Pittsburgh Pirates Call Up Hard-Throwing Prospect Antwone Kelly

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a significant move by calling up Antwone Kelly, their No. 7 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, from Triple-A Indianapolis. This decision comes as the Pirates look to bolster their bullpen, which currently holds a 4.44 ERA, ranking fourth worst in the National League. Although the team has yet to confirm the call-up, sources indicate that Kelly's performance has warranted this promotion. In 13 appearances with Indianapolis, Kelly posted a 4.50 ERA, but he showed improvement with a 3.28 ERA in his last 10 outings, transitioning to a bullpen role in his most recent games. Standing at 5-foot-10, Kelly is known for his impressive fastball, which averages around 97 mph and has exceeded 100 mph on 17 occasions this season. The 22-year-old right-hander previously represented Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, where he allowed only two runs in three innings. Kelly's journey began when he signed as an international free agent for $100,000 in 2021, and he has since demonstrated his potential with a 3.02 ERA and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings across his time in High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. As the Pirates integrate Kelly into their roster, fans will be eager to see how he can contribute to improving the team's pitching depth.