Kennesaw State hurler John Kelly may not have had a specialized delivery and had an unorthodox delivery, but his coach Chip Reese still hoped his top pitcher would be drafted that year, The Atlanta Journal wrote in March 1990.
"The bottom line is that John Kelly gets people out," Reese told The Journal. "He's a tremendous competitor, on and off the playing field, who knows how to win."
Kelly did get drafted that year and he went on to the pros. His pro career ended up lasting eight seasons. He topped out at AAA.
Kelly's career began that year in 1990, taken by the Cardinals in the 34th round out of Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
After getting drafted, Kelly told The Atlanta Constitution he was ready.
"Really, I've been crazy the last couple of days, waiting to hear something," Kelly told The Constitution. "But I'm ready now. I'm glad I'm going to get a chance to play in the pros. And I'm going to work as hard as I can."
Kelly started with the Cardinals at rookie Johnson City. He saw 25 relief outings and ended with a 0.79 ERA and 13 saves.
He moved to single-A Savannah for 1991 and went 6-5 in 56 relief outings, with a 1.38 ERA and 30 saves. He saved another 38 at high-A St. Petersburg in 1992 and 27 at AA Arkansas in 1993.
In 1994, Kelly made AAA Louisville for nine outings. He gave up 12 earned in 20.2 innings of work.
For 1995, he moved to the Tigers system and AA Jacksonville. That June, he spoke to The Journal about his prospects in his sixth pro season, and after becoming the active minor league saves leader with 139.
"It's kind of a dubious honor," Kelly told The Journal. "I mean, it's good and my parents are excited about it and all that, but I know I can pitch in the major Leagues. I just haven't had the chance yet."
Kelly saw 66 relief outings for Jacksonville that year, saving 19. He played between Jacksonville and high-A Visalia for 1996, then at independent Minot in 1997 to end his career.
- Atlanta Journal, March 22, 1990: Kelly thrives in familiar role as 'king of the hill' for Kennesaw State
- Atlanta Constitution, June 7, 1990: Cards' call ends Kelly's suspense
- Atlanta Journal, June 29, 1995: Kelly is a minor league ace, but will he majors take heed?
Made the Majors:1,417-32.1
Never Made Majors:2,999-67.9%-X
I didn't know there was a baseball coach named Chip Reese. One of the greatest poker players of all time had that name.
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