Zack Kelly

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Zack Kelly

|team = Boston Red Sox

|number = 76

|position = Pitcher

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|3|3}}

|birth_place = Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 29

|debutyear = 2022

|debutteam = Boston Red Sox

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = June 9, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 8–6

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.41

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 94

|teams =

Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2022}}–present)

}}

Zachery Reed Kelly (born March 3, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Career

=Amateur career=

Kelly graduated from Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, Virginia.{{cite web|url=https://roanoke.com/lifestyles/dylan-powers-will-cline-and-zack-kelly-of-lord-botetourt-receive-vhsca-all-state-honors/article_584670bb-3a07-5766-854a-ad7315a5c325.html|title=Dylan Powers, Will Cline, and Zack Kelly of Lord Botetourt receive VHSCA All-State honors in baseball|first=Suzanne|last=Miller|website=Roanoke Times |url-access=limited |date=June 13, 2012}} He enrolled at Concord University, where he played college baseball in NCAA Division II for the Concord Mountain Lions as a starting pitcher in 2014. After his sophomore year, Kelly transferred to Newberry College, to play for the Newberry Wolves, their Division II baseball team. As a senior in 2017, Kelly had a 3.72 earned run average (ERA) and recorded 94 strikeouts in {{frac|82|1|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web|url=https://roanoke.com/sports/high-school/zack-kelly-rises-from-lord-botetourt-to-the-boston-red-sox/article_0b4c8ad8-27a7-11ed-97f7-673d292c33f8.html|title=Zack Kelly rises from Lord Botetourt to the Boston Red Sox|work=The Roanoke Times|first=Mark |last=Berman |date=August 29, 2022|accessdate=August 29, 2022}}

=Oakland Athletics=

Unselected in the 2017 MLB draft, Kelly signed with the Oakland Athletics as an undrafted free agent for a $500 signing bonus. He pitched in the rookie-level Arizona League during 2017. The Athletics released Kelly in April 2018. Kelly later said, "My first year I probably paid to play to be honest with you. I definitely lost money."

=Los Angeles Angels=

Kelly signed with the Los Angeles Angels organization and played for three teams in the Angels' system, reaching the Class A-Advanced level with the Inland Empire 66ers of the California League; in 18 total relief appearances during the season, he posted a 2.93 ERA and struck out 41 batters in 43 innings pitched.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=kelly-001zac |title=Zack Kelly Minor Leagues Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=August 29, 2022}} Kelly began the 2019 season with the Mobile BayBears of the Double-A Southern League,{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2019/04/david-newhan-comes-full-circle-as-manager-for-mobile-baybears-final-season.html?outputType=amp |title=David Newhan comes full circle as manager for Mobile BayBears' final season |first=Creg |last=Stephenson |website=AL.com |date=April 2, 2019 |accessdate=August 29, 2022}} and also played one game with Inland Empire, accruing an overall 3–7 record in 21 games (13 starts) with a 4.88 ERA. The Angels released Kelly during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. Shortly thereafter, Kelly underwent surgery on his elbow to have a ligament reattached.

=Boston Red Sox=

On January 4, 2021, Kelly signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox organization. He spent the year playing for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.{{cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2022/03/meet-zack-kelly-boston-red-sox-pitcher-with-mid-90s-fastball-went-undrafted-was-released-twice-initially-signed-for-500.html |title=Meet Zack Kelly: Boston Red Sox pitcher with mid-90s fastball went undrafted, was released twice, initially signed for $500 |first= Christopher |last=Smith |website=masslive.com |date=March 2, 2022 |accessdate=August 29, 2022}} He had a 1.69 ERA in 21 relief appearances for Portland before he was promoted to Worcester, where he had a 2.89 ERA in 15 relief appearances. In 2022, the Red Sox invited Kelly to spring training as a non-roster player and he returned to Worcester for the beginning of the season.{{cite web |url=https://fincastleherald.com/kelly-having-strong-season-for-red-sox-in-worcester/ |title=Kelly having strong season for Red Sox in Worcester |website=Fincastleherald.com |date=June 28, 2022 |accessdate=August 29, 2022}} He accrued a 2.72 ERA for Worcester through August 29,{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/hirokazu-sawamura-austin-davis-designated-for-assignment|title=Red Sox shake up 'pen, DFA Sawamura, Davis|website=MLB.com |first=Ian |last=Browne |date=August 29, 2022 |accessdate=August 29, 2022}} when he was added to Boston's major-league roster.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/08/red-sox-designate-hirokazu-sawamura-for-assignment.html |title=Red Sox Designate Hirokazu Sawamura, Austin Davis; Select Zack Kelly |first=Darragh |last=McDonald |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=August 29, 2022 |accessdate=August 29, 2022}} Kelly made his MLB debut that evening, against the Minnesota Twins.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/29/sports/red-sox-cant-turn-runners-into-runs-defeat-twins-playoff-hopes-continue-dwindle/ |title=Red Sox can't turn runners into runs in defeat to the Twins as playoff hopes continue to dwindle |first=Peter |last=Abraham |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=August 29, 2022 |accessdate=August 29, 2022}} He was on the paternity list for three days in early September.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2022/09 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=September 2022 |accessdate=September 5, 2022}} In 13 relief appearances with Boston, Kelly pitched to a 1–0 record with 3.95 ERA while striking out 11 batters in {{frac|13|2|3}} innings.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kellyza01.shtml |title=Zack Kelly Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=November 11, 2022}} Kelly was the 2022 recipient of the Lou Gorman Award issued by the Red Sox organization.{{cite news |url=http://news.soxprospects.com/2022/09/minor-notes-red-sox-announce-their.html |title=Minor Notes: Red Sox announce their Players of the Year & Portland's playoff run ends |first=Will |last=Woodward |website=soxprospects.com |date=September 27, 2022 |accessdate=October 7, 2022}}

