Mets Go Back To Long Island Well
NEW YORK—The Mets had success drafting Steven Matz from Long Island. They returned to their backyard for their two first-round selections in 2016, including back to Matz’s alma mater for the latter pick.
The Mets selected Boston College righthander Justin Dunn, a Freeport native, with the 19th overall pick. They then selected UConn lefthander Anthony Kay, a Stony Brook native like Matz, with the 31st overall pick.
“I didn’t feel like flying this year, so I just scouted guys I could drive to from my house in Rhode Island,” scouting director Tommy Tanous joked. “Boston College was close. And UConn was on the way to Citi Field.”
On a serious note, Tanous added: “It was so bizarre the fact that both kids are local kids and it’s still how the draft played out. We had no intention of manipulating the draft or anything to get these players. We were thrilled to get them. It’s just kind of how the draft worked out. I would say because of our familiarity with them, we may have had them a little higher than some other teams.”
Dunn began his junior season working out of Boston College’s bullpen. Tanous said it opened the Mets’ eyes when he moved to a starting role.
Dunn’s fastball sits at 92-95 mph and tops out at 97 mph. He also throws a slider, curveball and changeup.
“We were on him from last year’s Cape (Cod) League,” Tanous said. “So he was certainly on our radar. When he transitioned to a starter in the middle of the year … it really kind of rang the bell of, this guy can be a starter, not just a reliever. And we value starters, especially drafting them high.”
As for Kay, the Mets had drafted him three years ago in the 29th round out of Melville High, but he went to UConn.
“He was an advanced high school pitcher to begin with,” Tanous said. “So it’s not like Anthony had a long way to go. What he did do was develop an already advanced changeup into a better changeup. He certainly has a feel for the pitch. He threw it with confidence. He threw it ahead in the count. He threw it behind in the count. And it was certainly a weapon for him.
“Probably his jump was in his velocity. We would consistently see Anthony at anywhere from 92 to 94 mph. Some of us had him up to 95 the other day. He had a spike in velocity. And, at the same time, a huge thing with Anthony, even though his velocity spiked, his command actually had gotten better since high school. He made improvements in all facets of his game.”
Matz watched Kay pitch when UConn played at the Mets’ complex during spring training in 2015.
“He has a really good changeup, from what I know,” Matz said.
METAMORPHOSES
• T.J. Rivera earned the Pacific Coast League Player of the Month award for May.
• The Mets have started to expose 2011 first-round pick Brandon Nimmo to corner outfield assignments with Las Vegas to increase his versatility.
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