Born October 4, 1989   Sarasota, Fl   Ht 6-3,    Wt 200 lbs    Throws: R 

Bats:  R

Drafted in the 1^st round (30^th pick) of the 2008 draft by Boston out of Sarasota High School (FL). Signed for 2.631 million bonus with 3 million deferred over 5 yrs.

A standout athlete in high school, Kelly played quarterback for the football team and pitched and played shortstop for the baseball team.  At the end of his senior year he had committed to U of Tennessee to play quarterback for the football team. When drafted by the Red Sox, Kelly struggled with the decision between college and pro baseball. He finally selected baseball, probably partially due to the fact his father, Pat Kelly, was a former 9 yr major league infielder with the Yankees, Cardinals and Blue Jays.

Then came the decision about which role he would be playing in his major league career. Casey had the enviable position of being an excellent athlete at both the shortstop position and as a starting pitcher. The Red Sox organization made the unusual move of allowing him to play both positions in his first pro year, hoping that the most obvious choice would make itself clear.

During the 2009 season there was a pitch limit imposed for Kelly as a starter and then he would be allowed to play shortstop for the remainder of the season.  Starting the season in low A Greenville in the Sally league, Kelly had a 6-1 record and 1.12 ERA in  9 games started and 48.1 IP with 9 BB and 39 K’s. He was then moved up to the high A Salem team in the Carolina league and went 1-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 8 games started and 46.2 IP with 4 HR, 7 BB and 35 K’s.

As a position player, Kelly played for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and for the Greenville team. He played 8 games in the GCL with 28 AB and 4 runs, a double, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB and 10 SO with 1 stolen base and a .214/.290/.464 line. For Greenville, in 32 games and 134 AB, he had 18 runs, 7 2B, a triple, 1 HR, 10 RBI with 16 BB and 39 SO for a .226/.305/.313 line.

Kelly also played in 11 games for Mesa in the AZ Fall league with 41 AB, 5 runs, a double, triple, 6 RBI with 5 BB and 17 SO with 1 SB.

Possessing a very strong and accurate arm at short, Kelly was an exceptional defensive shortstop but his struggles at the plate seemed to make it clear that the pitching mound would be his best path to the major leagues and in the shortest amount of time. In December of 2009 the decision was made to devote his energy to pitching.

In the 2010 season, Casey Kelly was able to devote all his concentration to pitching. With the AA Portland team he went 3-5 and a 5.31 ERA in 21 games and 95 IP. He allowed 10 HR with 35 BB and 81 SO.  In the AZ Fall league he was 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in 4 games and 16 IP. He allowed 2 HR, 4 BB and had 11 SO. There are a couple plausible explanations for the decline in his performance. At 21 yr of age, he was young for the league and somewhat overmatched for someone with his experience. Keeping in mind that he had not concentrated on pitching for an entire season before. The other choice being that with the increased velocity he found in 2010, his command was a little off and he left too many fastballs up in the zone with not as much movement. He also seemed to rely a little too much on his curveball.

Scouts rave about Casey’s 90-95 mph fastball, hard 12-6 curveball and mid 80’s change.  He has the potential for three out pitches as a starter but must regain his command with the increased velocity he has acquired and further develop his curve, showing it a little less often. He has shown an advanced feel for pitching in someone so young with terrific mound presence and excellent defensive skills.   His mechanics are very sound and smooth.

As an offensive player, Kelly was an average runner but had good baserunning instincts so playing in a National League park should play to his strengths. It is possible he will start the 2011 season in AAA but will probably be placed in AA to further enhance his development. If he is able to improve his command and control there is a chance we will see him at the major league level before the end of the season. According to the scouting reports, he is that good.

Kevin Brown has been mentioned as the major league comp for Casey (skills, not attitude) and he could end up being anything from the ace of a staff to a very strong #2. Jed Hoyer has said that the Adrian Gonzalez trade would not have happened if Kelly had not been available.

A 2012 rotation of Latos,  Kelly, Richard, Castro and Stauffer does not seem far fetched and is something to look forward to.