Introduction
Michael Joseph Kelly (born September 6, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Guardians.
Career
San Diego Padres
Kelly attended West Boca Raton Community High School in Boca Raton, Florida, and played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher. The San Diego Padres selected Kelly in the first round, with the 48th overall selection, of the 2011 MLB draft.
Kelly split the 2017 season between the Double–A San Antonio Missions and Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas. In 28 games (22 starts), he accumulated a 10–4 record and 4.19 ERA with 128 strikeouts in 126+2⁄3 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017. He pitched for the Padres' organization for six seasons without appearing in the major leagues.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles signed him to a major league contract after the 2017 season. Kelly was designated for assignment on March 29, 2018. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Double-A Bowie Baysox.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
He elected free agency on November 2, 2018, and spent the 2019 season with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league.
Philadelphia Phillies
Kelly signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies before the 2022 season. He began the season with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The Phillies promoted him to the major leagues on June 13. He was sent outright to Triple-A on July 14. On October 14, Kelly elected free agency.
Cleveland Guardians
On January 4, 2023, Kelly signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. The deal included an invitation to the Guardians' 2023 major league spring training camp. He began the year with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, where he made 18 appearances and recorded a 1.61 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 2 saves in 22+1⁄3 innings pitched. On June 3, Kelly was selected to the major league roster to fill the roster spot vacated by Hunter Gaddis, who had been optioned to Triple-A.
The Guardians designated Kelly for assignment on November 14, 2023.
Oakland Athletics
On November 17, 2023, Kelly was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.