Casey Kelly didn’t need to think long Thursday about his future athletic career once the Boston Red Sox selected him with the 30th overall pick in the first round of baseball’s amateur draft.
“They picked me in the first round so I’ll probably be wearing a Red Sox uniform,” the Sarasota (Fla.) High School star said just minutes after the pick was announced.
Kelly said Boston has already told his family that it is comfortable with a set of financial parameters that was floated to baseball executives before the draft.
“They knew the price was going to be a little higher because of football,” the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Kelly said.
Kelly signed with Tennessee to play quarterback in February. Barring an unforeseen snag in the negotiations, his arrival in Knoxville seems very unlikely.
A possible snag could arise from Kelly’s future position, claimed Pat Kelly, Casey’s father and a minor league manager.
“They (the Red Sox) like him better as a pitcher but they want to give him a chance to play shortstop,” Pat Kelly said. “He doesn’t want to pitch. I think that’s going to be a big part of the negotiations.”
The Red Sox believe his talent was too good to pass up.
“You can hear the passion in his voice when he talks about baseball,” Boston general manager Theo Epstein told the Associated Press. “We wouldn’t have taken him if we didn’t feel in our hearts like he wanted to go out and play professional ball.”
Kelly hit .473 with five homers and 31 RBIs this season. The right-hander also pitched in 12 games, going 8-1 with a 1.16 ERA and two saves. He had 77 strikeouts and 12 walks in 66 innings.
Jason McLeod, Boston’s director of amateur scouting, told the AP that Kelly will wind up a pitcher rather than a shortstop.
“We’re talking about one of the better athletes in the draft,” McLeod said. “He could move quick through the minor league system if we can get him signed.”
The Kellys gambled by floating out the necessary financial parameters before the draft. Teams that couldn’t afford Kelly wouldn’t consider picking him. That’s why the Red Sox and New York Yankees, with the two highest payrolls in the majors, were considered two of Kelly’s most likely candidates.
Kelly worked out for the Yankees on Wednesday, but New York selected right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole from Lutheran High in Orange, Calif., with the 28th pick.
Kelly was sliding down the draft board until being picked with the last pick of the first round. Kelly was projected by various media to fall in one of three spots in the first round: No. 7 to the Cincinnati Reds, No. 19 to the Chicago Cubs or No. 21 to the Detroit Tigers.
But instead of choosing Kelly, those three clubs decided to pick college prospects.
The Reds picked first baseman Yonder Alonso from Miami. The Cubs chose right-handed pitcher Andrew Cashner from Texas Christian. The Tigers selected right-handed pitcher Ryan Perry from Arizona.
“I think that’s probably why he slipped,” Pat Kelly said, referring to the family’s financial requests. “He feels like he should be compensated if he does give up football.”
Perhaps negotiating via the media, Pat Kelly claimed football is still a possibility.
“I don’t think he’s going to be an easy sign,” he said. “I don’t think a lot of people realize how serious he is about football.”
Pat Kelly said he’s not concerned with MLB’s Aug. 15 deadline to sign players drafted on Thursday. Instead, Pat Kelly said he wants a contract signed before July. Otherwise, his son could enroll at UT for the second session of summer school.
That seems unlikely. Once a player enrolls in college, he cannot sign a professional baseball contract for three years. However, the threat of playing football at UT is at least leverage for the Kellys as they negotiate with the Red Sox.
An excited Casey Kelly wasn’t worried about leverage as friends and family celebrated around him as he spoke via telephone to the News Sentinel.
Kelly just seemed ready to begin his baseball career as soon as possible. That can begin once he signs that professional contract.
“Hopefully,” Kelly said, “we can get it done soon.”
Kelly’s omission from the 2008 class creates a void at quarterback. Expect UT to try to land a high-profile quarterback, if not two, for the 2009 class.
Getting Bully: Offensive lineman Alex Bullard from Brentwood Academy will announce his college decision on Friday at an 11 a.m. EDT.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder is considering UT, Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oklahoma.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 63
cmoore7 writes:
If CK could play point guard, he could be field/floor general for each of the Big 3 sports at UT.
bshone#598776 writes:
Because I am unaware of how baseball drafts work, could it be the case that Kelly signs with UT - plays football and baseball for a year - and then is drafted in the first round of the MLB draft next year?
utchris writes:
NO, he would have to stay at least 2 years
Hunter writes:
No, he has to stay 3 years if I remember correctly. Seems like that was the deal with Luke Hochevar and James Adkins.
Hunter writes:
No, he has to stay 3 years if I remember correctly. Seems like that was the deal with Luke Hochevar and James Adkins.
GreerVol22 writes:
80 pounds and he could play DL.
