Zack Kelly #76

Full name is Zachery Reed Kelly...He and his wife, Brittany, have a son, Kayden (born 9/3/22)...Graduated from Lord Botetourt High School (Va.)...Attended Concord University (W.Va.) from 2014-15 and Newberry College (S.C.) from 2016-17, Division II schools...Entering the 2024 season, only four other people who have attended Newberry College have appeared in the majors: Neil Chrisley (1957-61), Cal Cooper (1948), Billy Rhiel (1929-30, ‘32-33) and Al Shealy (1928, ‘30).

2024

Appeared in 49 games (three starts) over two stints with BOS, going 6-3 with a 3.97 ERA (25 ER/56.2 IP). Ranked second among Red Sox pitchers (min. 20.0 IP) with a .208 opponent AVG (Jansen-.196). In nine appearances with Triple-A Worcester, allowed 0 runs and only one hit in 12.2 IP (.026 AVG, 1-for-38). Ranked in MLB’s 95th percentile in hard-hit rate (31.1%), as well as the 70th percentile or higher in fastball velocity (87th, 96.5 mph), ground-ball rate (77th, 47.7%), whiff rate (71st, 28.1%) and strikeout rate (70th, 25.3%). In three games as an opener, allowed 0 runs and only one hit in 7.2 IP (.042 AVG, 1-for-24)...Started games on 6/9 at CWS (2.0 IP), 6/23 at CIN (2.2 IP), and 8/26 vs. TOR (3.0 IP). Was 4-0 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and .169 opponent AVG on the road, compared to 2-3 with a 4.22 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and .236 opponent AVG at home. Held righties to a .182 AVG/.559 OPS (3 HR) and lefties to a .242 AVG/.860 OPS (7 HR).

2023

Made his first career Opening Day roster but missed 143 games due to right elbow inflammation...Posted a 3.86 ERA (4 ER/9.1 IP) in eight games with BOS and made seven rehab appearances in the minors...Five of his eight outings with BOS were scoreless...Tossed 2.0+ innings in two of his eight appearances...Attended his second ML Spring Training...Posted a 2.70 ERA (3 ER/10.0 IP) in eight games...Pitched on Opening Day (3/30 vs. BAL), relieving Corey Kluber in the fourth inning (0.2 IP, 2 BB, 2 SO)...Posted a 3.68 ERA (3 ER/7.1 IP) in six games before being placed on the injured list on 4/13 with right elbow inflammation...Removed from his start on 4/12 at TB with an injury...Transferred to the 60-day IL on 4/16...On 5/2, underwent an ulnar nerve transposition revision in his right elbow...The procedure was performed by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas at Andrews Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Ala...Started his rehab assignment on 9/1 with High-A Greenville...Made seven rehab appearances with Low-A Salem (2), Greenville (1), Double-A Portland (1) and Triple-A Worcester (3)...Reinstated from the 60-day IL on 9/24 and remained with BOS for the rest of the season...Tossed a perfect inning on 9/26 vs. TB, his first ML appearance since 4/12. 

2022

Made his MLB debut, appearing in 13 games for BOS...Allowed three runs on five hits over 1.0 IP in his final outing (10/1 at TOR), but in his other 12 appearances he posted a 2.13 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and .196 opponent AVG. Pitched primarily for Triple-A Worcester...Was 6-3 with a 2.72 ERA and 13.05 SO/9.0 IP in a team-leading 44 appearances (49.2 IP, 34 H, 15 ER, 25 BB, 72 SO). Attended Spring Training as a non-roster invitee, his first ML Spring Training camp. Posted a 1.69 ERA (2 ER/10.2 IP) through his first 10 outings with the WooSox, nine of which were scoreless. Did not allow an ER in 10 consecutive appearances from 5/22-6/17 (10.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 16 SO). Recognized by the Red Sox as the organization’s Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Month for August. Surrendered 0 ER in 11 consecutive appearances for Worcester from 7/22-8/27 (14.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 7 BB, 23 SO). Selected to the active ML roster on 8/29, his first career appearance on a 40-man roster...Remained with BOS for the remainder of the season. Made his ML debut on 8/29 at MIN...Struck out each of his first two batters faced in a scoreless sixth inning, then tossed a perfect seventh inning the next night at MIN (1 SO). Placed on the paternity list on 9/2...Reinstated on 9/5. Earned his first career win on 9/29 vs. BAL by tossing a scoreless eighth inning (H, SO).

2021

Made a career-high 36 relief appearances between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, his Red Sox organization debut...Was also his Triple-A debut...Between the two levels, posted a 2.18 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .194 opponent AVG, and 13.70 SO/9.0 IP (45.1 IP, 31 H, 11 ER, 18 BB, 69 SO)...Ranked among Sox minor leaguers in relief appearances (T-8th, 36) and saves (T-6th, 6-for-8)...Posted a 2.89 ERA (6 ER/18.2 IP) in 15 appearances for Worcester...Held LHH to a .154 AVG (10-for-65, 0 HR) and RHH to a .221 AVG (21-for-95, 2 HR)...Threw 2.0+ innings nine times...In those games, posted a 0.92 ERA (2 ER/19.2 IP)...Recorded 8 SO in 3.0 scoreless innings in his season debut (5/7 vs. New Hampshire)...Made 12 consecutive scoreless appearances from 5/27-7/1 (14.0 IP)...Retired his final 17 batters faced...Each of his final five outings was perfect (5.0 IP, 0-for-15, 10 SO).