Zack Kelly

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #28 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Kelly has taken the road less traveled. Signed by the Athletics out of Division II Newberry College for $500, released twice (by the A's in 2018 and the Angels during the pandemic in 2020), and having non-Tommy John elbow surgery before the Red Sox signed him as a minor league free agent in late 2020. Once with the Red Sox, Kelly cleaned up his mechanics to unlock more power on his fastball, making his changeup even more effective, and he excelled in the upper minors to earn a season-ending callup to Boston in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: Kelly, who posted a 36% strikeout rate in the minors in 2022, tunnels a mid-90s fastball (sitting 93-96 mph, topping out at 97) with a low-80s changeup that features both depth and fade to avoid barrels. He also has a cutter/slider that he employs as a third offering, chiefly against righties, to open the plate. Kelly possesses good command within the strike zone, resulting in generally weak contact, including against big league hitters who posted an average 85.5 mph exit velocity against him.
  
  The Future: Though he lacks wipeout stuff, Kelly's ability to throw strikes and limit hard contact suggests a ready-made middle-innings profile. He could be a frequent big league contributor in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 40. Changeup: 55. Control: 55.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Kelly has taken the road less traveled. Signed by the Athletics out of Division II Newberry College for $500, released twice (by the A's in 2018 and the Angels during the pandemic in 2020), and having non-Tommy John elbow surgery before the Red Sox signed him as a minor league free agent in late 2020. Once with the Red Sox, Kelly cleaned up his mechanics to unlock more power on his fastball, making his changeup even more effective, and he excelled in the upper minors to earn a season-ending callup to Boston in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: Kelly, who posted a 36% strikeout rate in the minors in 2022, tunnels a mid-90s fastball (sitting 93-96 mph, topping out at 97) with a low-80s changeup that features both depth and fade to avoid barrels. He also has a cutter/slider that he employs as a third offering, chiefly against righties, to open the plate. Kelly possesses good command within the strike zone, resulting in generally weak contact, including against big league hitters who posted an average 85.5 mph exit velocity against him.
  
  The Future: Though he lacks wipeout stuff, Kelly's ability to throw strikes and limit hard contact suggests a ready-made middle-innings profile. He could be a frequent big league contributor in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 40. Changeup: 55. Control: 55.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: Kelly has taken the road less traveled. Signed by the Athletics out of Division II Newberry College for $500, released twice (by the A's in 2018 and the Angels during the pandemic in 2020), and having non-Tommy John elbow surgery before the Red Sox signed him as a minor league free agent in late 2020. Once with the Red Sox, Kelly cleaned up his mechanics to unlock more power on his fastball, making his changeup even more effective, and he excelled in the upper minors to earn a season-ending callup to Boston in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: Kelly, who posted a 36% strikeout rate in the minors in 2022, tunnels a mid-90s fastball (sitting 93-96 mph, topping out at 97) with a low-80s changeup that features both depth and fade to avoid barrels. He also has a cutter/slider that he employs as a third offering, chiefly against righties, to open the plate. Kelly possesses good command within the strike zone, resulting in generally weak contact, including against big league hitters who posted an average 85.5 mph exit velocity against him.
  
  The Future: Though he lacks wipeout stuff, Kelly's ability to throw strikes and limit hard contact suggests a ready-made middle-innings profile. He could be a frequent big league contributor in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Slider: 40. Changeup: 55. Control: 55.