FishTacos writes:
A player must be 18 or if he chooses to go to college he must be 21 years old. Which is usually after the junior year of college. So if a player is good enough he can get drafted out of high school at age 18. If he dicides to go to college he must wait until he turns 21 to get drafted again.
bobbarbilly writes:
" There's the snap...Kelly drops back...receiver comes open in the end zone... GIVE HIM SIX !!!"
99gator writes:
kelly to the bosox.....last pick of the 1st round.
utchris writes:
My apologies. Hunter is correct. If you attend a 4 year university, then you have to stay 3 years or turn 21. If you go to Junior college, you can make the leap whenever.
utchris writes:
Kelly just went to Boston with the last pick of the first round. phooey
GreerVol22 writes:
Bo-Sox, well there you are, signing bonus and I can go watch him here in Greenville SC.
ncvol writes:
well, our lost for sure. Best of luck Casey.
Go Vols!
Einstein writes:
Once Casey Kelly attends his first class at Tennessee, assuming he does not sign to play baseball before that, he cannot sign to play professional baseball until after his junior year at Tennessee. In theory, he could sign now and play baseball and still go to Tennessee. However, I would expect that if this was to happen that Boston would put a clause in his contract to forbid him playing college football.
Going this late in the first round makes me believe that he will be at Tennessee for at least the next 3 years.
moose_47 writes:
I HATE THE RED SOX!!! Once again, that god forsaken franchise has kicked me in the junk. Maybe Kelly has the same attitude that I have about Boston and will give them the finger. Be a Vol, Casey!
surfmaster writes:
Red Sox have deep pockets. Bye Bye Casey.
gainesville_vol writes:
I believe if you go the JUCO route, you must stay 2 years. If you transfer to a 4 year school after one or two years, you now must wait until 3 years after you graduate high school
IBleedOrange444 writes:
He said it was all about getting drafted by the right team. I would say that the Red Sox is a great organization to get drafted by. I wonder how this will impact his decision as well as slipping to 30th pick and how that will effect his gauranteed money.
Einstein writes:
He will not go the JUCO route.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
"Kelly says he'll 'probably be wearing Red Sox unifrom'"
What's a uni and exactly where is it from?
TommyJack writes:
A VERY long-shot from the get-go, IMO. From a baseball family...I'd guess he never seriously considered anything but baseball.
MrBamSeydu writes:
oh well, I didn't see him being more than an average QB anyway. i'll take my chances with BJ and an '09 prospect for our future after Crompton.
thesavageorange writes:
Good luck Kelly.When you have the winning lotto ticket you don't stick it in you're wallet and turn it in later.
This will open up a scholorship as well.Not that I wouldn't want him in orange ,but there are more pressing needs.
volroadwarrior writes:
yemmusdarb-You are exactly right. He might be a good QB, but many more are out there and are more likely to pick UT if Kelly is not on the roster. I think he used football as a bargaining chip. If he did, it might have backfired. Get a stud DT and forget about him.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Godspeed lad, moolah makes the world go round.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Good for him. Now, we can focus on getting a top QB recruit from this class. I hear that we've already been working hard at that one and we are in the running for some top QBs.
DSaVol writes:
What's all the commotion about???? Given that the last recruiting class was lousy at best, ole FOOLMORE should have PLENTY of salary cap space to keep this kid away from the BoSox!
Of course IF he wants to win championships he should definitely take whatever money is flowing from Beantown cause ain't nothin' but another PERFECT STORM blowing in Ktown!
utchris writes:
Gainesville_vol:
According to the MLB website, it says that you can leave a JUCO after one season.
Wish this kid the best of luck. ANyway we can get BP to call this kid up and use his charm to woo this kid back? Oh well, Lets go find another QB of the future.
dcvolfan98 writes:
No surprise here about Casey Kelly. I say take the money now. Lots can happen in three years like injury, ineffectiveness at the college level, or a potential rookie salary cap. (Not sure when MLB's collective bargaining agreement ends, but I see all the major sports implementing a rookie cap in the not-too-distant future.) Good luck Casey.
FWBVol writes:
I've covered junior college baseball for several years and yes, a junior college player can be drafted after their freshman and sophomore years. An example of that is a kid named Ryan Chaffee from Niceville, Fla., he was drafted in the 43rd round by the Braves after his freshman year, and then in the second round by the Angels this year. Hopefully the kid will sign with the Angels as he has signed with LSU.
If Kelly were to attend UT and not play football the eligibility clock would start ticking any way. The NCAA requires a player complete his four years of athletic eligibility in any sport in five years. That's why Stanley Asumu (sp) only had one year of football eligibility after finishing his basketball career with the Vols.
And once again, the real fools show there colors by taking pot shots at our head football coach.
