Antoine Kelly #75

Antoine “Toine” Jermaine Kelly Jr…Instagram: @ajkjr1…selected in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Brewers and signed by Harvey Kuenn Jr…posted 9-0 record, 1.88 ERA, and 112 strikeouts (19.14 SO/9) over 13 starts (52.2 IP) in lone season at Wabash Valley CC in Mount Carmel, Ill. in 2019...was originally selected by San Diego in the 13th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, but did not sign...was a four-year letter-winner in baseball at Maine Township East High School in Park Ridge, Ill...recorded a 2.64 ERA and 309 strikeouts in his prep career, including a 0.66 ERA and 98 SO as a senior in 2018...doctors sent him home with a piece of his removed rib following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in Nov. 2020.

2023

 Combined to go 3-1 with a 2.04 ERA (13 ER/57.1 IP), 11 saves, and 79 strikeouts (12.4 SO/9) in 49 relief appearances for Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, netting him the Rangers’ Minor League Reliever of the Year Award...the southpaw’s 11 saves were the most by any Texas farmhand in ‘23, while his 49 games tied for the system lead (Alex Speas)… fanned two-or-more hitters in more than half (25-49) of his appearances, including three-or-more SO in 10 app…made first 43 appearances of season at Frisco, ranking among Texas League hurlers (min. 50.0 IP) in ERA (second, 1.95), saves (second, 11), strikeout rate (sixth, 31.8%), and WHIP (11th, 1.16)…earned first win on 4/20 vs. ARK, despite allowing 2 R-ER on 3 H with 4 BB and 3 SO over 2.0 IP…thrived in the closer’s role, going 11-for-11 in saves for the ‘Riders…did not permit an earned run in 20 consecutive appearances spanning 21.2 IP from 6/13-8/11, allowing just 14 H and 3 BB while fanning 25 (8.33 SO/BB) in span…ranked among all MiLB hurlers (min. 20.0 IP) over that stretch in WHIP (9th, 0.78), SO/BB (10th), and opp. OPS (10th, .422)…named Rangers Reliever of the Month for July as he allowed just one unearned run in 10 relief outings, striking out 15 while issuing two walks…struck out season-high five batters in final Frisco app. on 9/1 vs. CC (2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R-0 ER) ahead of promotion to Triple-A Round Rock on 9/8…made final six appearances of season for the Express, where he pitched primarily in a late relief role, entering each of his six games in the seventh inning-or-later…allowed 3 R-2 ER over 6.2 IP (2.70 ERA) with 10 SO to just 1 BB for the E-Train over his brief late-season stint. 

2022

Split his first full minor league season between Wisconsin (A+) of the Milwaukee organization and Frisco (AA) of the Texas organization...was acquired by the Rangers from the Brewers, along with INF Mark Mathias, in exchange for RHP Matt Bush on 8/2...combined to record career-high 143 strikeouts, and his 11.74 SO/9 figure ranked 22nd among MiLB starting pitchers (min. 20 GS)...went 2-4, 3.86 ERA (39 ER/91.0 IP) with 119 strikeouts in 19 starts for Wisconsin prior to trade...was promoted to Double-A upon being acquired by the Rangers, posting no record and a 7.23 ERA (15 ER/18.2 IP) in seven games/five starts for the RoughRiders...did not see a dip in his SO/9 figure after jumping from A+ (11.8) and AA (11.6)...selected to SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Dodger Stadium on 7/16, representing Milwaukee on the N.L. squad.

2021

Returned from injury to make nine appearances/8 starts between Wisconsin (A+), Carolina (A) and ACL Brewers Blue (Rk.)...was on the Injured List for the first three months of the season while recovering from surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome (Nov. 2020)...activated from IL on 7/12 after spending time rehabbing at the Brewers' Spring Training complex in Phoenix.

2020

Did not see official game action as the minor league season was cancelled due to the pandemic...spent entire summer at MIL’s Alternate Training Site in Appleton, WI, developing a changeup to add to his arsenal...underwent pectoralis minor release surgery and a first rib resection surgery on 11/5, performed by Dr. Gregory Pearl...felt discomfort in his throwing arm during Fall Instructional League before tests revealed he would need surgery.

2019

Appeared in 10 G in his 1st pro season rotating time between ACL Brewers Blue (Rk.) and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A)…pro debut was 6/28 vs. AZL Padres 1 (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K).