Baseball is a sport that requires a diverse range of skills, and one of the most important positions on the field is that of the pitcher.
Pitchers can serve in different roles, including as starters and relievers. Joe Kelly is a well-known baseball player who has served as both a starter and a reliever in his career.
This article aims to examine Kelly’s background, his roles as a starter and reliever, the advantages and disadvantages of each role, and his statistics to determine if he is better suited for one role over the other.
Joe Kelly’s Background
Early Life
Joe Kelly was born on June 9, 1988, in Anaheim, California, USA. He attended Corona High School in Corona, California, where he played both baseball and football.
Kelly was a standout athlete in both sports and was even offered a football scholarship to play at UC Riverside. However, he decided to pursue a career in baseball instead.
College Career
Kelly went on to attend the University of California, Riverside, where he played for the Highlanders baseball team. He played for three years and was the team’s ace pitcher during his junior year. In his final college season, Kelly recorded a 6-3 win-loss record, a 3.68 ERA, and 93 strikeouts.
Professional Career
Kelly was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 MLB draft. He started his professional career in the Cardinals’ minor league system before making his major league debut in 2012.
Kelly spent three seasons with the Cardinals before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2014. He spent two and a half seasons with the Red Sox before being traded again, this time to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018.
Since joining the Dodgers, Kelly has served as both a starter and a reliever, showcasing his versatility on the mound.
Joe Kelly’s Role in Baseball
A starting pitcher in baseball is the player who pitches the first inning of a game and is expected to pitch for at least five innings, depending on their performance. The role of a starter is to set the tone for the game and keep their team in contention for a win.
They usually pitch every fifth day in a team’s rotation and are responsible for throwing the majority of innings during the regular season.
A reliever in baseball is a pitcher who enters the game in place of the starting pitcher or another reliever. The role of a reliever is to maintain a lead, keep the opposing team from scoring, or provide relief to the starting pitcher if they are struggling.
Relievers can pitch for a few innings or just for a few batters, depending on the situation. They can be called upon at any point in the game and are expected to be ready to pitch at a moment’s notice.
Kelly’s Experience as a Starter
Joe Kelly has served as a starting pitcher for several seasons throughout his career. During his time with the Cardinals, he made 38 starts, recording a 14-14 win-loss record, a 3.25 ERA, and 189 strikeouts.
Kelly’s experience as a starter showcases his ability to pitch deep into games and control the pace of the game from the start.
Kelly’s Experience as a Reliever
Kelly has also served as a reliever during his career, particularly during his time with the Red Sox and Dodgers. As a reliever, Kelly has recorded several saves and holds, showcasing his ability to come into the game in high-pressure situations and get the job done.
In 2020, he had a particularly impressive season as a reliever, recording a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings pitched during the playoffs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Kelly’s Roles
Advantages of Starting
Starting pitchers have the ability to pitch for multiple innings, which allows them to settle into a rhythm and get comfortable on the mound.
They can control the pace of the game from the start and set the tone for their team.
Starting pitchers typically have a more consistent routine and know when they will be pitching, which can help them prepare mentally and physically for their next start.
Advantages of Relieving
Relievers can be called upon at any point in the game, which allows them to have a greater impact on the outcome of the game.
They are typically used in high-pressure situations, which can be an adrenaline rush and motivate them to perform at their best.
Relievers can provide a change of pace and style, which can confuse opposing batters and give their team an advantage.
Disadvantages of Starting
Starting pitchers are expected to pitch for a significant number of innings, which can be physically taxing and increase the risk of injury.
They have to face the opposing team’s lineup multiple times, which can make it difficult to keep the batters guessing.
If a starting pitcher is struggling early in the game, it can be difficult to recover and keep their team in contention for a win.
Disadvantages of Relieving
Relievers may not have enough time to properly warm up before entering the game, which can lead to decreased performance and increased risk of injury.
They may only face a few batters or pitch for a short amount of time, which can make it difficult to get into a rhythm.