NorCalVol writes:
I think this works out to our advantage. Top QB recruits who want to have an NFL future and not go to a place running spread offense ought to see UT as a good prospect with very little competition at QB. Too bad there aren't any more Mannings, but thank God there aren't any more Clausens either!
invisiblekid writes:
Good luck to Kelly from a lifelong Red Sox fan. If he is as good as advertised, he should have a good chance to move up quickly at shortstop. The position has been a revolving door for the team for several years and Lugo has been downright brutal this year. In addition, the life expectancy in a pro baseball career is much longer than football.
Suprised he isn't getting bashed for this comment however: “They knew the price was going to be a little higher because of football,” the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Kelly said. Personally, I can't blame him a bit for playing the football scholarship angle.
Colliervol writes:
Enjoy Pawtucket.
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
I don't want a player that's on the fence about what sport he wants to play. This guy's name isn't Bo Jackson, so I don't care to have to cheer for him. Let's get a star player that wants to play some Vol ball, not one that might do this or might do that.
snowvol writes:
UT is a great spot for a blue-chip football star. But being drafted by the Red Sox -- there's not a better organization in MLB right now -- is as good as it gets for a young player coming into the league. Hard to argue his decision.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Along football lines- ck out tennessean.com-SEC Coaches rated on "hot seats".
Safest (1 flame) - Miles & Myers
Hottest (4 flames) Brooks and ______....
Some interesting takes, will rile some.
Free Gen Fritter!
hcjournals#206623 writes:
We just got used. He worked the football leverage to get a better deal. His father is obviously a jackass, and he is teaching his son. Look how many times he mentions negotiating in the article. We are very lucky not to have this loser.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
My understanding from a friend of a cousin who knows the trainer back in 1985 said that Kelly was supposed to put on 80 pounds and become a DT. He chose BB instead.
Free General Fritter, Dupree and TDTN
GerryOP writes:
Shocking pdhuff, absolutely shocking. What in tarnation are those fool writers over in Nashville thinking?
Isn't it amazing that when the emotion is removed from the Coach Fulmer issue the same facts keep popping up? Slippage in the program, no SEC championships, no BCS bowls, Florida and Alabama. All spin.....
Guess you Fulmerites can add David Climer to the list of columnists that you are no longer going to read.
If we make it through September ....
bobbarbilly writes:
His close encounter with greatness lost forever. I too could have signed right out of high school. For $500 dollars. My parents didn't have that kind of money.
Greyback_Vol writes:
You could see this coming. In the long run it will probably work to UT's advantage in landing a big-time QB.
I heard Alex Bullard is choosing Notre Dame. Has anyone heard anything else?
Volgrad777 writes:
Damn Red Sox couldnt have gone more pick higher and fallen into the second round and we probably wouldnt be talking about this , 2nd Round=hes a Vol
waterskier3#226480 writes:
so does this take our recruiting class from 30 range to what????????? GO VOLS!!!!
so who gets the scholarship they saved??? any they can offer i.e. juco DL???
tigervol9802 writes:
Ashley - according to WIVK in Knoxville, the flagship station of the Vols, it's 87 days until football time in Tennessee.
I hate all Boston sports teams. If that city collapsed in that stupid tunnel, I don't know if I would lose one second sleep.
TommyJack writes:
hcjournals 8:00 Don't know if we were the user or the uzee. It was never any secret that the kid's dad was a former major league players. Seemed to me the kid would roll the same way.
If, and it's a big IF, we got used, then shame on us. Another big IF...if we lost another QB because we got a committment out of Kelly, then shame on us again. Our recruiting staff is supposed to be top-notch. Seems to me that took a shot right to the grill here.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff, it is only on the far side of the doldrums that Phil will send his mighty hoard out to slay the Bruins. It will be as the immortal W. C., said, "I took an assagai and cut my way thru a wall of human flesh".
I think a koolade and sunshine-piping booth would do real well by the Rose Bowl pre-game on Aug 30.
I did miss on my prediction that Bullard would be our 128th straight offensive signee.
Dang!
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
tigervol9802 said:
"If that city collapsed in that stupid tunnel, I don't know if I would lose one second sleep."
I bet if it happened as soon as you posted this, you would've felt a little weird about it. Besides, I have a real good friend up there in law school right now, at least let him get out before it goes tumbling down!
Go Vols!
TommyJack writes:
Boycott Climer: The loser/poser/commie/bedwetter/bamaboy. Will never read him again. The nerve.
TommyJack writes:
Geoff: Zager & Evans. One hit wonders. Sort of like......nevermind.
jasvol writes:
My vote is for tngeoff's post at 12:43pm!!!!!!!California dreamin.
Oh...were not voting on anything? hey, work like heck.
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