| Zack Kelly | |
|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox – No. 76 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1995-03-03)March 3, 1995 (age 30) Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 29, 2022, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 7–3 |
| Earned run average | 3.95 |
| Strikeouts | 78 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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Zachery Reed Kelly (born March 3, 1995) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theBoston Red Sox ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022.
Kelly graduated fromLord Botetourt High School inDaleville, Virginia.[1] He enrolled atConcord University, where he playedcollege baseball inNCAA Division II for theConcord Mountain Lions as astarting pitcher in 2014. After his sophomore year, Kelly transferred toNewberry College, to play for theNewberry Wolves, their Division II baseball team. As a senior in 2017, Kelly had a 3.72earned run average (ERA) and recorded 94strikeouts in82+1⁄3innings pitched.[2][3]
Unselected in the2017 MLB draft, Kelly signed with theOakland Athletics as an undraftedfree agent for a $500signing bonus.[3] He pitched in the rookie-levelArizona League during 2017.[4] The Athletics released Kelly in April 2018.[2] Kelly later said, "My first year I probably paid to play to be honest with you. I definitely lost money."[3]
Kelly signed with theLos Angeles Angels organization and played for three teams in the Angels' system, reaching theClass A-Advanced level with theInland Empire 66ers of theCalifornia League; in 18 total relief appearances during the season, he posted a 2.93 ERA and struck out 41 batters in 43 innings pitched.[4] Kelly began the 2019 season with theMobile BayBears of theDouble-ASouthern League,[5] and also played one game with Inland Empire, accruing an overall 3–7 record in 21 games (13 starts) with a 4.88 ERA.[4] The Angels released Kelly during theCOVID-19 shutdown in 2020.[3] Shortly thereafter, Kelly underwent surgery on his elbow to have a ligament reattached.[6]
On January 4, 2021, Kelly signed a minor league contract with theBoston Red Sox organization. He spent the year playing for the Double-APortland Sea Dogs and theTriple-AWorcester Red Sox.[3] 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 tospring training as a non-roster player and he returned to Worcester for the beginning of the season.[7] He accrued a 2.72 ERA for Worcester through August 29,[8] when he was added to Boston's major-league roster.[9] Kelly made his MLB debut that evening, against theMinnesota Twins.[10] He was on the paternity list for three days in early September.[11] In 13 relief appearances with Boston, Kelly pitched to a 1–0 record with 3.95 ERA while striking out 11 batters in13+2⁄3 innings.[12] Kelly was the 2022 recipient of theLou Gorman Award issued by the Red Sox organization.[13]
Kelly began the 2023 season in Boston's bullpen.[14] He was placed on theinjured list on April 13 due to right elbow inflammation.[15] Three days later, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.[16] On May 3, it was announced that Kelly would miss roughly four months after undergoing a successfululnar nerve transposition revision in his right elbow.[17] He was activated from the injured list on September 24,[18] and successfully pitched for the Red Sox after going 166 days between major-league appearances.[19]
Kelly was optioned to Triple–A Worcester to begin the 2024 season.[20] On April 24, he was recalled from Worcester to replace injured pitcherBrayan Bello on the active roster.[21] Kelly was optioned to Triple-A again on May 26 to make room for pitcherBrad Keller, who had just signed a one-year contract with Boston.[22] Kelly was once again promoted to the major-league roster on June 5.[23] He made his first MLB start on June 9 against theChicago White Sox, pitching two scoreless innings as an opener.[24]
Kelly is married and resides in South Carolina in the offseason.[6] He and his wife, Brittany, had their first child in September 2022.[25]
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Lou Gorman Award 2022 | Succeeded by |