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University of Minnesota Athletics
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RHP
/ Baseball
Gophers Add Transfer Kelly to 2019-20 Class
8/19/2019 11:30:00 AM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota head baseball coach John Anderson has announced that the program will be adding transfer catcher and utility man Jack Kelly to the roster for the 2020 season.
Kelly (St. Michael, Minn.) arrives in Gold Country after two seasons at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. The Minnesota native joins an already impressive 2019 recruiting class that includes the likes of several other key transfers in Drake Davis (Arizona State), Jack Liffrig (Utah) and Ronnie Sweeny (Iowa Western C.C).
"In conjunction with the coaching and support staffs, I look forward to mentoring and supporting Jack in a manner that will allow him to align his personal values with the Gopher Baseball culture as we help prepare him for the next 50 years of his journey," said Anderson.
"Our goal is to help him get re-centered and continue his journey as a Division I student- athlete at Minnesota, allowing Jack to give his best effort in the daily process while pursuing his academic and athletic goals. We will help him grow into a strong leader and an independent, critical thinker who can leave this university and achieve great things. Throughout his baseball career, Jack has competed at a high level and we believe he will contribute significantly to our success on the field during his remaining two seasons of competition. I am excited to have Jack join the Gopher Baseball Family and believe he will be an outstanding addition to the team and our WHY."
Jack Kelly
Kelly broke out in a big way this summer for the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League, hitting .302 with 39 hits, three home runs, one triple, seven doubles, 21 walks and 23 RBI. As a result of his recent success, he was named to the Major League Baseball Dreams Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin, reserved for the best professional prospects participating in the league.
As a sophomore this past spring, Kelly finished with a .296 average that was third-best among Wildcats hitters. To go along with that clip, he swatted four doubles, one home run and recorded 11 RBI. One of the hottest hitters for Northwestern down the stretch in 2019, Kelly amassed a .366 average (15-for-41) with 26 total bases in 11 games while seeing action at catcher, designated hitter and in the outfield. Over the past two seasons, the left-handed hitting catcher/outfielder has seen extensive Big Ten action, playing in 56 games with a career .341 slugging percentage (.423 in 2019) to go with a .988 fielding percentage. In addition to his work on the field, Kelly also earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades for his performance in the classroom.
A four-year letter winner and captain at St. Michael-Albertville High School for Head Coach Paul Schumm, Kelly led the Knights to three Mississippi 8 Conference Championships and a berth to the 2015 Minnesota State Tournament. As a senior, Kelly was one of the top performers in the state, posting a .407 average with five home runs, nine doubles, 12 triples and 41 RBI. The performance earned him All-Conference, All-State, All-Area and All-Metro First Team accolades, in addition to being named to the USA Today All-Minnesota Team and a selection to the Play Ball Minnesota All-Star Team. Kelly finished his high school career with a .367 average to go along with 20 doubles, 17 triples, 71 RBI and 19 stolen bases.
A preseason All-American selection, Kelly was ranked as the No. 1 overall catcher in the state of Minnesota and the No. 75 catcher nationally by Perfect Game. Additionally, Prep Baseball Report tabbed Kelly as the No. 1 overall catcher in Minnesota, No. 29 catcher nationally and the No. 311 player overall. Due to his status, Kelly earned a spot on the Super60 Team in Chicago, Illinois, reserved for the top-60 high school seniors in country.
Kelly on why he chose Minnesota: "I am very excited to be a member of the Gopher Baseball Family. Becoming a part of this team, along with the school in general, is not only an exciting opportunity for me, but also my friends and family who will now be able to share in this new experience with me now that I am near my hometown."
Coach Casey on Kelly: "Jack is going to be a huge addition to our program, both on and off the field. When you talk about adding internally motivated young men who will represent the University of Minnesota academically, athletically and socially, Jack is the perfect fit for what our program and institution stands for. His athleticism and left-handed bat will contribute immediately to our 2020 team and we envision Jack being someone we can build around with his experience and ability to help us offensively immediately. He has an advanced approach at the plate that will fit seamlessly into our offensive philosophy and his ability to play multiple positions, along with his good arm strength and speed, will fit well into the mold of our team defensively. We are thrilled to have Jack and his parents, John and Becki, as part of the Gopher Baseball family."
With the addition of Kelly, the Gophers' 2019-20 class now stands at 12 newcomers. The overall breakdown includes seven new hurlers joining the Minnesota staff, with five position players rounding out the group.
