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Rounding the Bases with Cody Kelly
12/9/2020 9:55:00 AM | Baseball
There are six new faces in the fold for the Gopher Baseball program heading into the 2021 season, including five freshmen and one transfer. In order to get to know all of them better, Gopher Sports is sitting down with each newcomer and diving into the finer details of their baseball career.
This week's installment features freshman catcher Cody Kelly, who previously played at St. Michael-Albertville High School and is the younger brother of current Gopher senior utilityman, Jack Kelly. During his prep career, Kelly in fact suited up alongside two additional current Gophers – left-handed pitcher Will Anderson and infielder Boston Merila – in addition to his brother.
While competing for the Knights, Kelly produced an all-time great high school career in the state of Minnesota. Despite the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the entirety of the 2020 season, Kelly still ranks ninth all-time in state history with 111 career RBI. In each of his final three seasons, he finished top-10 in Minnesota in hits, batting average and RBI. Over the past four years combined, the young catcher batted .466 with 130 hits, five home runs, 33 doubles, 77 runs scored and 194 total bases.
As a five-year starter at STMA, Kelly is a two-time First Team All-State and All-Area honoree, three-time Mississippi 8 All-Conference selection and was a 2018 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year Finalist. Equally as accomplished in the classroom, Kelly was named STMA's 2020 Male Student-Athlete of the Year this past spring. He also excelled as a multi-sport athlete, having been a four-year starter for the Knights' hockey team and leading them on the ice as team captain for two seasons.
GS: Why did you choose to attend the University of Minnesota?
CK: "First and foremost, the coaches and the culture that they have built. I believe that's a very big reason as to why everyone chooses Minnesota. Also, it's nice to play with my brother and people I've played with and against growing up... They also want to set you up for success in the future, which resonated with me and my family."
GS: What is it like playing with numerous high school teammates?
CK: "It's been a lot of fun. I didn't know what to expect at first, and it is nice to expand and play with other players, but obviously they're some of my best friends. I've been playing with them since I was nine years old. Obviously, it's great getting back to playing with them… It made it very easy to walk in on the first day."
GS: How has the brotherly dynamic between you and Jack played out through your careers?
CK: "We have a very good relationship. I know we're the same position and I actually became a catcher because of him. Growing up, I always wanted to do what he did. He would always help me out. My family, we kind of joke, I didn't have the greatest work ethic when I was in the younger stages of life, so my brother would say, 'Okay, let's go hit. Let's go throw.' Now that we're both older and we're both on the same stage, we help each other out a ton, whether it's baseball or school. We have a very great relationship, both on and off the field."
GS: How did you and your siblings all develop into such great athletes?
CK: "My parents will say it's genetics. They were both great athletes. My mom played five years of high school basketball and volleyball. My dad played college ball at a JUCO and then he played Division I at College of Charleston as a pitcher. He's helped us a lot with catching because he would tell us what he liked that his catchers did… Even when we were younger, my mom would always come throw Wiffle Balls to me and my brother in the front yard, and she would play catch with us when my dad was at work. She did a lot to help us. As we got older, Jack and I kind of took over. My dad, he was our coach growing up, too – for both of our teams, actually. My dad played a huge role in our development."
GS: When did you first start playing baseball?
CK: "I believe we started as young as we could possibly be. We were in the front yard with the big, yellow plastic bats. I didn't even know if I was left or right-handed. I just stood in the middle with my hands crossed and swung away. But then, my dad always tells this story, we were both right-handed hitters when we were super young, and he switched us around to lefties. He kind of forced us to become lefties, and this is when we're probably three or four years old. We've been doing it ever since."
GS: Tell us about your first experience with head coach John Anderson.
