Levi Kelly Explained

Levi Kelly
Position:	Pitcher
Birth Date:	14 May 1999
Bats:	Right
Throws:	Right
Stat1label:	Win–loss record
Stat2label:	Earned run average
Stat3label:	Strikeouts

Levi Hunter Kelly (born May 14, 1999) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

Amateur career

Kelly began his high school career at Nitro High School in Nitro, West Virginia.^{[1] [2] [3]} As a freshman, he committed to play college baseball at Louisiana State University.^{[4] [5]} Following his freshman year, he transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.^[6] After his sophomore year at IMG, he transferred to Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Florida. In 2017, as a junior, he went 7–1 with a 0.62 ERA and 98 strikeouts over 56 innings.^[7] Following his junior year, he transferred back to IMG Academy for his senior season.^[8]

Professional career

After his senior year, Kelly was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.^{[8] [9] [10]}

Kelly signed with the Diamondbacks, and made his professional debut with the Arizona League Diamondbacks of the Rookie-league, pitching six scoreless innings. In 2019, Kelly spent the season with the Kane County Cougars of the Single-A Midwest League.^{[11] [12]} Over 22 starts, he pitched to a 5–1 record with a 2.15 ERA, striking out 126 over innings.^[13] Kelly did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league because of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[14]

After recovering from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the first month of the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Amarillo Sod Poodles of the Double-A Central.^[15] In mid-August, after struggling to a 5.40 ERA over 25 innings pitched in relief, he was placed on the development list, where he finished the year.^[16] He returned to Amarillo to begin the 2022 season, but pitched only one inning due to injury.^[17] Kelly began the 2023 season with the High-A Hillsboro Hops, but struggled to an 11.05 ERA with two strikeouts in innings pitched. He was released on May 4, 2023.^[18]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Baseball: Precocious Nitro freshman Levi Kelly garnering attention. Doug. Smock. Charleston Gazette-Mail. 6 May 2015 .
2. Web site: Nitro's Levi Kelly dealing with fame, notoriety. Rich. Stevens. Charleston Gazette-Mail. 13 April 2015 .
3. Web site: Nitro Freshmen Levi Kelly A Star In The Making. Nicholas. Hurst. May 7, 2015. WCHS.
4. Web site: Nitro's prized freshman Kelly commits to LSU. May 12, 2015. WV MetroNews.
5. Web site: MLB Draft 2018: LSU-signee Levi Kelly drafted by Arizona Diamondbacks in 8th round. Brody Miller, NOLA com | The. Times-Picayune. NOLA.com. 5 June 2018 .
6. Web site: Nitro's Kelly transfers to IMG Academy. August 10, 2015. WV MetroNews.
7. Web site: Where are they now? Southwest Florida's 2018 Major League Baseball Draft class. Alexander. Martin. The News-Press.
8. Web site: Former in-state product Levi Kelly to begin professional baseball journey. June 20, 2018. WV MetroNews.
9. Web site: Diamondbacks, Braves draft Verot's Alexander brothers; Canterbury's DiGiacomo to the Pirates. Adam. Regan. The News-Press.
10. Web site: 10 intriguing names picked on Draft Day 2. MLB.com.
11. Web site: Levi Kelly Speeds Up His Timetable. Nick. Piecoro. www.baseballamerica.com. 24 May 2019 .
12. Web site: Levi wears it well: Kelly develops new pitch for Kane County Cougars called a 'splutter'. Paul. Johnson. chicagotribune.com. 9 July 2019 .
13. Web site: Diamondbacks' Levi Kelly: Joins D-Backs for camp. CBSSports.com. 29 June 2020 .
14. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled . Mlb.com . 2020-06-30 . 2021-08-27.
15. Web site: RotoWire Staff . Diamondbacks' Levi Kelly: Returns from shoulder injury . CBSSports.com . 25 May 2021. 2021-08-27.
16. Web site: D-backs Top Prospects. MLB.com.
17. Web site: Amarillo Sod Poodles Opening Day Roster Revealed .
18. Web site: Levi Kelly Stats, Fantasy & News .