White Sox Hope Anthony Kay's Overseas Success Translates to Major League Performance
Anthony Kay knew his time overseas in Japan was limited and he wanted to return to the States as soon as possible. The right-handed pitcher signed with the White Sox on a two-year, $12 million contract with a mutual option for 2028, driven by ambitions to reinvent himself and regain confidence.
In his first year abroad, Kay struggled to replicate his desired performance, giving up too many free walks and succumbing to control issues. However, after making adjustments in his second season and adding a sinker, which significantly improved his ERA from 3.28 to 1.74, he found his footing. Kay attributes his success overseas to regaining confidence as a pitcher and developing consistency.
During his time in Japan, Kay honed his skills and learned to find the zone more effectively, reducing walks and improving his control issues. He believes this newfound expertise will serve him well in the majors, where he hopes to build on his previous experiences.
Kay was drawn to the White Sox because of their reputation for successfully transitioning players who have competed overseas back into the major leagues. The team's willingness to adapt pitchers like Erick Fedde and Garrett Crochet has given Kay confidence that he too can make a successful transition.
As part of this strategy, General Manager Chris Getz has emphasized 40-man roster flexibility, allowing for greater decision-making when it comes to protecting players on the roster. This approach enables the team to assess player probability of sticking in the majors and making informed decisions about who to prioritize.
The White Sox have no plans to move their starting pitching prospects, including Tanner McDougal, Noah Schultz, and Hagen Smith, from the rotation to the bullpen. Instead, they aim to stretch them out as starters before reassessing their roles mid-season. Getz believes that these young arms hold promise and want them to be competing for a starting spot in spring training.
Anthony Kay knew his time overseas in Japan was limited and he wanted to return to the States as soon as possible. The right-handed pitcher signed with the White Sox on a two-year, $12 million contract with a mutual option for 2028, driven by ambitions to reinvent himself and regain confidence.
In his first year abroad, Kay struggled to replicate his desired performance, giving up too many free walks and succumbing to control issues. However, after making adjustments in his second season and adding a sinker, which significantly improved his ERA from 3.28 to 1.74, he found his footing. Kay attributes his success overseas to regaining confidence as a pitcher and developing consistency.
During his time in Japan, Kay honed his skills and learned to find the zone more effectively, reducing walks and improving his control issues. He believes this newfound expertise will serve him well in the majors, where he hopes to build on his previous experiences.
Kay was drawn to the White Sox because of their reputation for successfully transitioning players who have competed overseas back into the major leagues. The team's willingness to adapt pitchers like Erick Fedde and Garrett Crochet has given Kay confidence that he too can make a successful transition.
As part of this strategy, General Manager Chris Getz has emphasized 40-man roster flexibility, allowing for greater decision-making when it comes to protecting players on the roster. This approach enables the team to assess player probability of sticking in the majors and making informed decisions about who to prioritize.
The White Sox have no plans to move their starting pitching prospects, including Tanner McDougal, Noah Schultz, and Hagen Smith, from the rotation to the bullpen. Instead, they aim to stretch them out as starters before reassessing their roles mid-season. Getz believes that these young arms hold promise and want them to be competing for a starting spot in spring training.
... I wonder if we'd be more human if we allowed ourselves to struggle a bit in that process? Maybe, just maybe, it's okay to stumble so we can learn from those mistakes & come out stronger on the other side 
. He made some major adjustments and now his ERA is crazy low 
. I mean, 1.74? That's insane! 
The White Sox are all about giving their guys a shot to succeed in the majors and it looks like they're doing just that 
. They're not afraid to experiment with their young pitchers and see what works out 
. It'll be interesting to see how Tanner McDougal, Noah Schultz, and Hagen Smith do this season 
. Maybe we'll get to see them in the rotation alongside Anthony Kay 
. They're giving Anthony Kay another shot after he showed some serious improvement overseas, and I'm all about it! 
The fact that they're being flexible with their 40-man roster makes me think they're not afraid to take a risk on a guy who's got the skills. And let's be real, it's not like they're putting all their eggs in one basket... they've still got those young arms in the rotation who are gonna give them some serious depth. 
I'm curious to see how Kay adapts and if he can really live up to that contract 
! I'm all about seeing players adapt their skills and finding what works best for them, whether it's overseas or at home 
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. And with the flexibility on the 40-man roster, they can assess their potential and make smart decisions 
he was struggling overseas, but then made those adjustments & found his groove again. we can learn from that, 'cause life is full of ups & downs, & it's how we respond that matters 
. One thing that makes me happy is the team's flexibility on their 40-man roster - it's always good to have options when it comes to protecting players 
. And stretching out those young arms in the rotation before mid-season could be a smart move... we'll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out 
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. He spent like two years over there struggling, then comes back with some new trick up his sleeve (sinkers and all that) and somehow becomes a legit ace in Japan... but now we're expected to believe it's gonna translate to the MLB? 
I mean, he had some decent seasons overseas, but let's not forget he was struggling too. And the White Sox are just gonna leave their starters alone like they're untouchable? Please, Getz is trying to make a point about adaptability, but at the end of the day, it's all just spin 
. I'm predicting a mid-season roster shakeup and Kay getting benched by April 
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I love how the White Sox are giving him a chance, they're all about rehabbing players who've had success overseas... fingers crossed he can make it work for them this season 
. He made some significant adjustments after his second season, but I need to see more than just a 1.74 ERA for me to believe it's more than just a fluke 
. Kay's story reminds us that we all need to be kind to ourselves, learn from our mistakes, and keep working towards our goals 
. And let's not forget, a little bit of flexibility in life (like the White Sox's roster strategy) can make all the difference in helping us adapt and thrive 
) to regain confidence. The way he adapted his game and added that sinker was genius! I'm loving the White Sox's approach to giving their overseas players a chance to shine back in the majors. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we trust you, now go out there and make us proud!"