CK: "The first time I heard about Coach Anderson was when he was recruiting my brother, actually. I was fairly young, probably sixth or seventh grade. I never met him or talked to him, I just heard about him through Jack's recruiting process. The first time I talked to him was my freshman year. They were actually the first school that reached out to me. That was a very humbling experience. That's when it kind of clicked for me. When he met with me and my family, it was an instant hit, I thought. He preaches family first. Baseball is important, but we have a great culture here. We're going to set up your kid for the next 50 years of his life. That hit home with my mom and my dad. Their main thing was, we're going to set you up for success in your own life. But, I also believe that's what contributes to their on-field success, also. The great culture, and everyone's willing to play for him. He deserves all the credit in the world for what he's done for the Minnesota baseball program."
GS: What is your biggest strength as a catcher?
CK: "I would say my best trait would be receiving and framing. I believe that's my strong suit. Stealing strikes for our pitchers and helping keep things under control as a game manager, in a sense."
GS: How were you able to be such a consistent run producer in high school?
CK: "Honestly, I think it starts with my teammates and just my team in general. We had a very good team all throughout my high school career. There were always guys on base for me to drive in and we got plenty of at bats. We built a great culture for success because there were so many guys that wanted to move on and had the talent to move on. It all steamrolled."
GS: What is the most memorable moment of your career?
CK: "Playing at Target Field for the league championship when I was 14 years old. I think that's the one that has stuck with me the most. We've won plenty of state championships, too, when we were younger. Those were very fun to experience for both me and my brother. Those moments are awesome, but playing at Target Field, being with my dad as the coach and my brother was there, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
GS: Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?
CK: "I would say I'm more of a straight arrow kind of guy. Just show up and get to work. That's the only thing. I don't need anything specific, like always need to have PB&J or listen to this song."
GS: Who is your biggest inspiration or influence?
CK: "My family. My brother, my mom, my dad and my sister. They've been there since the very beginning. They're the ones who got me into it. The ones who when no one else is around, they're there to throw with me, hit with me – they're there for everything. My grandma, Shirley, has also been there for me, too. She's gone on flights with me to go to tournaments when my parents couldn't make it. She's driven me to games and practices. She's also been a very important figure in my life and been a rock for us."
GS: Who would play Cody Kelly in a Hollywood film?
CK: "I would love to say Leonardo DiCaprio. He's my favorite actor, but I probably wouldn't go with him to play me. I'd probably go with Tom Cruise or Kevin Costner. I'll go Tom Cruise."
GS: What is your favorite part about being a Gopher?
CK: "There are so many positives to it that it's hard to pick just one good one. Being close to home. Playing with my brother. Playing with my friends growing up. Being a part of a great culture, great organization, great baseball program. Being a part of one of the biggest schools up here in the north. There's so many."
GS: If you could be one teammate for a day, who would it be?
CK: "Ronald Sweeny. He wouldn't be a bad one. Gabe Knowles, too, because he's married. But I don't think I want to be married yet, so I'll go with Ronnie."
GS: What are your aspirations for after college ball?
CK: "I would like to play professional baseball and take that as far as it will allow me. I'm going to give it my all and see how far it takes me. If that doesn't work out, I'm majoring in finance as well. I would like to go into investments, or something to do with that. But my main goal is to see how far baseball takes me and give it a ride."
GS: What are your goals for your freshman season?
CK: "One of my personal goals is to get a hang of what the college baseball lifestyle is. What travel days are like, getting my feet wet. For a physical goal, I want to get as big as I can because I'm pretty skinny right now. I don't know my role yet, whether it's going to be a big one or a very small one, but I believe every role is important to the team's success. Whatever role I'm in, I'm going to do whatever I can to do it to the best of my ability to help the team be successful. Ultimately, we want to get to Omaha. That's everyone's goal, and whatever role mine is, I want to help the team get there."
This week's installment features freshman catcher Cody Kelly, who previously played at St. Michael-Albertville High School and is the younger brother of current Gopher senior utilityman, Jack Kelly. During his prep career, Kelly in fact suited up alongside two additional current Gophers – left-handed pitcher Will Anderson and infielder Boston Merila – in addition to his brother.
