Michael Joseph Kelly Bio
Michael Joseph Kelly (born September 6, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). The right-handed hurler has appeared in parts of four MLB seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Guardians, and Oakland Athletics. Kelly was originally selected in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres with the 48th overall pick. After spending six seasons in the Padres minor league system without reaching the majors, he embarked on a journeyman career that included stints in independent baseball and multiple organizations before finally making his MLB debut in 2022. Kelly wears number 49 for the Athletics.
Early Life and Background
Michael Kelly grew up in Florida and attended West Boca Raton Community High School in Boca Raton. During his high school career, he served as the team’s primary pitcher and demonstrated the talent that would attract attention from professional scouts. His strong performances on the mound helped establish his reputation as one of the top prospects in the region heading into the 2011 MLB Draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
Kelly’s amateur success caught the eye of major league scouts, leading to his selection by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft. The Padres chose him with the 48th overall pick, recognizing his potential as a future contributor at the highest level. He signed quickly and began his professional career the following season in 2012.
Michael Kelly Career
San Diego Padres Minor League System (2011–2017)
Kelly made his professional debut in 2012, splitting the season between the rookie-level Arizona League Padres and Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps. He advanced to Fort Wayne for a full season in 2013, going 3-2 with a 5.75 ERA and 49 strikeouts across 56 and one-third innings. The following year, Kelly returned to Eugene and posted a 7-5 record with a 4.05 ERA and 71 strikeouts over 15 appearances.
His progression continued through the Padres system, with stops at High-A Lake Elsinore Storm and Double-A San Antonio Missions. In 2016, Kelly combined to go 9-8 with a 4.34 ERA and 115 strikeouts across 128 and two-thirds innings with Lake Elsinore, San Antonio, and Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. His best minor league season came in 2017 when he split time between Double-A San Antonio and El Paso, compiling a 10-4 record with a 4.19 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 126 and two-thirds innings. Despite these strong numbers, Kelly never reached the majors during his six seasons with the organization.
Baltimore Orioles and Independent Ball (2017–2019)
Kelly signed a major league contract with the Baltimore Orioles on December 14, 2017. However, he was designated for assignment in late March 2018 and cleared waivers, being outrighted to Double-A Bowie Baysox. He spent the 2018 season between Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk Tides, struggling to a 1-6 record with an 8.42 ERA and 62 strikeouts across 31 appearances. Following the season, Kelly elected free agency.
In April 2019, Kelly joined the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league. He made 20 appearances with 17 starts, posting a 3-8 record with a 5.34 ERA and 83 strikeouts across 89 and one-third innings. The independent league stint helped him rebuild his confidence and refine his craft.
Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies (2021–2022)
Kelly signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros organization on May 11, 2021. He split the season between Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks and Triple-A Sugar Land Skeeters. In 41 relief outings, Kelly recorded a 5-4 record with a stellar 2.70 ERA and 62 strikeouts across 50 innings. He elected free agency following the season.
On November 28, 2021, Kelly signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. He began 2022 with Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs and earned his first major league promotion on June 13, 2022, when he was selected to the 40-man roster and called up. Kelly made his MLB debut that day, appearing in four games for the Phillies and recording a 2.25 ERA with four strikeouts across four innings. He was sent outright to Triple-A in July and elected free agency in October.
Cleveland Guardians (2023)
Kelly signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians on January 4, 2023, with an invitation to major league spring training. He began the season with Triple-A Columbus Clippers, where he dominated with a 1.61 ERA and 36 strikeouts across 22 and one-third innings with two saves in 18 appearances. His strong performance earned a promotion to the majors on June 3, when he was selected to fill a roster spot. Kelly appeared in 14 games for Cleveland, compiling a 3.78 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 16 and two-thirds innings. The Guardians designated him for assignment on November 14.
Oakland Athletics (2024–Present)
The Oakland Athletics claimed Kelly off waivers on November 17, 2023. He joined the organization for the 2024 season and made 28 appearances, recording an impressive 2.59 ERA with 22 strikeouts across 31 and one-third innings. On June 4, 2024, MLB announced a one-year suspension for Kelly for violating the league’s gambling policies. He was activated from the restricted list on June 5, 2025, returning to the mound for Oakland.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Kelly features a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s, complementing it with a slider and changeup. His ability to work out of the bullpen has become his primary role at the major league level, with his strikeout ability and ground-ball tendencies making him a useful middle-relief option. His experience as both a starter and reliever throughout his minor league career has provided him with versatility that teams value.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kelly’s career has been defined by perseverance through adversity. After being passed over by the Padres despite six productive minor league seasons, he continued grinding through independent ball and multiple organizations before finally reaching the majors at age 29. His 2024 suspension for violating gambling policies marked a significant setback, but his activation in June 2025 demonstrated his commitment to continuing his career.
Michael Kelly Career Wins
Kelly has compiled an 8-6 win-loss record with a 3.72 ERA and 77 strikeouts across his MLB career through May 31, 2026. His most effective stint came with Oakland in 2024 before his suspension, where he posted a 2.59 ERA in 28 relief appearances. At the minor league level, Kelly accumulated numerous wins across six organizations, with his 2017 season in the Padres system (10-4) and 2016 campaign (9-8) representing his best years.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Through his MLB career spanning 2022 to 2025, Kelly has appeared in 46 total games, all in relief. His best season came in 2024 with Oakland before the suspension, where his 2.59 ERA was nearly a full run lower than his career average. His debut season with Philadelphia in 2022 showed promise with a 2.25 ERA in limited action.
Minor League Career
Kelly’s minor league career featured several productive seasons. His most successful year came in 2017 with the Padres organization, where he went 10-4 between Double-A and Triple-A with 128 strikeouts. He also posted a 9-8 record in 2016 across three affiliates. The independent league season with Southern Maryland in 2019 helped him refine his mechanics before his resurgence with Houston in 2021.
| Level | Games | W-L | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 46 | 8-6 | 3.72 |
| 2017 Minor League | 28 | 10-4 | 4.19 |
Michael Kelly Family
Personal Life
Kelly maintains a public presence on Instagram at his verified account. Details about his family, education beyond high school, and personal relationships remain private and have not been publicly disclosed. He has not had any children publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Kelly returned from his one-year suspension on June 5, 2025, when the Athletics activated him from the restricted list. The 2025 campaign marked his return to competitive baseball after a significant absence. He resumed his role in the Athletics bullpen, providing depth and experience to a young pitching staff. The team relied on his versatility and veteran presence as they navigated through the season. His ability to bounce back from adversity demonstrated his mental toughness and dedication to the sport.