Casey Kelly
From BR Bullpen
Casey Patrick Kelly
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 194 lb.
- High School Sarasota High School
- Born October 4, 1989 in Sarasota, FL USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Casey Kelly was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the 2008 amateur draft with the 30th overall selection. He is the son of former big league catcher Pat Kelly and nephew of Mike Kelly. The Sox and scout Anthony Turco convinced him to forego a football scholarship to the University of Tennessee in order to sign to play baseball. He started his career as a shortstop but was moved to the mound in 2009, going 7-5, 2.08 in 17 starts his first year after hitting .215 in 36 games in his first season as a professional. In 2010, he moved to the Portland Sea Dogs of the AA Eastern League and was only 3-5, 5.31 in 21 starts. However, at 20, he was one of the youngest players in the circuit, and his stuff was considered well above average. After the season, he was one of the three players acquired by the San Diego Padres in return for All-Star 1B Adrian Gonzalez, alongside 1B Anthony Rizzo and OF Reymond Fuentes.
Kelly spent 2011 with the AA San Antonio Missions of the Texas League and had a very solid year. In 27 starts, he went 11-6 with a 3.98 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 142 1/3 innings. He went to spring training with the Padres in 2012; however, he was still described as being in the process of learning how to pitch, and needed to continue working on a number of things before aspiring to a spot on the big league roster. However, after making two starts with the AAA Tucson Padres early in the season, he complained of elbow soreness and headed back to San Diego to have the elbow examined. He received some good news when the Padres' team physician found inflammation but no structural damage, and only prescribed some rest.