While competing for the Knights, Kelly produced an all-time great high school career in the state of Minnesota. Despite the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the entirety of the 2020 season, Kelly still ranks ninth all-time in state history with 111 career RBI. In each of his final three seasons, he finished top-10 in Minnesota in hits, batting average and RBI. Over the past four years combined, the young catcher batted .466 with 130 hits, five home runs, 33 doubles, 77 runs scored and 194 total bases.
As a five-year starter at STMA, Kelly is a two-time First Team All-State and All-Area honoree, three-time Mississippi 8 All-Conference selection and was a 2018 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year Finalist. Equally as accomplished in the classroom, Kelly was named STMA's 2020 Male Student-Athlete of the Year this past spring. He also excelled as a multi-sport athlete, having been a four-year starter for the Knights' hockey team and leading them on the ice as team captain for two seasons.
GS: Why did you choose to attend the University of Minnesota?
CK: "First and foremost, the coaches and the culture that they have built. I believe that's a very big reason as to why everyone chooses Minnesota. Also, it's nice to play with my brother and people I've played with and against growing up... They also want to set you up for success in the future, which resonated with me and my family."
GS: What is it like playing with numerous high school teammates?
CK: "It's been a lot of fun. I didn't know what to expect at first, and it is nice to expand and play with other players, but obviously they're some of my best friends. I've been playing with them since I was nine years old. Obviously, it's great getting back to playing with them… It made it very easy to walk in on the first day."
GS: How has the brotherly dynamic between you and Jack played out through your careers?
CK: "We have a very good relationship. I know we're the same position and I actually became a catcher because of him. Growing up, I always wanted to do what he did. He would always help me out. My family, we kind of joke, I didn't have the greatest work ethic when I was in the younger stages of life, so my brother would say, 'Okay, let's go hit. Let's go throw.' Now that we're both older and we're both on the same stage, we help each other out a ton, whether it's baseball or school. We have a very great relationship, both on and off the field."
GS: How did you and your siblings all develop into such great athletes?
CK: "My parents will say it's genetics. They were both great athletes. My mom played five years of high school basketball and volleyball. My dad played college ball at a JUCO and then he played Division I at College of Charleston as a pitcher. He's helped us a lot with catching because he would tell us what he liked that his catchers did… Even when we were younger, my mom would always come throw Wiffle Balls to me and my brother in the front yard, and she would play catch with us when my dad was at work. She did a lot to help us. As we got older, Jack and I kind of took over. My dad, he was our coach growing up, too – for both of our teams, actually. My dad played a huge role in our development."
GS: When did you first start playing baseball?
CK: "I believe we started as young as we could possibly be. We were in the front yard with the big, yellow plastic bats. I didn't even know if I was left or right-handed. I just stood in the middle with my hands crossed and swung away. But then, my dad always tells this story, we were both right-handed hitters when we were super young, and he switched us around to lefties. He kind of forced us to become lefties, and this is when we're probably three or four years old. We've been doing it ever since."
GS: Tell us about your first experience with head coach John Anderson.
CK: "The first time I heard about Coach Anderson was when he was recruiting my brother, actually. I was fairly young, probably sixth or seventh grade. I never met him or talked to him, I just heard about him through Jack's recruiting process. The first time I talked to him was my freshman year. They were actually the first school that reached out to me. That was a very humbling experience. That's when it kind of clicked for me. When he met with me and my family, it was an instant hit, I thought. He preaches family first. Baseball is important, but we have a great culture here. We're going to set up your kid for the next 50 years of his life. That hit home with my mom and my dad. Their main thing was, we're going to set you up for success in your own life. But, I also believe that's what contributes to their on-field success, also. The great culture, and everyone's willing to play for him. He deserves all the credit in the world for what he's done for the Minnesota baseball program."
GS: What is your biggest strength as a catcher?
CK: "I would say my best trait would be receiving and framing. I believe that's my strong suit. Stealing strikes for our pitchers and helping keep things under control as a game manager, in a sense."