Kelly (St. Michael, Minn.) arrives in Gold Country after two seasons at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. The Minnesota native joins an already impressive 2019 recruiting class that includes the likes of several other key transfers in Drake Davis (Arizona State), Jack Liffrig (Utah) and Ronnie Sweeny (Iowa Western C.C).
"In conjunction with the coaching and support staffs, I look forward to mentoring and supporting Jack in a manner that will allow him to align his personal values with the Gopher Baseball culture as we help prepare him for the next 50 years of his journey," said Anderson.
"Our goal is to help him get re-centered and continue his journey as a Division I student- athlete at Minnesota, allowing Jack to give his best effort in the daily process while pursuing his academic and athletic goals. We will help him grow into a strong leader and an independent, critical thinker who can leave this university and achieve great things. Throughout his baseball career, Jack has competed at a high level and we believe he will contribute significantly to our success on the field during his remaining two seasons of competition. I am excited to have Jack join the Gopher Baseball Family and believe he will be an outstanding addition to the team and our WHY."
Jack Kelly
| Position: C/INF/OF | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185 | Bat/Throws: L/R Hometown: St. Michael, MN | High School: St. Michael-Albertville | Previous School: Northwestern Scouting Report: Highly talented left-handed bat with an advanced approach and developing power. Should slot somewhere in the middle of the Gopher offense right away while providing depth behind the plate and in the field. |
Kelly broke out in a big way this summer for the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League, hitting .302 with 39 hits, three home runs, one triple, seven doubles, 21 walks and 23 RBI. As a result of his recent success, he was named to the Major League Baseball Dreams Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin, reserved for the best professional prospects participating in the league.
As a sophomore this past spring, Kelly finished with a .296 average that was third-best among Wildcats hitters. To go along with that clip, he swatted four doubles, one home run and recorded 11 RBI. One of the hottest hitters for Northwestern down the stretch in 2019, Kelly amassed a .366 average (15-for-41) with 26 total bases in 11 games while seeing action at catcher, designated hitter and in the outfield. Over the past two seasons, the left-handed hitting catcher/outfielder has seen extensive Big Ten action, playing in 56 games with a career .341 slugging percentage (.423 in 2019) to go with a .988 fielding percentage. In addition to his work on the field, Kelly also earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades for his performance in the classroom.
A four-year letter winner and captain at St. Michael-Albertville High School for Head Coach Paul Schumm, Kelly led the Knights to three Mississippi 8 Conference Championships and a berth to the 2015 Minnesota State Tournament. As a senior, Kelly was one of the top performers in the state, posting a .407 average with five home runs, nine doubles, 12 triples and 41 RBI. The performance earned him All-Conference, All-State, All-Area and All-Metro First Team accolades, in addition to being named to the USA Today All-Minnesota Team and a selection to the Play Ball Minnesota All-Star Team. Kelly finished his high school career with a .367 average to go along with 20 doubles, 17 triples, 71 RBI and 19 stolen bases.
A preseason All-American selection, Kelly was ranked as the No. 1 overall catcher in the state of Minnesota and the No. 75 catcher nationally by Perfect Game. Additionally, Prep Baseball Report tabbed Kelly as the No. 1 overall catcher in Minnesota, No. 29 catcher nationally and the No. 311 player overall. Due to his status, Kelly earned a spot on the Super60 Team in Chicago, Illinois, reserved for the top-60 high school seniors in country.
Kelly on why he chose Minnesota: "I am very excited to be a member of the Gopher Baseball Family. Becoming a part of this team, along with the school in general, is not only an exciting opportunity for me, but also my friends and family who will now be able to share in this new experience with me now that I am near my hometown."
Coach Casey on Kelly: "Jack is going to be a huge addition to our program, both on and off the field. When you talk about adding internally motivated young men who will represent the University of Minnesota academically, athletically and socially, Jack is the perfect fit for what our program and institution stands for. His athleticism and left-handed bat will contribute immediately to our 2020 team and we envision Jack being someone we can build around with his experience and ability to help us offensively immediately. He has an advanced approach at the plate that will fit seamlessly into our offensive philosophy and his ability to play multiple positions, along with his good arm strength and speed, will fit well into the mold of our team defensively. We are thrilled to have Jack and his parents, John and Becki, as part of the Gopher Baseball family."
With the addition of Kelly, the Gophers' 2019-20 class now stands at 12 newcomers. The overall breakdown includes seven new hurlers joining the Minnesota staff, with five position players rounding out the group.
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