Merrill Kelly (35), who became the ace of Arizona in the major leagues, played for KBO (Korean Professional Baseball) SK (now SSG) in the past. Because of this background, he is a player who knows the KBO and the major leagues better than anyone else.
Star News recently met Kelly at the PNC Park away team clubhouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA and asked, ‘From a scout’s point of view, pick a Korean player you would like to bring to the major leagues, especially the Arizona team.’메이저사이트
After thinking for a while, Kelly smiled and said, “It’s a very difficult question.” After a while, he replied, “First of all, we need to check our team’s circumstances to know which players we can scout, but the first thing that comes to mind is Kim Gwang-hyun (35, SSG).” She then expressed her affection for her former colleague, saying, “Kwang-hyun Kim already has experience playing in the major leagues, but if I can, I would like to bring him to our team and play with him again.”
Kelly also said, “While Kim Gwang-hyun was playing in the major leagues, I was impressed with his pitching.” He raised his thumb, saying, “A great pitcher who can lead as a .
Choi Jeong (36, SSG) was chosen as the second Korean player. Kelly said, “Currently, our team has a first baseman, Christian Walker (32), who can hit 30 home runs in a season, but if Choi Jeong joins the team, he also has the ability to produce as many home runs as Walker.” If Choi Jeong comes, it can be a great help to our team’s batting line.”
The last Korean player Kelly wanted to scout was Lee Jeong-hoo (25, Kiwoom). Kelly said, “I know Lee Jung-hoo when I play in Korea,” and “Just as Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego) entered the major leagues and made an impressive performance, Lee Jung-hoo is also an outstanding player who can perform well if he comes to the major leagues.” Evaluated.
Kelly at SK. /Photo=OSEN
Born in Texas, USA, and raised in Arizona, Kelly was selected by Tampa Bay in the 8th round (251st overall) of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft and entered the professional league. In 2014, he was invited to the major league spring camp and competed for the opening game roster, but failed to achieve his goal, so he chose to go to Korea at the age of 26.
Kelly, who played 4 seasons (2015-2018) in the KBO League, recorded a career record of 48 wins and 32 losses with an average ERA of 3.86, and contributed to SK winning the Korean Series in 2018.
In December 2018, he signed a contract with Arizona, his current team, and achieved his dream of debuting in the major leagues. This season, as of the 25th (Korean time), he started 10 games and posted an outstanding record of 5 wins and 3 losses with an earned run average of 2.98. He ranks second on the team in both wins and earned run average behind Jack Gallon (6-2, 2.97 earned run average).