When Jared Kelley was drafted by the White Sox in the second round this June, he became the first Refugio High School player to be drafted. Kelley had been ranked as the No. 12 player in the draft by MLB Pipeline, but a verbal commitment to the University of Texas and a high bonus demand allowed him to fall to pick 47, where he was selected by the White Sox. He signed for a $3 million bonus.
Due to the COVID-19 shutdown, Kelley did not have the opportunity to report to a White Sox affiliate this season, but was one of the pitchers selected to join the White Sox roster in Schaumburg. That is where he has begun his path to the bigs.
Kelley gathered with reporters via video call from Schaumburg and talked about his experience there and his development goals for the future. He said even when things began to get shut down in March, he continued his regular training regiment.
“When things got shut down I was still starting to train,” Kelley said. “I was still going to Corpus (Christi), they had a ton of restrictions. Only a few guys could come at a time, but I was still able to get my work in, get my workouts in, keep my arm in shape, and just staying ready for when I got this call up right now.”
Kelley had been working with former big leaguer Mike McClendon in Texas on developing spin on his breaking pitches. Once he received the call to pack his bags and head to Schaumburg, Kelley was immediately thrown into the fire. He found himself throwing against big league quality hitters.
“My very first hitter that I faced, pretty much my minor league debut hitter was Nicky Delmonico,” Kelley said. “It was tough. I threw some tough pitches and he didn’t even budge on them. So I’m like ‘I guess this is pro ball.’ Ended up walking him, but it was the first batter.”
Kelley had nothing but positive things to say about his experience in camp so far.
“Since I’ve been with the White Sox I’ve learned there’s not a better group of guys to be around. Coaches-wise, staff-wise, players wise. Everyone has been great,” Kelly said. “They know it’s my first year and they’ve been really understanding and helpful to me.”
Kelley also told reporters he is savoring the opportunity to face high-quality hitters on a regular basis and to train with the pros in an unpredictable and unprecedented season.
“I’m enjoying it, I think its mainly me wanting to finally get out there and start training,” Kelley said. “Finally getting out here with these guys that are pretty much ready for the big leagues and competing against them it’s the best thing that could happen.”
Kelley has just begun facing live batters. Before last Wednesday he had just been throwing bullpens.
“I was throwing bullpens on Tuesday’s and Saturday’s,” Kelley said. “I got my first live last Wednesday.”
Kelley said he threw 15 pitches, walking Delmonico and then forcing two groundouts.
As for what Kelley is working on specifically with the team in Schaumburg, he says he’s working with coaches to stay behind the ball more and reducing run on his pitches and increasing carry. He is working to continue developing the breaking balls he worked on with McClendon in Texas and improving his command of those pitches.
“It’s a new thing for me,” Kelley said. “My ball has always had some run on it, and it’s worked against high school hitters. But I think when you get to the next level, getting more carry on it the stats show that it works better. like a Gerritt Cole or Justin Verlander.”
Kelley says he doesn’t know what’s next when it comes to his development and that with the uncertainty surrounding the future. He’s just focusing on getting better every day and adjusting to the life of a professional athlete.
“I’ve been training, getting workouts in on the field and off the field,” Kelley said. “Just pretty much the training of a professional athlete. Off the field, having a good diet, just everything off the field.”
As for Kelley’s focus in the rest of a bizarre 2020, the young right-hander says he is trying to improve everyday.
“Right now I don’t really know what’s ahead, I don’t know what’s gonna happen with instructs or anything like that,” he said. “So my main focus is coming over here getting better in the weight room, getting better on the field. Just better myself as a pitcher. Just keep on working, focus on the little things and go day-by-day. That’s all I can do right now.”
Photo credit: White Sox Twitter
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