Kelly began the 2023 season in Boston's bullpen.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-red-sox-set-2023-opening-day-roster |title=Red Sox set 2023 Opening Day roster |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=March 30, 2023 |accessdate=April 14, 2023}} He was placed on the injured list on April 13 due to right elbow inflammation.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-red-sox-place-rhp-zack-kelly-on-15-day-il-club-recalls-rhp-kutter- |title=Red Sox place right-handed pitcher Zack Kelly on 15-day injured list |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=April 13, 2023 |accessdate=April 14, 2023}} Three days later, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2023/04/red-sox-claim-lefty-reliever-from-mariners-place-zack-kelly-on-60-day-il.html |title=Red Sox claim lefty reliever from Mariners, place Zack Kelly on 60-day IL |first=Christopher |last=Smith |website=masslive.com |date=April 16, 2023 |accessdate=April 16, 2023}} On May 3, it was announced that Kelly would miss roughly four months after undergoing a successful ulnar nerve transposition revision in his right elbow.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Undergoes nerve procedure|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-zack-kelly-undergoes-nerve-procedure/amp/|access-date=May 5, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was activated from the injured list on September 24,{{Cite web|title=Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Activated from IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-zack-kelly-activated-from-il/|access-date=September 24, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 24, 2023 |language=en}} and successfully pitched for the Red Sox after going 166 days between major-league appearances.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/30/sports/sunday-baseball-notes/ |title=Sunday Baseball Notes |first=Peter |last=Abraham |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=September 30, 2023 |accessdate=October 1, 2023}}

Kelly was optioned to Triple–A Worcester to begin the 2024 season.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox make roster move, appear one cut away from finalizing bullpen|url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/03/red-sox-make-roster-move-appear-one-cut-away-from-finalizing-bullpen.html?outputType=amp|access-date=March 22, 2024|website=masslive.com|language=en}} On April 24, he was recalled from Worcester to replace injured pitcher Brayan Bello on the active roster.{{Cite web |last=Bird |first=Hayden |title=Red Sox place Brayan Bello on 15-day injured list |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2024/04/24/brayan-bello-injury-update-injured-list/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=www.boston.com |language=en-US}} Kelly was optioned to Triple-A again on May 26 to make room for pitcher Brad Keller, who had just signed a one-year contract with Boston.{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2024 |title=Right-hander Brad Keller agrees to 1-year contract with Red Sox |url=https://apnews.com/article/keller-red-sox-faf1995dd96757d933cb7a64148e879c |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}} Kelly was once again promoted to the major-league roster on June 5.{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2024 |title=Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Getting promoted |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-zack-kelly-getting-promoted/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} He made his first MLB start on June 9 against the Chicago White Sox, pitching two scoreless innings as an opener.{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2024 |title=Red Sox rally for extra-innings win over White Sox |url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/red-sox-white-sox-mlb-recap-june-9-2024/61050834 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=WCVB |language=en}}

Personal life

Kelly is married and resides in South Carolina in the offseason.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/29/sports/zack-kelly-expectant-father-onetime-d2-pitcher-got-big-surprise-when-red-sox-called-him-up-sunday/ |title=Zack Kelly, expectant father and onetime D2 pitcher, got a big surprise when the Red Sox called him up Sunday |first=Peter |last=Abraham |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=August 29, 2022 |accessdate=August 29, 2022}} He and his wife, Brittany, had their first child in September 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2022/09/red-sox-roster-moves-zack-kelly-returns-from-paternity-leave-josh-winckowski-sent-down-to-woosox.html|title=Red Sox roster moves: Zack Kelly returns from paternity leave, Josh Winckowski sent down to WooSox|work=masslive.com|first=Chris |last=Cotillo|date=September 5, 2022|accessdate=September 11, 2022}}