touched 95 pre-surgery, but in his last start sat 92-96 mph, holding 94-95 in the early innings and finishing at 92-93. His curveball feel is coming back seemingly every inning, and by the end of his second outing he was spinning it for called third strikes on both sides of the plate against righthanded hitters.

He hasn’t even really started using his changeup, which was considered his best pitch out of college as potential plus, swing-and-miss offering.

“Once spring training rolled around I started to feel really good, thinking I was better than I was before,” Kay said. “A lot of people say they get a little bit of velo from (surgery) so I wasn’t too surprised, but it feels good.”
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I think this team is really suffering at the catcher position
I think somehow Sandy needs to do something and something quick
JT Realmutto should and I think is on the radar
A package of Smith. Cecchini. Szalpucki could do it
What are your thoughts

He’s cost controlled for three more years. Something the Wilpons should love
Plus he fills that defensive need behind the plate and absolutely can hit

draft Joey Bart at #6 overall. Catcher prospect with bigtime power upside and solid defensively. Likely wouldn't help us in 2018, but could be MLB ready as soon as 2019.

In comment 13925739 Earl the goat said:

Quote:

I think this team is really suffering at the catcher position I think somehow Sandy needs to do something and something quick JT Realmutto should and I think is on the radar A package of Smith. Cecchini. Szalpucki could do it What are your thoughts He’s cost controlled for three more years. Something the Wilpons should love Plus he fills that defensive need behind the plate and absolutely can hit

Szapucki has very limited trade value right now and I have to believe Alonso would have to replace Smith. Cecchini is a non-prospect right now. Any package would likely include Gimenez + at least one of Alonso/Peterson/Kay.

will cost more than Ozuna. Not sure if he should or not, just seems that way.

I'd prefer the Mets deal from strength and send 4 or 5 or 30 relief pitchers to the Marlins for Realmuto and not Gimenez, but seems like acquiring Realmuto should happen if they can match up.

King Ali is hitting .400 and still can’t get any praise?? Call him up!!

very encoraging start to the season