Antoine

Kelly

Kelly was claimed off waivers from the Rangers last month and was assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque. He had since given up six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, having also missed three weeks with an undisclosed injury. It’s been a completely lost year for a pitcher who looked like a pretty good relief prospect a year ago.

Kelly represents an interesting lottery ticket for the Rockies as a former second-round pick from the 2019 MLB Draft. The 24-year-old southpaw has converted to a full-time relief role and showed some real promise last year in the upper minors with a 2.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 79/23 K/BB ratio across 57 13/ innings (49 appearances) between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. He’s been limited to just 19 relief outings this year in the minors due to injury.

Kelly was the prospect the Rangers got from the Brewers for Matt Bush two years ago, and he was added to the 40-man after last season. He was a terrific minor league reliever last year, posting a 2.04 ERA and a 79/23 K/BB in 57 1/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A, but he had a 9.35 ERA and a 24/22 K/BB in 17 1/3 innings this season.

There were reports that the Rangers considered opening the season with three catchers on the active roster but ultimately decided against it. While Huff isn’t known for his defensive prowess, he can still swing it, hitting .298/.399/.548 with 17 homers across 321 plate appearances at Triple-A Round Rock. He’ll provide depth at catcher in the upper levels of the Rangers’ minor league system.

The 23-year-old southpaw came to the Rangers in the 2022 deadline deal that sent Matt Bush to the Brewers. Kelly was a dominant force out of the bullpen at Double-A Frisco in 2023 — compiling a 1.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 69/22 K/BB ratio over 50 2/3 innings of work before finishing out his season with six appearances at Triple-A Round Rock. Expect him to open the season in a high-leverage role at Triple-A Round Rock before eventually making his big league debut with the Rangers.

Kelly, 22, has battled injuries and control issues in pro ball but has a big arm capable of missing plenty of bats. He holds a 3.86 ERA and 119/52 K/BB ratio over 91 innings at the High-A level in 2022.

It will be utility player Mark Mathias and pitching prospect Antoine Kelly going to the Rangers, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Bush battled arm issues for years and spent time on the injured list with a forearm ailment back in June. However, he’s been excellent this year when healthy, posting a 2.95 ERA and 45/10 K/BB ratio over 36 2/3 innings.

Kelly, 22, allowed three runs on three his in the contest, and he issued one walk. A second-round pick in 2015, Kelly has always intrigued with his ability to miss bats, and he’s now struck out 53 over his 39 1/3 innings over eight starts with a 2.52 ERA for good measure. Command has and likely will remain an issue for him, but he’s walked just one batter in three of his last four starts. If Kelly can keep the walks to a low roar he has a chance to pitch in a rotation someday. If not, he could be an excellent high-leverage reliever.

The left-hander is expected to miss all of the 2021 season. A second-round pick in the 2019 draft, Kelly is one of the better pitching prospects in the Milwaukee system, and has the stuff to pitch as a starter but may lack the command to be more than a reliever.