D-backs catcher Carson Kelly makes list of top 25 players under 25 in MLB

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly is starting to establish himself as the everyday catcher.

Kelly, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Paul Goldschmidt trade, is getting more time behind the plate than he got in St. Louis.

That playing time has resulted in a career high in almost every offensive category.

That’s why ESPN’s Keith Law ranks Kelly 16th on his list of top 25 players under the age of 25 in MLB.

16. Carson Kelly (24): Kelly just needed to play, and now that he’s getting that opportunity, he’s making the most of it, driving the ball more than ever before, receiving and framing well, and throwing out 36% of potential base stealers. I do think he’s a disciplined hitter, but keep in mind that his walk rate has been aided by batting eighth in the Arizona lineup most of the season.

With the Cardinals, Kelly was called up at the age of 21 to play backup catcher behind nine-time All-Star Yadier Molina.

It was difficult to get any playing time with Molina as the everyday catcher and still productive in his mid-30s.

From 2016 to 2018, Kelly only had 131 plate appearances and was hitting .154 with zero home runs.

In 2018, Kelly was ranked as MLB.com’s No. 2 catching prospect in baseball only behind Francisco Mejia.

With Molina set the retire after the 2020 season, it made sense for Kelly to take over as the No. 1 catcher in 2021.

However, St. Louis couldn’t wait and when they traded him to the D-backs, it was clear that Kelly was going to get his chance in Arizona.

So far, Kelly has made 40 starts while batting .270 with an OPS of .882 and nine home runs in 181 plate appearances.

With half the season still remaining, the 24-year-old is expected to contribute even more as he continues to get more starts behind the plate.