Antoine Kelly

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #13 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The arrows were pointing in the right direction in 2020 for Kelly, who was one of the most electric players at Milwaukee’s alternate training site. Then in November that year, Kelly had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. The rehab kept him out of action until July 13 and he pitched just 19.1 innings, showing promising stuff but struggling badly with his control.
  
  Scouting Report: When he was healthy in 2020, Kelly showed a plus fastball that sat at 93-97 mph and touched 98 mph, a plus slider and a changeup that flashed average. By the end of 2021, Kelly was still showing a power fastball and at times a quality slider, but he had little ability to corral it in the strike zone. Much of that wildness was expected coming back from his operation, and evaluators noted that the physical struggles seemed to add a mental hurdle for him as well.
  
  The Future: While Kelly’s command needed tightening before the surgery, he had previously shown the potential to develop into a mid-rotation or better starter. He’s much more of a wild card at this point, with more risk he ends up in the bullpen long term.
  
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #5 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Kelly led all junior college pitchers with 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings for Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC in 2019 and was drafted by the Brewers in the second round. He signed for $1,025,100 and continued to rack up whiffs with 45 strikeouts in 31.2 innings in his pro debut, which was concentrated in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Despite only one career start above the Rookie level, Kelly was the most electric pitcher at the team’s alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kelly has a big 6-foot-6 frame and continues gaining velocity each year. A low-90s pitcher in high school, Kelly sat 93-97 mph leading up to the draft and started touching 98 over 60-pitch outings in Appleton. Kelly previously relied almost wholly on his fastball, but his secondary stuff ticked up in 2020. His slider is a plus pitch that misses bats, and when his changeup is on it flashes at least average. Kelly throws strikes with all three pitches, though he needs to tighten his fastball command. He’s slow to the plate from the stretch and needs to do a better job holding runners.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kelly took a jump in 2020 and looked poised for a breakout 2021 campaign, with the attributes to develop into a mid-rotation or better starter. However, in November 2020 he had thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, with a return date still uncertain.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #7 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Brewers went for upside when they drafted Kelly 65th overall in 2019 and signed him for just over $1 million. Kelly led all junior college pitchers with 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings with his overpowering fastball at Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC, then struck out 41 batters in 28.2 innings in the Rookie-level Arizona League after signing.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kelly's fastball sat in the low 90s in high school, but after adding weight and strength and working on his mechanics, he now sits 93-97 mph and has the projectable frame to one day touch 100. With a 6-foot-6 frame and loose arm action, he hasn't had to do much more than pump fastballs past hitters to succeed. Whether Kelly starts or relieves will depend on the development of his secondary pitches. He gets chases on his above-average slider, particularly from lefthanded hitters, but he must show more consistent command of it. His changeup is not much of a factor. Considering his long, lanky frame, Kelly has shown relatively good command, but it is still fringe-average overall.
  
  THE FUTURE: Scouts already compare Kelly with Brewers closer Josh Hader, believing his future will be as a strikeout sensation out of the bullpen rather than in the rotation. He will open 2020 at a Class A level.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #242 prospect in 2019 draft
  Intrigued by his easy velocity, the Padres made a serious effort to sign Kelly as a 13th-round pick out of high school. He opted instead to head to Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC, which appears to be a wise move, as he's more highly regarded a year later. It wouldn't be a surprise if Kelly touched 100 mph at some point. Already, he sits at 93-95 and touches 97 from the left side with extremely easy arm action. He also optimistically has the makings of a future above-average slider. Athletic teenage lefties with this kind of stuff often hear their name called relatively quickly in the draft, especially when they strike out 19.1 batters per nine innings. Kelly does throw across his body and struggles at times to find the strike zone, but the fastball-slider combo is going to be hard for teams to ignore.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #7 prospect in 2019
  Drafted out of high school by the Padres in the 13th round in 2018, Kelly instead spent a year in junior college prior to the Brewers picking him in the second round in 2019. The lanky, athletic southpaw established himself as the best pitcher in the Arizona League after just a couple of starts. Possessing an elite, plus-plus fastball up to 97 mph with plenty of life, Kelly uses an effortless delivery with arm speed and plus extension. His delivery features a cross-fire look that adds deception. With a tall, projectable body, he figures to soon be able to get his fastball into triple-digits. Kelly worked mostly with his heater in his pro debut, but threw in a slider with good cut that flashed plus at times. He has enough feel for pitching to develop workable offspeed pitches, but his fastball with solid-average spin is going to be his money offering.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  August Update: Kelly continued to return to form as he became further removed from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he had at the end of 2020 and led to erratic control last year. Now he&#39s back to throwing 98 mph with a sharp slider, and while he still needs to corral his walks, he&#39s flashing exceptional pure stuff. He was swapped to the Rangers as part of the package for Matt Bush.
  
