Michael Kelly Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Michael Joseph Kelly
Born 09/06/1992 in Boynton Beach, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School West Boca Raton Community
Debut 06/16/2022
Drafted in the C-A round (48th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2011 (signed for $718,000).

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Kelly powered West Boca to Florida's state 5-A title with his bat and his arm, throwing an 86-pitch six-hit shutout in the state semifinal in his final appearance. Scouts want him as a pitcher, and his frame is as ideal as any pitcher in the country. He's a fairly fluid athlete who is growing into his 6-foot-5, 210-pound body. Kelly entered the year with great expectations and didn't live up to them early, struggling mechanically to stay tall in his delivery and with inconsistent velocity. His body and stuff elicit comparisons to A.J. Cole, who entered 2010 as the top arm in Florida's prep ranks and wound up a fourth-rounder while still signing for $2 million. Kelly's fastball is a shade below Cole's, topping out at 94 and regularly sitting in the 89-92 mph range. He also throws a curveball and changeup that project to be average pitches but are fringe-average at present. His curve flashes the depth to be a plus pitch if he can firm up his delivery and get better extension out front. Kelly, like Cole, doesn't always attack hitters aggressively like scouts want him to, but he has gotten better as the season progressed.

Top Rankings

Kelly played both ways at West Boca Raton (Fla.) High, but scouts determined that his tall, broad frame and arm strength were more suited to pitching at the professional level. Viewed as a surefire first-round pick heading into his senior year, he fell short of expectations as he struggled to stay tall in his delivery. Kelly's fastball hit 94 mph at times but sat mostly at 89-92, which coupled with inconsistent secondary pitches dropped him into the supplemental round in June. Taken 48th overall by the Padres, he signed for a slightly below-slot $718,000 after not completely passing his physical. He had a minor shoulder issue that didn't require surgery and isn't a long-term concern. Kelly shows the makings of curveball with depth but hasn't worked much with a changeup. Area scouts believed both could become average offerings because of his athleticism. Kelly hadn't recovered his high-end velocity by instructional league, so he's probably destined to begin 2012 in extended spring training and make his pro debut at Eugene in June.

RHP Michael Kelly declared ineligible.
RHP Michael Kelly roster status changed by Oakland Athletics.
Cleveland Guardians recalled RHP Michael Kelly from Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Guardians recalled RHP Michael Kelly from Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Guardians optioned RHP Michael Kelly to Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Guardians optioned RHP Michael Kelly to Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Guardians selected the contract of RHP Michael Kelly from Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Guardians selected the contract of RHP Michael Kelly from Columbus Clippers.
RHP Michael Kelly roster status changed by Cleveland Guardians.
Cleveland Guardians signed free agent RHP Michael Kelly to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Michael Kelly assigned to Columbus Clippers.