Anthony Kay is leaning on soft stuff to provide a firm presence in White Sox rotation
<p>After posting a Yokohama franchise-record 1.55 ERA last season, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox" >White Sox</a> starter <b>Anthony Kay</b> had comparable offers to stay in Japan, but the 31-year-old signed a two-year, $12 million pact with the White Sox to prove himself as a big league starter.</p><p>In compiling a 6.12 ERA through April, Kay got a demonstration of what major leaguers can do, even against 96 mph from the left side.</p><p>“In Japan, you can kind of overpower guys there because they don't see velocity as much,” Kay told the Sun-Times. “I had to change my repertoire a little bit over here, rely on the soft stuff a little bit more because guys can handle velo.”</p><p>Specifically, Kay needed to show he could locate soft stuff in the strike zone, not just as chase pitches.
Reported by 1 outlet — Chicago Sun-Times. See all sources ↓
<p>After posting a Yokohama franchise-record 1.55 ERA last season, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox" >White Sox</a> starter <b>Anthony Kay</b> had comparable offers to stay in Japan, but the 31-year-old signed a two-year, $12 million pact with the White Sox to prove himself as a big league starter.</p><p>In compiling a 6.12 ERA through April, Kay got a demonstration of what major leaguers can do, even against 96 mph from the left side.</p><p>“In Japan, you can kind of overpower guys there because they don't see velocity as much,” Kay told the Sun-Times. “I had to change my repertoire a little bit over here, rely on the soft stuff a little bit more because guys can handle velo.”</p><p>Specifically, Kay needed to show he could locate soft stuff in the strike zone, not just as chase pitches. Like many pitchers after Tommy John surgery, the action on Kay’s changeup is different from when it was his best pitch in college. He credits changing where the catcher sets up for helping him visualize where he wanted his changeup and sweeper to land; low and away from right-handed hitters.</p><p>“[Hitters] have to respect that,” said pitching coach <b>Zach Bove</b>.
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- <p>After posting a Yokohama franchise-record 1.55 ERA last season, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox" >White Sox</a> starter <b>Anthony Kay</b> had comparable offers to stay in Japan, but the 31-year-old signed a two-year, $12 million pact with the White Sox to prove himself as a big league starter.</p><p>In compiling a 6.12 ERA through April, Kay got a demonstration of what major leaguers can do, even against 96 mph from the left side.</p><p>“In Japan, you can kind of overpower guys there because they don't see velocity as much,” Kay told the Sun-Times. “I had to change my repertoire a little bit over here, rely on the soft stuff a little bit more because guys can handle velo.”</p><p>Specifically, Kay needed to show he could locate soft stuff in the strike zone, not just as chase pitches.
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Anthony Kay is leaning on soft stuff to provide a firm presence in White Sox rotation
Sources1TypeCoverageChicago Sun-Times