  Midseason Update: Kelly continues to steadily rise back up Milwaukee&#39s prospect rankings as he becomes further removed from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he had at the end of 2020 and led to erratic control last year. Now he&#39s back to throwing 98 mph with a sharp slider, and while he still needs to corral his walks, he&#39s flashing some of the best pure stuff in the system.
  
  Track Record: The arrows were pointing in the right direction in 2020 for Kelly, who was one of the most electric players at Milwaukee&#39s alternate training site. Then in November that year, Kelly had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. The rehab kept him out of action until July 13 and he pitched just 19.1 innings, showing promising stuff but struggling badly with his control.
  
  Scouting Report: When he was healthy in 2020, Kelly showed a plus fastball that sat at 93-97 mph and touched 98 mph, a plus slider and a changeup that flashed average. By the end of 2021, Kelly was still showing a power fastball and at times a quality slider, but he had little ability to corral it in the strike zone. Much of that wildness was expected coming back from his operation, and evaluators noted that the physical struggles seemed to add a mental hurdle for him as well.
  
  The Future: While Kelly&#39s command needed tightening before the surgery, he had previously shown the potential to develop into a mid-rotation or better starter. He&#39s much more of a wild card at this point, with more risk he ends up in the bullpen long term.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 45.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The arrows were pointing in the right direction in 2020 for Kelly, who was one of the most electric players at Milwaukee’s alternate training site. Then in November that year, Kelly had surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. The rehab kept him out of action until July 13 and he pitched just 19.1 innings, showing promising stuff but struggling badly with his control.
  
  Scouting Report: When he was healthy in 2020, Kelly showed a plus fastball that sat at 93-97 mph and touched 98 mph, a plus slider and a changeup that flashed average. By the end of 2021, Kelly was still showing a power fastball and at times a quality slider, but he had little ability to corral it in the strike zone. Much of that wildness was expected coming back from his operation, and evaluators noted that the physical struggles seemed to add a mental hurdle for him as well.
  
  The Future: While Kelly’s command needed tightening before the surgery, he had previously shown the potential to develop into a mid-rotation or better starter. He’s much more of a wild card at this point, with more risk he ends up in the bullpen long term.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Kelly led all junior college pitchers with 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings for Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC in 2019 and was drafted by the Brewers in the second round. He signed for $1,025,100 and continued to rack up whiffs with 45 strikeouts in 31.2 innings in his pro debut, which was concentrated in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Despite only one career start above the Rookie level, Kelly was the most electric pitcher at the team's alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kelly has a big 6-foot-6 frame and continues gaining velocity each year. A low-90s pitcher in high school, Kelly sat 93-97 mph leading up to the draft and started touching 98 over 60-pitch outings in Appleton. Kelly previously relied almost wholly on his fastball, but his secondary stuff ticked up in 2020. His slider is a plus pitch that misses bats, and when his changeup is on it flashes at least average. Kelly throws strikes with all three pitches, though he needs to tighten his fastball command. He's slow to the plate from the stretch and needs to do a better job holding runners.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kelly took a jump in 2020 and has the attributes to develop into a mid-rotation or better starter. He looks poised for a breakout 2021 campaign.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Kelly led all junior college pitchers with 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings for Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC in 2019 and was drafted by the Brewers in the second round. He signed for $1,025,100 and continued to rack up whiffs with 45 strikeouts in 31.2 innings in his pro debut, which was concentrated in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Despite only one career start above the Rookie level, Kelly was the most electric pitcher at the team’s alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kelly has a big 6-foot-6 frame and continues gaining velocity each year. A low-90s pitcher in high school, Kelly sat 93-97 mph leading up to the draft and started touching 98 over 60-pitch outings in Appleton. Kelly previously relied almost wholly on his fastball, but his secondary stuff ticked up in 2020. His slider is a plus pitch that misses bats, and when his changeup is on it flashes at least average. Kelly throws strikes with all three pitches, though he needs to tighten his fastball command. He’s slow to the plate from the stretch and needs to do a better job holding runners.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kelly took a jump in 2020 and has the attributes to develop into a mid-rotation or better starter. He looks poised for a breakout 2021 campaign.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Kelly led all junior college pitchers with 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings for Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC in 2019 and was drafted by the Brewers in the second round. He signed for $1,025,100 and continued to rack up whiffs with 45 strikeouts in 31.2 innings in his pro debut, which was concentrated in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Despite only one career start above the Rookie level, Kelly was the most electric pitcher at the team’s alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kelly has a big 6-foot-6 frame and continues gaining velocity each year. A low-90s pitcher in high school, Kelly sat 93-97 mph leading up to the draft and started touching 98 over 60-pitch outings in Appleton. Kelly previously relied almost wholly on his fastball, but his secondary stuff ticked up in 2020. His slider is a plus pitch that misses bats, and when his changeup is on it flashes at least average. Kelly throws strikes with all three pitches, though he needs to tighten his fastball command. He’s slow to the plate from the stretch and needs to do a better job holding runners.
  
