Source: Pirates Recalling Pitching Prospect Antwone Kelly From Triple-A Indianapolis
The Pirates are recalling right-handed pitching prospect Antwone Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis, a source confirmed to Pittsburgh Baseball Now. Kelly is considered the organization’s seventh-best prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Kelly was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old made 13 appearances/10 starts with Indianapolis to begin the season and went 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA. He totaled 54 innings, allowed 56 hits, issued 24 walks and struck out 47.
It was a slow start to the season for Kelly, who had a 6.38 ERA through the end of April. But the right-hander went 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA in five May starts, and he combined for five-scoreless innings between two relief appearances in June.
A native of Aruba, Kelly signed with the Pirates as an international free agent in 2021. In parts of six minor league seasons across six levels, the 22-year-old is 13-17 with a 3.61 ERA in 90 appearances/67 starts. He’s recorded 349 strikeouts in 334.1 innings.
To make room for Kelly on the active roster, the Pirates are optioning rookie right-hander Brandan Bidois to Indianapolis. Bidois made 12 relief appearances with Pittsburgh after he was recalled on May 12 and allowed 11 runs (six earned) in 13.1 innings.
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