Position: RHP
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 193 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
Born: 02/05/2003
High School: U-32 HS (Montpelier, VT)
How Acquired: Draft 4th Round, 102nd Overall, 2021
Bonus: $600,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
After going for several high-ceiling, and probably high-bonus, picks in the early rounds on day two, the Pirates picked Kellington in the fourth round. He went to a rural high school in Vermont, in an area that normally never sees baseball scouts. In fact, he’s now the second-highest-drafted player in state history. Kellington drew attention with a low-90s fastball and potentially good curve. Baseball America rated him 386th among draft prospects. He mostly faced weak competition and figured to be a project. Kellington had a commitment to the University of Connecticut, but he signed the day before the deadline for $600,000, a little over the slot value of $571,400. Kellington was the last player from the Pirates’ draft to sign. The bonus he received used up every remaining penny of their bonus pool.
By 2023, Kellington appeared to be evolving into a finesse pitcher who relied heavily on location and mixing his pitches. He threw an improving curve and change, while his fastball sat around 90 mph. He also throws a cutter and slider.
2021-22
Kellington didn’t pitch in his draft year. In 2022, he had a rough and brief debut. He pitched twice in June, coming out of the second game after facing just two batters. He missed over a month with a hamstring injury and struggled when he came back. After one very good outing, he had three terrible ones. It’s unclear whether the injury could have accounted for some of the trouble.
2023-24
Kellington spent the season with Bradenton, mostly in the rotation. He struggled early, but started pitching very well around mid-season. In the first half, he had 5.06 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. In the second half he improved to 2.95 and 1.22. He had trouble with walks, with a 5.6 BB/9 on the season, but his control improved in the second half. At times, the walks resulted from Kellington having trouble putting hitters away. He did finish, though, with a 10.1 K/9. Considering that he only threw ten innings in the FCL before 2023, it was a lot of progress.
Unfortunately, Kellington had Tommy John surgery in spring 2024. He’ll be out until some time in 2025.
Stats
Transactions
July 12, 2021: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 4th round, 102nd overall pick; signed on July 31.