Casey Kelly will be a pitcher

[ehaz]

Thank God.

 

http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2009/12/07/casey-kelly-commits-to-pitching/

[Soxfan1]

Good, considering we have Scutaro tied up and Iglesias waiting after that.

[BSN07]

It's the smart choice. I'm sure his lack luster hitting performance helped in making the final choice.

[jacksonianmarch]

I dont think there was much debate. He has a ton of work to do just to become an MLB potential position player while he's incredibly advanced for his age at the pitcher's position

[CoachC.]

Gordon Edes reported this:

 

Kelly will get invite to big-league camp, and could force his way on major league radar screen "in next year or two," according to GM.

 

Epstein suggested that Kelly could pitch in high minors in 2010

[Spudboy]

I dont think there was much debate. He has a ton of work to do just to become an MLB potential position player while he's incredibly advanced for his age at the pitcher's position

 

See.

 

Jacko can be objective.

 

Seriously, based on what we have been reading, what else would make any sense?

 

Has anyone here actually seen him play?

[example1]

Gammons reported last month that Theo likes Kelly so much he could see Kelly getting a taste of MLB action in 2010... I'm not sure that's the case, but he is really advanced according to people who have watched him. If his command is really as advanced as advertized then he's a good candidate to be a member of this team for a long time. So far, the Sox have not dealt their best young pitchers. They've dealt second-tier guys like Masterson, Hagadone and Hansen, but they keep the guys they thing are near-locks to be rotation caliber.

 

Clay Buchholz is just entering his prime, going into his age 26 season. Kelly won't be pitching his age 26 season until 2016. Let's hope he doesn't mind pitching.

[jacksonianmarch]

There is definitely a precedent with Buchholz. Theo skipped high A altogether with him and put him in Portland. Kelly could do that, but the big issue with Kelly is his IP limit. I highly, highly doubt that he sees any time in the bigs in 2010. Two reasons. By the time he would see time, he'd be at his IP limit, which will likely be in the 150IP mark. And two, Kelly doesnt need to be put on the 40 man until after 2011. Why eat up a spot on the 40 man for a big offseason after 2010 when he could not be on it and still be protected?

[Rdsxmbnt]

Well Kelly has already had a good deal of success in High-A posting a 5.0 K/BB with only 33 hits allowed in 46.2 innings. It's not unrealistic that if he has initial success again in A+ that he'll be bumped right up to AA and from there the majors is right around the corner. 2010 may be a stretch but it's certainly not impossible if he continues to have success in A+ and then in AA also.

[Dojji]

I still say he would have made a pretty decent shortstop. But it's not up for debate that he's far and away more polished as a pitcher. Maybe he takes that athleticism and makes it useful on the mound. Having a pitcher who actually defends his position well is, after all, a good thing.

 

And if he does an Ankiel he still has SS to fall back on.

[riverside sluggers]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

 

I love going to Portland Sea Dogs game. Awesome to hear that Kelly is ticketed to be in the starting rotation. He will also get a ST invite

[a700hitter]

I am hoping the name of this thread changes to Casey Kelly will be a Blue Jay.

[Dipre]

I am hoping the name of this thread changes to Casey Kelly will be a Blue Jay.

 

Of course you do.

[Keeper]

I still say he would have made a pretty decent shortstop.

 

I don't think so. He was terrible in Rookie League.

[BigBadRedSox]

His bat wasn't really impressive in the minors, atleast not compared to his pitching.

[Emmz]

That's why he's a pitcher, thankfully

[Dojji]

I don't think so. He was terrible in Rookie League.

 

in a rather limited set of at bats, and he had no problem fielding his position.

 

He was an interesting prospect as a position player and I think that can only help his defense and athleticism as a pitcher. As I said in the other post, the concept of a pitcher athletic enough to play SS isn't discouraging to me. Heck, if he's that fit it might cut down on injuries. And having a pitcher with at least SOME offensive talent would be an interesting novelty.

[jacksonianmarch]

It would have taken Kelly 2-3 yrs to get onto the national prospect stage as a SS, if he made it at all. He's already there as a pitcher.

[Keeper]

And having a pitcher with at least SOME offensive talent would be an interesting novelty.

 

Only if he played in the NL.

[Loretta2]

in a rather limited set of at bats, and he had no problem fielding his position.

 

He was an interesting prospect as a position player and I think that can only help his defense and athleticism as a pitcher. As I said in the other post, the concept of a pitcher athletic enough to play SS isn't discouraging to me. Heck, if he's that fit it might cut down on injuries. And having a pitcher with at least SOME offensive talent would be an interesting novelty.

 

YEA BECAUSE, JUST THINK, WHAT IF EVERYONE ON THE BENCH DIED!!! HE COULD PINCH HIT!!!!

 

Only if he played in the NL.

 

let the man dream

[Dojji]

YEA BECAUSE' date=' JUST THINK, WHAT IF EVERYONE ON THE BENCH DIED!!! HE COULD PINCH HIT!!!![/quote']

 

You laugh, but IIRC Javier Lopez played some right field for us last year, so these things do crop up occasionally. Kinda nice to know we'd have one emergency guy to go to who had a real chance of not screwing up if it came to that.

[jacksonianmarch]

we do laugh, and we should cause that notion is ridiculous

[Dipre]

we do laugh' date=' and we should cause that notion is ridiculous[/quote']

 

Seconded.

[Dojji]

Go ahead -- I don't mind. It's like the concept of Pedroia being the backup catcher. Funny to consider, but it'll likely never come up.