Relievers may be used frequently, which can lead to fatigue and decreased performance over time.
Kelly’s Statistics
Record as a Starter
Joe Kelly has made 126 starts throughout his career, recording a 49-37 win-loss record, a 3.89 ERA, and 591 strikeouts. His best season as a starter was in 2015 when he went 10-6 with a 2.71 ERA in 25 starts with the Cardinals.
Record as a Reliever
Kelly has appeared in 252 games as a reliever, recording a 26-17 win-loss record, a 3.65 ERA, and 346 strikeouts. He has also recorded 12 saves and 30 holds throughout his career.
Comparison of Stats as a Starter Vs Reliever
Kelly’s statistics as a starter and reliever are relatively similar, with his ERA being slightly higher as a reliever. However, his win-loss record and number of strikeouts are higher as a starter.
This could be due to the fact that he has had more opportunities to pitch as a starter and has been able to pitch for more innings, allowing him to accumulate more strikeouts and wins.
However, his performance as a reliever has been impressive, particularly in high-pressure situations during the playoffs.
Overall, Kelly has proven to be a valuable player in both roles and has the ability to adapt to different situations on the field.
Here is a Table Comparing Joe Kelly’s Statistics as a Starter and a Reliever in Baseball:
| Statistic | Starter | Reliever |
|---|---|---|
| Win-Loss Record | 49-37 | 26-17 |
| ERA | 3.89 | 3.65 |
| Strikeouts | 591 | 346 |
| Saves | 0 | 12 |
| Holds | 0 | 30 |
The table compares Joe Kelly’s win-loss record, ERA, strikeouts, saves, and holds as a starter and as a reliever. It shows that Kelly has more wins, strikeouts, and no saves or holds as a starter, but has a slightly lower ERA as a reliever. This highlights the fact that Kelly has been successful in both roles and has been able to adapt to different situations on the field.
FAQs
Has Joe Kelly always been a starter or has he switched between roles throughout his career?
Joe Kelly has switched between starting and relieving throughout his career. He began his professional career as a starter and made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 as a starter. However, he has also been used as a reliever, particularly during his time with the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Does Joe Kelly prefer starting or relieving?
It is unclear whether Joe Kelly has a preference for starting or relieving, as he has been successful in both roles. However, he has stated in interviews that he enjoys the challenge of pitching in high-pressure situations as a reliever.
How does a team decide whether to use a pitcher as a starter or a reliever?
A team’s decision to use a pitcher as a starter or a reliever depends on a variety of factors, including the pitcher’s skillset, performance history, and the team’s current needs. Starting pitchers typically have a wider range of pitches and the ability to pitch for multiple innings, while relievers are often used in high-pressure situations and have the ability to throw harder and more accurately for shorter periods of time.
Can a pitcher switch between starting and relieving in the middle of a season?
Yes, pitchers can switch between starting and relieving roles during a season. This can happen due to injuries, changes in the team’s needs, or changes in the pitcher’s performance. Some pitchers may even switch back and forth between roles multiple times throughout a season.
Which role is more physically demanding for a pitcher – starting or relieving?
Both roles have their physical demands and can be taxing on a pitcher’s body. Starting pitchers have to pitch for longer innings and are expected to make more starts over the course of a season, which can lead to increased fatigue and injury risk. Relievers, on the other hand, may be called upon to pitch on short notice and may have to throw harder and more accurately for shorter periods of time, which can also be physically demanding.
Conclusion
Joe Kelly is a versatile pitcher who has experience both as a starter and a reliever in baseball. As a starter, he has had more opportunities to pitch for longer innings and accumulate more strikeouts and wins.
As a reliever, he has been called upon in high-pressure situations and has proven to be a valuable asset to his team. While there are advantages and disadvantages to both roles, Kelly’s ability to adapt to different situations has allowed him to be successful in both.
Overall, his statistics show that he is a reliable pitcher who can be counted on to deliver quality performances, regardless of his role on the field.