  THE FUTURE: Kelly took a jump in 2020 and looked poised for a breakout 2021 campaign, with the attributes to develop into a mid-rotation or better starter. However, in November 2020 he had thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, with a return date still uncertain.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Brewers went for upside when they drafted Kelly 65th overall in 2019 and signed him for just over $1 million. Kelly led all junior college pitchers with 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings with his overpowering fastball at Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC, then struck out 41 batters in 28.2 innings in the Rookie-level Arizona League after signing.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kelly’s fastball sat in the low 90s in high school, but after adding weight and strength and working on his mechanics, he now sits 93-97 mph and has the projectable frame to one day touch 100. With a 6-foot-6 frame and loose arm action, he hasn’t had to do much more than pump fastballs past hitters to succeed. Whether Kelly starts or relieves will depend on the development of his secondary pitches. He gets chases on his above-average slider, particularly from lefthanded hitters, but he must show more consistent command of it. His changeup is not much of a factor. Considering his long, lanky frame, Kelly has shown relatively good command, but it is still fringe-average overall.
  
  THE FUTURE: Scouts already compare Kelly with Brewers closer Josh Hader, believing his future will be as a strikeout sensation out of the bullpen rather than in the rotation. He will open 2020 at a Class A level.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Brewers went for upside when they drafted Kelly 65th overall in 2019 and signed him for just over $1 million. Kelly led all junior college pitchers with 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings with his overpowering fastball at Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC, then struck out 41 batters in 28.2 innings in the Rookie-level Arizona League after signing.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Kelly's fastball sat in the low 90s in high school, but after adding weight and strength and working on his mechanics, he now sits 93-97 mph and has the projectable frame to one day touch 100. With a 6-foot-6 frame and loose arm action, he hasn't had to do much more than pump fastballs past hitters to succeed. Whether Kelly starts or relieves will depend on the development of his secondary pitches. He gets chases on his above-average slider, particularly from lefthanded hitters, but he must show more consistent command of it. His changeup is not much of a factor. Considering his long, lanky frame, Kelly has shown relatively good command, but it is still fringe-average overall.
  
  THE FUTURE: Scouts already compare Kelly with Brewers closer Josh Hader, believing his future will be as a strikeout sensation out of the bullpen rather than in the rotation. He will open 2020 at a Class A level.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Intrigued by his easy velocity, the Padres made a serious effort to sign Kelly as a 13th-round pick out of high school. He opted instead to head to Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC, which appears to be a wise move, as he's more highly regarded a year later. It wouldn't be a surprise if Kelly touched 100 mph at some point. Already, he sits at 93-95 and touches 97 from the left side with extremely easy arm action. He also optimistically has the makings of a future above-average slider. Athletic teenage lefties with this kind of stuff often hear their name called relatively quickly in the draft, especially when they strike out 19.1 batters per nine innings. Kelly does throw across his body and struggles at times to find the strike zone, but the fastball-slider combo is going to be hard for teams to ignore.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Drafted out of high school by the Padres in the 13th round in 2018, Kelly instead spent a year in junior college prior to the Brewers picking him in the second round in 2019. The lanky, athletic southpaw established himself as the best pitcher in the Arizona League after just a couple of starts. Possessing an elite, plus-plus fastball up to 97 mph with plenty of life, Kelly uses an effortless delivery with arm speed and plus extension. His delivery features a cross-fire look that adds deception. With a tall, projectable body, he figures to soon be able to get his fastball into triple-digits. Kelly worked mostly with his heater in his pro debut, but threw in a slider with good cut that flashed plus at times. He has enough feel for pitching to develop workable offspeed pitches, but his fastball with solid-average spin is going to be his money offering.