In today’s Sunday Prospect Series we take a look at a youngster who was once described as an “elite defensive shortstop.” After splitting his first two seasons in the minors between SS and pitching, Casey Kelly has decided that the mound is best route to the majors. Although he hit the ball well in his first season with Lowell, his bat began to slump as he rose through Single-A, making his decision a bit easier. That and the fact that this kid can flat-out pitch!With his 6’2”, 200lbs frame, Kelly was a highly recruited baseball and football player out of high school. He turned down a full scholarship to play quarterback at the University of Tennessee after the Red Sox snatched him with the 30th overall pick in the 2008 draft. His athletic build provides him with a consistent, fluid pitching motion that has his fastball hovering around 92 mph. He also has a hard breaking 12-6 curveball and a changeup that comes through with the same arm speed as his heater, making it very deceiving for hitters.
His control and his mechanics are what make him so highly touted. He is rated in the Top 5 on every Red Sox Prospects list. He is currently the 2nd best prospect in the Sox system according to Baseball America, who indicates that he is a “future frontline starter.” Since the big club is loaded with some great talent on the mound, Kelly will be given the opportunity to polish his skills in the minors and he will be starting the 2010 campaign with the Portland Sea Dogs.
All of the reports that we read indicate that Kelly is already more advanced in his progress than anyone else at his age (20). It may be due to the baseball pedigree that he has flowing through his blood. His dad Pat played nine seasons in the majors as a second baseman.
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