Pirates to call up hard-throwing prospect Kelly (source)
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PITTSBURGH – The Pirates have called up Antwone Kelly, their No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, from Triple-A Indianapolis, according to a source. The team has not confirmed the report.
Kelly had a 4.50 ERA in 13 appearances (10 starts) with Indianapolis, but he tallied a 3.28 ERA in his past 10 appearances. He worked out of the bullpen in the last two.
The 5-foot-10 Kelly has a fastball that sits around 97 mph. He has hit 100-plus mph 17 times in 2026 thus far. Kelly represented Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, allowing two runs in three innings.
Born in Aruba, Kelly signed for $100,000 as an international free agent in 2021. In 107 1/3 innings across High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona in 2025, Kelly recorded a 3.02 ERA with 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
The 22-year-old Kelly will be tasked with contributing to the Pirates’ bullpen, which has a 4.44 ERA that is fourth worst in the National League. Pittsburgh has yet to announce a corresponding move, but Kelly has been on the 40-man roster since November.