Joe Kelly is a well-known name in the world of baseball. He started his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 after being drafted in the third round of the 2009 MLB draft.
He later played for the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers before joining the Chicago White Sox in 2022. Given his storied career, many baseball fans may wonder if Joe Kelly is still playing baseball.
This blog post will explore Joe Kelly’s career in baseball and provide an answer to this question. We will also look at his recent performance, rumors and speculation surrounding his future in the sport.
Joe Kelly’s Career in Baseball
Early Years
Joe Kelly was born on June 9, 1988, in Anaheim, California. He played college baseball at the University of California, Riverside, where he was a starting pitcher. In 2009, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the MLB draft.
Drafted by the Cardinals
Joe Kelly made his Major League debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. He played with the team until 2014, during which time he was primarily used as a starting pitcher. Kelly had a record of 22-16 with a 3.25 ERA in 68 appearances for the Cardinals.
Stints With the Red Sox and Dodgers
In 2014, Joe Kelly was traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he played until 2018. During his time with the Red Sox, he appeared in 80 games and had a record of 22-15 with a 4.33 ERA. In 2019, he signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. During his time with the Dodgers, Kelly played in 96 games and had a record of 4-5 with a 3.63 ERA.
Current Team (Chicago White Sox)
In December 2021, Joe Kelly signed a one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. He is currently playing for the team as a relief pitcher. During the 2022 season, he has appeared in 11 games and has a record of 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA.
Joe Kelly’s career in baseball has spanned over a decade, during which time he has played for multiple teams and has primarily been used as a starting pitcher or a relief pitcher. With his move to the Chicago White Sox, he has shown that he still has the talent and drive to continue playing baseball at a high level.
Recent Performance
Key Statistics
Joe Kelly’s key statistics vary depending on the season and his role on the team. Overall, he has a career record of 62-48 with a 3.86 ERA in 472 appearances.
In the 2022 season with the Chicago White Sox, he has appeared in 11 games and has a record of 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA. He has struck out 9 batters and has allowed only 3 earned runs in 12.2 innings pitched.
Notable Performances or Achievements
One of Joe Kelly’s most notable performances came during the 2018 postseason with the Boston Red Sox. He appeared in 10 games and had a 0.79 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 11.1 innings pitched. He was instrumental in helping the Red Sox win the World Series that year.
Kelly was also named the National League Player of the Week in August 2013 during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Comparison to Other Players in His Position
Joe Kelly’s performance can be compared to other relief pitchers in the league. As of the 2022 season, his 2.84 ERA is lower than the league average of 3.80 for relief pitchers. However, his strikeout rate of 6.4 strikeouts per 9 innings is slightly lower than the league average of 9.3 strikeouts per 9 innings for relief pitchers.
Overall, Joe Kelly’s recent performance with the Chicago White Sox has been solid. He has pitched well and has helped the team in important situations.
While his strikeout rate is not as high as some other relief pitchers in the league, his ability to keep runs off the board is valuable to the team.
Rumors and Speculation
Trade Rumors
As of now, there have been no recent trade rumors surrounding Joe Kelly. However, it is always possible that trade talks could arise as the season progresses and teams begin to assess their needs and potential trade targets.
Injury Concerns
Joe Kelly has had his fair share of injuries throughout his career, including a strained hamstring in 2018 and a shoulder injury in 2020. However, he has remained relatively healthy in the 2022 season with the Chicago White Sox.
As with any player, there is always the risk of injury, but there have been no significant injury concerns regarding Joe Kelly in the current season.
Contract Status
Joe Kelly signed a one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox in December 2021, which means he will become a free agent at the end of the 2022 season. It is unclear at this time if the White Sox will try to re-sign him, or if he will explore other opportunities in free agency.
However, if he continues to perform well, he could attract interest from other teams looking for a reliable relief pitcher.
Overall, there have been no major rumors or concerns surrounding Joe Kelly in the 2022 season. However, as the season progresses and the trade deadline approaches, there is always the possibility of trade talks emerging.
In terms of his contract status, it remains to be seen what his future holds beyond the 2022 season.
Joe Kelly’s Career Statistics
| Team | Years Played | W-L Record | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | 2012-2014 | 10-8 | 3.25 | 146 |
| Boston Red Sox | 2014-2018 | 26-14 | 3.82 | 321 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 2019-2021 | 4-4 | 3.07 | 206 |
| Chicago White Sox | 2022 | 1-0 | 2.84 | 12 |
Note: The statistics are accurate as of April 13, 2023.
FAQs
How long has Joe Kelly been playing baseball professionally?
Joe Kelly was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2012 and has been playing professionally ever since, with stints with the Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and now the Chicago White Sox.
What position does Joe Kelly play?
Joe Kelly is a relief pitcher, meaning he comes into the game in relief of the starting pitcher to help the team maintain or extend their lead.
What is Joe Kelly’s pitching style?
Joe Kelly is known for his high velocity fastball, which he often throws in the upper 90s. He also throws a curveball, slider, and changeup.
What teams has Joe Kelly played for?
Joe Kelly has played for the St. Louis Cardinals (2012-2014), Boston Red Sox (2014-2018), Los Angeles Dodgers (2019-2021), and Chicago White Sox (2022-present).
Has Joe Kelly ever won any awards or accolades?
Yes, Joe Kelly was named the National League Player of the Week in August 2013 while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also instrumental in helping the Boston Red Sox win the World Series in 2018, earning a 0.79 ERA in 10 postseason appearances.
Conclusion
Joe Kelly is currently playing baseball for the Chicago White Sox as a relief pitcher. He has had a successful career thus far, having played for multiple teams and earning various accolades, including helping the Boston Red Sox win the World Series in 2018.
His recent performance with the White Sox has been solid, with a 2.84 ERA and a record of 1-0 in 11 appearances.
While there have been no major rumors or concerns surrounding him in the 2022 season, trade talks and free agency are always a possibility as the season progresses. Overall, Joe Kelly remains a valuable asset to any team in need of a reliable relief pitcher.
