Kay to represent Mets at Futures Game

June 28th, 2019

NEW YORK -- Anthony Kay’s standout season may yet earn him a callup to the Majors. For now, he’ll settle for a SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game invitation. Kay, the Mets’ third-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, will be their lone representative at the Futures Game on July 7 at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

The 31st overall pick by the Mets in 2016, Kay made a successful return from Tommy John surgery last summer, before breaking out early this season with a 1.49 ERA, 70 strikeouts and 23 walks in 12 starts at Double-A Binghamton. That earned Kay a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse, where he is still striking out more than a batter per inning despite an 11.00 ERA in three starts.

“It’s probably the best I’ve felt since having the surgery,” Kay said this spring. “Everyone always says it takes two full years to feel fully back to yourself, and I’m starting to feel a lot like how I felt before.”

MLB Network will exclusively televise (and MLB.com will live stream) the Futures Game at 7 p.m. ET on July 7. Greg Amsinger, Harold Reynolds and Jim Callis will call the action, with Heidi Watney providing reporting from both dugouts. The game also will be available to SiriusXM subscribers.

The event, which has been a launching pad in the past for Mets stars, including , and , could also be a showcase for Kay. While the Mets’ fall from contention has dampened their potential need to use Kay as a reliever down the stretch, they could look to give him a start or two in September, knowing he’ll likely compete for a job in their 2020 rotation. The Mets are at risk of losing two members of their current starting five, and , to free agency this offseason.