Triple-A Louisville manager Pat Kelly enjoys adding a bit of humor when informing players about their promotions to the major leagues. On Friday night, after a postgame fireworks show, he approached his son Casey on the field and asked what he had planned for Saturday. Casey, a pitcher who recently joined the Cincinnati Reds after six years in the Korean Baseball Organization, replied, “I’m starting for you tomorrow.” However, that wasn’t the case; instead, he was being called back to the majors. When Pat shared the news with their family, the moment was filled with emotion rather than laughter.
Casey reflected on their reaction, stating, “We kind of just stared at each other for a good couple seconds,” before both began to cry. The tears soon dried as preparations began. By Saturday morning, Casey was in Pittsburgh, and by Saturday night, he was pitching in the major leagues for the first time in 2,159 days. He celebrated his first career save after throwing three perfect innings in a 10-2 win.
Casey Kelly’s Whirlwind Month.
Casey Kelly, a 34-year-old pitcher, has had an eventful month after being signed by the Cincinnati Reds to a minor league deal in late July. Kelly, who was drafted 30th overall by the Boston Red Sox in 2008, reached the majors in 2012 with the San Diego Padres. He then bounced around with the Padres, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants, going 2-11 with a 5.46 ERA in 26 appearances.
In 2019, Kelly left for the LG Twins of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), where he developed his pitching repertoire and found success. Over six seasons with the Twins, he went 73-48 with a 3.31 ERA. However, as he approached his mid-30s, the prospect of returning to the majors seemed to be slipping away.
After being released by the Twins in late July with a 4.51 ERA, Kelly signed with the Reds, whose injury-ravaged pitching staff was in need of help. He joined the Triple-A Louisville Bats, managed by his father, Pat Kelly.
On Saturday night, Kelly made his MLB debut for the Reds, pitching three perfect innings in relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He relied on his off-speed pitches and location to keep the Pirates off balance, throwing 25 of his 38 pitches for strikes.
“I really feel like pitching-wise, it’s the best I’ve been, being able to throw everything where I want to,” Kelly said. “And, obviously you have those days where they’re not. But, you know, I’m confident in my skills now as a pitcher.
Kelly’s performance provided a much-needed boost to the Reds’ bullpen and clubhouse during a second-half slump that has pushed them off the pace in the playoff race. Manager David Bell praised Kelly’s positive impact on the team.
After a whirlwind journey that included a successful stint in the KBO, Casey Kelly is back in the majors with the Reds, determined to make the most of his opportunity and prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
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