Ryan Kelly (baseball)

Ryan Kelly
Pitcher
Born: (1987-10-30) October 30, 1987 (age 37)
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: June 30, 2015, for the Atlanta Braves
CPBL: April 21, 2016, for the Uni-President Lions
Last appearance
MLB: September 25, 2015, for the Atlanta Braves
CPBL: May 29, 2016, for the Uni-President Lions
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average7.02
Strikeouts10
CPBL statistics
Win–loss record2–2
Earned run average4.19
Strikeouts20
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2015 Toronto Team

William Ryan Kelly (born October 30, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves in 2015, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President Lions in 2016.

Career

Early career

Kelly attended Hilton Head High School in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Kelly in the 26th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft.[1]

Texas Rangers

On December 23, 2010, Kelly was traded to the Oakland Athletics for in exchange for Corey Wimberly.[2] On January 11, 2011, the Athletics traded him to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Guillermo Moscoso.[3] Kelly spent the year with the High–A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, making 40 appearances and posting a 3.95 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 82.0 innings of work.[4]

San Diego Padres

On December 21, 2011, the Rangers traded Kelly to the San Diego Padres for Luis Martinez.[5] For the next two seasons, Kelly pitched in relief with the Texas League Champion Double–A San Antonio Missions and Triple–A Tucson Padres.

Atlanta Braves

Kelly signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves in November 2013.[6] He was promoted to the major leagues on June 28, 2015.[1][7] He made his major league debut on June 30 against the Washington Nationals, pitching one inning, in which he gave up one run on two hits, while recording a strikeout and a walk.[8] He was released on March 5, 2016.[9]

Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions

After his release from the Braves, Kelly signed with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[citation needed] In 15 appearances for the Lions, he compiled a 2–2 record and 4.19 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 3 saves over 19+1⁄3 innings pitched. Kelly was released by the team on June 15, 2016.[10]

Vaqueros Laguna

On July 15, 2016, Kelly signed with the Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League. In 14 games for Laguna, he recorded a 4.38 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 12+1⁄3 innings pitched. Kelly was released by the Vaqueros on August 11.[11]

Somerset Patriots

On April 6, 2017, Kelly signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[12] In 10 outings for Somerset, Kelly compiled a 2.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 3 saves over 9 innings of work.

Seattle Mariners

On May 17, 2017, Kelly signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. He pitched in relief for the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers & Double–A Arkansas Travelers, finishing the season with 2.97 ERA, 32 strikeouts in 30+1⁄3 innings, and an .86 WHIP with 6 saves.[13] He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[14]

Kelly continued putting up good numbers in 2017 when he signed on for the off-season first half with Cardenales de Lara in Liga Venezuela Beisbol Professional. He finished the half 1-1, 1.71 ERA, 21 IP, .76 WHIP and 9 saves. Kelly again pitched for Cardenales de Lara in 2018 winter season and on November 20, 2018, converted his 19th consecutive save, a club record.[15]

Somerset Patriots (second stint)

On March 28, 2018, Kelly signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[16] On July 14, Kelly earned his 100th professional career save with three strikeouts in the ninth inning to preserve the 3–1 Patriots victory. In 46 appearances out of the bullpen for Somerset, he accumulated a 3.16 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 23 saves across 42+2⁄3 innings pitched. Kelly became a free agent following the 2018 season.

Mexican League

On April 3, 2019, Kelly signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. He was traded to the Pericos de Puebla on May 14. On May 15, Kelly signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League. He was released on June 13.

High Point Rockers

On June 22, 2019, Kelly signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He finished the regular season with 13 saves with 24 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. In this, their inaugural season, the Rockers made the 2019 ALPB playoffs via wild card. Kelly became a free agent following the season.[citation needed]

On November 22, 2019, Kelly signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. Kelly did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] He later became a free agent.

References

  1. ^ a b "Braves promote pitcher Ryan Kelly from Gwinnett". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. June 28, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  2. ^ "Pirates acquire Corey Wimberly from Oakland in exchange for Minor Leaguer Ryan Kelly". MLB.com. December 23, 2010. Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  3. ^ McDowell, San (January 11, 2011). "Latest trade makes Kelly optimistic: Former HHH baseball standout now member of Rangers organization". The Island Packet. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  4. ^ "Rangers Trade RHP Kelly for Padres Catcher Luis Martinez". nbcdfw.com. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "Padres acquire RHP Ryan Kelly from Texas Rangers in exchange for C Luis Martinez". MLB.com (Press release). December 21, 2011. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  6. ^ Eddy, Matt (December 3, 2013). "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 22–28". Baseball America. Archived from the original on June 30, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  7. ^ McGonigal, John (June 28, 2015). "Braves call up RP Kelly for first taste of bigs". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  8. ^ "Hilton Head's Kelly makes major league debut for Braves". The Island Packet. June 30, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  9. ^ Bowman, Mark (March 5, 2016). "Braves release comeback candidate Carpenter". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  10. ^ "Lions signed Dustin Crenshaw, Ryan Kelly released". cpblstats.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "Ryan Kelly Player Card". baseballprospectus.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  12. ^ "Patriots Ink Major League Right-Handed Pitcher Ryan Kelly". ism3.infinityprosports.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "404 Not Found". {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  14. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  15. ^ "Cardenales de Lara on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  16. ^ "Somerset Patriots Re-Sign MLB RHP Ryan Kelly". ism3.infinityprosports.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "Mexican League Cancels 2020 Season".