The Chicago White Sox have officially signed left-handed pitcher Anthony Kay to a two-year contract worth $12 million. This news comes from Robert Murray at Fansided. Kay, a former first-round draft pick and notable prospect, has spent the last two seasons playing for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.
Anthony Kay’s Performance in Japan
In his tenure at Yokohama, Kay has delivered impressive performances. He has pitched for a total of 291 and two-thirds innings, recording a commendable 2.53 ERA. His achievements include:
- 20.9% strikeout rate
- 7.9% walk rate
- 54.5% ground-ball rate
- 48 starts in the BayStars’ rotation
White Sox’s Strategy
The White Sox, under general manager Chris Getz, have a history of signing former first-round picks. This strategy proved successful when they brought in Erick Fedde on a two-year, $15 million contract. Fedde was later traded, resulting in the acquisition of infielder Miguel Vargas and additional prospects.
Vargas has contributed as a league-average hitter for the White Sox and is under contract for four more seasons. The organization hopes for similar fruitful outcomes from Kay’s signing.
Outlook for Kay and the White Sox
As Anthony Kay prepares to join the White Sox, he’ll be looking to replicate his success in Japan. The team is optimistic that Kay will bolster their pitching lineup and contribute significantly in the upcoming seasons.
At 30 years old, Kay is set to turn 31 in March. His experience in one of Asia’s premier baseball leagues positions him well for the challenges ahead in Major League Baseball.
