Jared Kelley
Chicago White Sox
Pitcher
Born: (2001-10-03) October 3, 2001 (age 22)
Victoria, Texas
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Jared Matthew Kelley (born October 3, 2001) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Chicago White Sox organization. He was selected by the Chicago White Sox with the 47th pick of the 2020 MLB draft.

Amateur career

Jared Kelley grew up in Refugio, Texas and attended Refugio High School, where he played baseball and was a member of the varsity football team.[1] He played on the varsity baseball team as a freshman and was named the District 32 Newcomer of the Year after going 7-1 on the mound with a 1.16 ERA, and 109 strikeouts in 60.1 innings pitched and batting .376. Kelley was the starting quarterback for the Bobcats and was named honorable mention All-State and the District 15-2A Offensive Player of the Year and helped lead Refugio to its third straight state championship game appearance. Despite his success, he decided to quit football after the season to focus on baseball.[2] In baseball, Kelley posted a 9-2 record and a 0.34 earned-run average with 153 strikeouts.[3] As a junior, he went 11-0 with a 0.24 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched and was named to the first team All-South Texas.[4] Kelley pitched four perfect innings in a 16-0 win against Agua Dulce High School, striking out all 12 batters he faced in succession.[5]

Kelley pitched for Team USA during the fall in the Under-18 Pan American Championship, helping the team win a gold medal, and played in the 2019 Under Armour All-America game in the following summer, starting the game and striking out five in two innings.[6][7] He also played in the 2019 Perfect Game All American game, throwing a scoreless second inning for his West squad in a 4-2 win.[8] Kelley initially committed to play college baseball at Texas Christian University as a freshman, but de-committed and announced that he would instead play at the University of Texas.[9][10][11] Kelley entered his senior year as a top prospect for the 2020 Major League Baseball draft and was rated the best high school prospect by MLB.com.[12][13][14][15] Kelley was named the 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year after posting 3-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 12 innings before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. Kelley finished his high school career with a 32-3 record with 0.43 ERA and had 23 pitching appearances without surrendering a hit.[16]

Professional career

Kelley was selected by the Chicago White Sox with the 47th overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.[17] Kelley signed with the White Sox on June 27, 2020 for a bonus of $3 million.[18] He was invited to the White Sox alternate training site.[19]

Kelley was assigned to the Low-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers for the 2021 season.[20] He missed time during the season due to a shoulder injury.[21] In 12 starts, Kelley went 0-7 with a 7.61 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and 26 walks over 23+2⁄3 innings.[22]

References

  1. ^ Green, Travis (February 17, 2020). "South Texas Star: Refugio's Jared Kelley". KIIITV.com. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  2. ^ Forman, Mike (January 16, 2018). "Refugio's Kelley decides to concentrate on baseball". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  3. ^ "Refugio's Kelley helps win Pan-American championship". The Advance-Guard Press. December 10, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  4. ^ Hayward, Len (July 2, 2019). "Refugio's Jared Kelley will play at Wrigley Field after Under Armour All-Star selection". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  5. ^ "Refugio's Jared Kelley throws four perfect innings in 16-0 win against Agua Dulce". The Des Moines Register. March 5, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  6. ^ "Refugio's Kelley pitches in All-America Classic". The Victoria Advocate. July 22, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  7. ^ Callis, Jim (July 22, 2019). "Under Armour All-America Game top performers". MLB.com. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  8. ^ "West Wins PGAAC Again, 4-2". Perfect Game. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  9. ^ Martinez, Quinton (June 15, 2019). "Longtime TCU commit Jared Kelley switches pledge to Texas". USA Today. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  10. ^ Triebwasser, Melissa (June 18, 2019). "TCU News: 'It's got a chance to be the most talented team we've had.'". FrogsOWar.com. SB Nation. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  11. ^ Davis, Danny (January 12, 2019). "Top pitching prospect flips his commitment from TCU to Texas". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  12. ^ "Top MLB Draft prospect, Refugio's Kelley has Team USA cards". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. August 20, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  13. ^ "MLB scouts crowd London's baseball field to watch Refugio's Kelley". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  14. ^ Callis, Jim (August 20, 2019). "These are the best high school 2020 Draft prospects". MLB.com. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  15. ^ Hayward, Lay (March 18, 202). "MLB Draft prospect Jared Kelley works to stay sharp with season suspended". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  16. ^ Swinton, Elizabeth (May 29, 2020). "Jared Kelley Named 2019-20 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year". SI.com. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  17. ^ "White Sox Select Prep Righty Jared Kelley in Second Round of Draft". Chicago Sun-Times. June 11, 2020.
  18. ^ "Chicago White Sox reportedly sign prep pitcher Jared Kelley". Chicago Tribune. June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  19. ^ Martinez, Quinton (July 25, 2020). ""Refugio's Jared Kelley added to White Sox alternate roster"". Corpus Christ Times. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  20. ^ Callis, Jim (May 3, 2021). "Where top CWS prospects are starting 2021". MLB.com. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  21. ^ "Top pitching prospect Kelley out with injury". MLB.com.
  22. ^ "Chicago White Sox: Jared Kelley's future outlook going forward". 23 November 2021.

External links

Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year Award
Categories