ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

ESPN: Merrill Kelly’s role in rotation a story to watch for D-backs

Feb 11, 2019, 4:36 PM

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)...

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Last season, the Diamondbacks rotation was relatively static throughout the majority of the year. Patrick Corbin was the ace at the top, Zack Greinke and Zack Godley anchored down the second and third spots, and the last two spots were usually filled by some combination of Robbie Ray, Clay Buchholz and Matt Koch.

Things have changed heading into 2019, though. Corbin and Buchholz are both not on the roster, with the former signing with the Nationals in December and the latter still remaining a free agent, which means Greinke, Ray and Godley will all take steps up the totem pole.

This also means that the bottom of the rotation will need filling out, a job that figures to be tasked to Merrill Kelly.

Kelly, a local product who attended Arizona State before being drafted by the Rays in 2010, spent the last four years of his career in the Korean Baseball Organization. While there, he was able to add significant velocity to his fastball, which ultimately helped him turn his career around.

The D-backs signed Kelly to a two-year contract in December because of this, and according to ESPN’s David Schoenfield, his return to the majors is one thing to watch for during Spring Training.

Who is Merrill Kelly? The D-backs are hoping to pull off a coup with Kelly, similar to what the Cardinals did last year when they plucked Miles Mikolas out of Japan. Kelly, a former Rays farmhand, spent the past four seasons pitching in Korea, and he will get a crack at replacing Patrick Corbin in the rotation.

Mikolas is the latest example of a player’s return to the majors from overseas being a success.

Last winter, the Cardinals signed Mikolas, who had last pitched in the majors in 2014, to a two-year deal after a very productive three-year stint in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League. He rewarded them in a big way, finishing sixth in the NL Cy Young voting after recording an 18-4 record with a 2.83 ERA in 32 starts.

The D-backs are hoping Kelly can pull off something similar, and if he can, it will deepen the team’s rotation significantly.

Despite this, Schoenfield doesn’t see much reason for D-backs fans to be optimistic about next season, mainly due to the departures of Corbin, Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock.

Level of excitement: 2. The franchise icon is gone. Corbin is gone. A.J. Pollock signed with a division rival. I’d say this will affect attendance, but the Diamondbacks seem to draw 2 million to 2.2 million no matter how good or bad the team plays.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

1 hour ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

2 hours ago

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

3 hours ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

3 hours ago

Manager Torey Lovullo speaks with Corbin Carroll...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable: Expectations, predictions for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks

What are the expectations for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks? Arizona Sports show hosts and editors make their predictions.

6 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks agree to TV, cable and satellite channel contracts

The Arizona Diamondbacks will air on linear TV channels as well as streams under an MLB-produced broadcast partnership in 2024.

9 hours ago

ESPN: Merrill Kelly’s role in rotation a story to watch for D-backs