Merrill Kelly

Merrill Kelly: biography

Merrill Kelly is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Childhood and youth

Merrill Kelly was born on October 14, 1988, in Houston, Texas, to parents who were both teachers. He grew up in a family that valued education and hard work, and those values would shape his life and career.

As a child, Kelly was interested in sports and played a variety of them, including basketball, football, and baseball. He quickly showed a natural talent for baseball, and it became his primary focus as he got older.

Kelly attended Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he played on the school's baseball team. During his time there, he established himself as a standout player and caught the attention of college scouts.

After graduating from high school in 2007, Kelly attended Yavapai College, a junior college in Prescott, Arizona. He continued to play baseball and had a successful two years there, earning All-Conference honors in his sophomore season.

Later he transferred to Arizona State University, where he was playing for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Baseball career

Merrill Kelly's professional baseball career began in 2009 when he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round of the MLB draft. He spent several years playing in the Indians' minor league system, where he showed promise but struggled to establish himself as a standout player.

In 2014, Kelly was released by the Indians and signed with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He continued to play in the minor leagues for the Rays for several years, gradually improving his performance and developing his skills as a pitcher.

In 2018, Kelly made the decision to play in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), signing with the SK Wyverns. He had a breakout season in the KBO, posting a 16-7 record with a 3.60 ERA and winning the league's MVP award. He was also named an All-Star and helped lead the SK Wyverns to a championship.

Kelly's success in the KBO caught the attention of MLB teams, and in December 2018, he signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made his MLB debut on April 1, 2019, and quickly established himself as a reliable starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks.

In his first season in the MLB, Kelly posted a 13-14 record with a 4.42 ERA in 32 starts. He showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, earning him the trust of his coaches and teammates.

Kelly's success continued into the 2020 season, albeit a shortened one due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He went 3-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 5 starts and continued to impress with his command and control on the mound.

In the 2021 season, Kelly had a rough start, but quickly bounced back to finish with a 9-13 record and a 4.30 ERA in 30 starts. He proved once again that he is a reliable and durable starter, with the ability to keep his team in games.

Overall, Merrill Kelly's professional baseball career has been one of perseverance and dedication. Despite facing setbacks and challenges along the way, he has remained committed to his dream of playing in the majors and has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Personal life

Merrill Kelly is known for being a hard-working and dedicated athlete, but he also has a personal life outside of baseball. He is married to a woman named Bre, and the couple has a daughter called Hadley together.

In his free time, Kelly enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing golf, and traveling. He is also an avid reader and enjoys studying and learning about various topics, including history and science.

Despite his busy schedule as a professional athlete, Kelly is committed to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and making time for the things and people that matter most to him. He credits his family and support system for helping him stay grounded and focused, both on and off the field.

Overall, Merrill Kelly's personal life is characterized by his strong work ethic, commitment to his family, and passion for learning and exploring new interests. He is a well-respected member of his community and an inspiration to those around him.

Achievements and accomplishments

• Named All-Conference in his sophomore season at Yavapai College
• Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round of the 2009 MLB draft
• Signed with the Tampa Bay Rays organization in 2014
• Played in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) and won the league's MVP award in 2018
• Helped lead the SK Wyverns to a KBO championship in 2018
• Signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in December 2018
• Made his MLB debut on April 1, 2019, with the Diamondbacks
• Named the National League Rookie of the Month for June 2019
• Led all NL rookies in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts in 2019
• Recorded his first career complete game shutout on August 25, 2020, against the San Francisco Giants
• Recorded his 500th career strikeout on June 25, 2021, against the San Diego Padres