GS: How were you able to be such a consistent run producer in high school?
CK: "Honestly, I think it starts with my teammates and just my team in general. We had a very good team all throughout my high school career. There were always guys on base for me to drive in and we got plenty of at bats. We built a great culture for success because there were so many guys that wanted to move on and had the talent to move on. It all steamrolled."
GS: What is the most memorable moment of your career?
CK: "Playing at Target Field for the league championship when I was 14 years old. I think that's the one that has stuck with me the most. We've won plenty of state championships, too, when we were younger. Those were very fun to experience for both me and my brother. Those moments are awesome, but playing at Target Field, being with my dad as the coach and my brother was there, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
GS: Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?
CK: "I would say I'm more of a straight arrow kind of guy. Just show up and get to work. That's the only thing. I don't need anything specific, like always need to have PB&J or listen to this song."
GS: Who is your biggest inspiration or influence?
CK: "My family. My brother, my mom, my dad and my sister. They've been there since the very beginning. They're the ones who got me into it. The ones who when no one else is around, they're there to throw with me, hit with me – they're there for everything. My grandma, Shirley, has also been there for me, too. She's gone on flights with me to go to tournaments when my parents couldn't make it. She's driven me to games and practices. She's also been a very important figure in my life and been a rock for us."
GS: Who would play Cody Kelly in a Hollywood film?
CK: "I would love to say Leonardo DiCaprio. He's my favorite actor, but I probably wouldn't go with him to play me. I'd probably go with Tom Cruise or Kevin Costner. I'll go Tom Cruise."
GS: What is your favorite part about being a Gopher?
CK: "There are so many positives to it that it's hard to pick just one good one. Being close to home. Playing with my brother. Playing with my friends growing up. Being a part of a great culture, great organization, great baseball program. Being a part of one of the biggest schools up here in the north. There's so many."
GS: If you could be one teammate for a day, who would it be?
CK: "Ronald Sweeny. He wouldn't be a bad one. Gabe Knowles, too, because he's married. But I don't think I want to be married yet, so I'll go with Ronnie."
GS: What are your aspirations for after college ball?
CK: "I would like to play professional baseball and take that as far as it will allow me. I'm going to give it my all and see how far it takes me. If that doesn't work out, I'm majoring in finance as well. I would like to go into investments, or something to do with that. But my main goal is to see how far baseball takes me and give it a ride."
GS: What are your goals for your freshman season?
CK: "One of my personal goals is to get a hang of what the college baseball lifestyle is. What travel days are like, getting my feet wet. For a physical goal, I want to get as big as I can because I'm pretty skinny right now. I don't know my role yet, whether it's going to be a big one or a very small one, but I believe every role is important to the team's success. Whatever role I'm in, I'm going to do whatever I can to do it to the best of my ability to help the team be successful. Ultimately, we want to get to Omaha. That's everyone's goal, and whatever role mine is, I want to help the team get there."
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HIT & RUN WITH CODY
Major: financeFavorite athlete: Tom Brady Hobby: video games Class at the U: Macroeconomics Musical artist: Tenth Avenue North Book: The Legend Trilogy Movie: Interstellar TV show: Peaky Blinders Actor/actress: Leonardo DiCaprio Meal: chicken parmesan Biggest fear: being in open water Pet peeve: when people don't follow through on what they say Hidden talent: can solve Rubix cube in under one minute Person you'd like to meet: Matthew McConaughey Something you never leave home without: phone Dream vacation spot: backpacking through Europe TEAMMATE SUPERLATIVES
Best teammate nickname: Zack Elliott (smell)Personality in dugout: Bennett Theisen Hardest-working: Ronald Sweeny Most competitive: Drew Stahl Most studious: Jack Kelly Biggest prankster: Trent Schoeberl Breakout player: Jack Kelly Build the ultimate five-tool player: George Klassen (arm), Drew Stahl (glove), Jack Kelly (power), Zack Raabe (contact), Brett Bateman (speed) |
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