Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Merrill Kelly was born October 14, 1988, in Houston, Texas. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

The Tampa Bay Rays selected Kelly in the eighth round (251st overall) of the 2010 MLB draft. Kelly advanced about one minor league level each season, beginning his career at Low-A in 2010 and reaching Triple-A for the first time in 2013. He split his first professional season between the Hudson Valley Renegades and the Bowling Green Hot Rods. He was 8-7 with a 3.28 ERA for the 2011 Charlotte Stone Crabs. He had an 8–3 record and a 3.57 ERA for the 2012 Montgomery Biscuits after being used primarily in relief. In 2013, he went 13–8 with 111 strikeouts and a 3.64 ERA in 28 games (26 starts) for the Biscuits and Triple-A Durham Bulls.

On December 4, 2018, the MLB Arizona Diamondbacks signed Kelly to a two-year major league contract. On April 1, 2019, Kelly made his major league debut in a start versus the San Diego Padres. He earned a win and recorded a quality start by totaling six innings while allowing three runs and striking out three.

On April 1, 2022, Kelly signed a two-year, $18 million contract extension with the Diamondbacks. He started the 2022 season with 15-inning scoreless streak, 3 short of the franchise record to begin a season.