Don Kelly, Infield


Date of Birth: 2/15/1980
Birthplace: Butler, Pennsylvania
College: Point Park University

Don Kelly, infielder, was first drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2001. He played in the Tigers' minor league system from 2001 through 2006, never getting the chance to play with the team. He became a free agent after the 2006 season and he signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in December, 2006. He continued to play in the minor leagues, joining the Pirates in 2007 for just 25 games.

Kelly became a free agent again in 2008 and he signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played only in the minor leagues while with the Diamondbacks.

In 2009, Kelly returned to the Tigers on a minor league contract. That season, he played in just 31 games with the Tigers. In 2010, Kelly played in 119 games with the Tigers, batting .244 with 58 hits. The next year, he had similar numbers with 63 hits in 113 games. In 2012, he was sent back to the minors, playing in just 75 games with the Tigers.

Kelly again became a free agent after the 2012 season and in January, 2013, he signed another minor league contract with the Tigers. In 2013, he batted .222 with 48 hits in 112 games. Defensively, he was a utility player for the Tigers, playing at first base, second base, third base, and all three outfield positions.

Kelly signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Tigers after the 2013 season ended. He finished the 2014 season with 40 hits and a .245 batting average in 95 games. He fared better in the postseason, batting .500 with one hit in two at-bats in two games.

Kelly signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on January 18, 2015. He spent most of the 2015 season on the DL, playing in just two games with the Marlins and 12 games in the minors. He had a fractured finger in April and his season ended in mid-July when he had Tommy John surgery. He signed a new minor league contract with the team on February 3, 2016.

Kelly spent most of the 2016 season in the minors, playing in just 13 games with the Marlins.

Kelly became a free agent on October 4, 2016. He hasn't played professional baseball since 2016.

Kelly was a scout for the Detroit Tigers in 2018. He was the first base coach for the Houston Astros in 2019. On December 7, 2019, he agreed to become the bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Career batting statistics for Kelly through 2016 include:

  • 585 games played
  • 252 hits
  • 98 RBIs
  • 171 strikeouts to 92 walks
  • .230 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Kelly as an infielder through 2016 include:

  • 100 games played at first base, 9 games played at second base, 131 games played at third base, 5 games played at shortstop
  • 203 assists
  • 72 double plays
  • 444 putouts
  • 11 errors

Career fielding statistics for Kelly as an outfielder through 2016 include:

  • 165 games played in left field, 55 games played in center field, 112 games played in right field
  • 376 putouts
  • 6 errors

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Don Kelly
ESPN - Don Kelly