Kevin KellyTBR · RP

2026 review

Kevin Kelly was a Tampa Bay reliever who barely walked anyone, but he allowed more hard contact than most arms in his role. He posted a 2.44 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 73.2 IP over 71 games, with 63 SO and 11 BB across 279 BF, plus 4 SV, 33 HLD and 3 BS, and 6 W against 4 L. Undrafted in NFBC drafts, he finished 164th of 1472 in the TDK LABS 5x5 value rank and 18th of 575 relievers. His 3.9 BB% over 279 BF was the 3rd lowest of 517 pitchers with 100+ BF, while his 42.6 Hard% over 202 BBE was the 11th highest of 517 pitchers with 100+ BF. His 2.44 ERA ran 0.93 below his 3.37 xERA over 279 BF. Right-handed hitters managed just .182/.213/.264 over 156 PA against him, while left-handed hitters did better at .243/.293/.391 over 123 PA. His best month was Jul at a 0.77 ERA in 11.2 IP, and his worst was Sep at a 5.40 ERA in 10.0 IP. In early May the TDK LABS card already had him handling saves in a crowded Tampa Bay bullpen, by mid-Jul it had him dominating high-leverage work, and by late Sep it still called him a high-leverage setup arm despite a recent stretch of rough form.