NOTICE: The January 15th meeting is on schedule and will start at the normal time.
Zack Kelly
ZACK KELLY from the Boston Red Sox!
Zack Kelly graduated from Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, Virginia. He played college baseball in NCAA Division II for the Concord Mountain Lions as a starting pitcher in 2014. After his sophomore year, Kelly transferred to Newberry College, to play for the Division II Newberry Wolves. As a senior in 2017, Kelly had a 3.72 earned run average (ERA) and recorded 94 strikeouts.
On January 4, 2021, Kelly signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox organization. He spent the year playing for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. In 2022, the Red Sox invited Kelly to spring training as a non-roster player and he returned to Worcester for the beginning of the season. Kelly made his MLB debut on August 29 against the Minnesota Twins. In 13 relief appearances with Boston, Kelly pitched to a 1–0 record with 3.95 ERA while striking out 11 batters in 13
Kelly was the 2022 recipient of the Lou Gorman Award issued by the Red Sox organization.
Kelly began the 2023 season in Boston's bullpen but was placed on the injured list on April 13 due to right elbow inflammation. On May 3, it was announced that Kelly would miss roughly four months after undergoing a successful ulnar nerve transposition revision in his right elbow. He was activated from the injured list on September 24, and successfully pitched for the Red Sox after going 166 days between major-league appearances.
Also, we’ll welcome Special Guest Grant Smithers to speak about the February 2024 Adam Ward Basketball Classic. The event is being sponsored by various businesses and organizations throughout the Roanoke Valley. The majority of the proceeds from the event will go to the Adam Ward Scholarship Fund that is administered by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association. To date, the Adam Ward Classic has contributed over $50,000 dollars to the Adam Ward Scholarship Fund. In addition, the Adam Ward Classic Committee will be making donations to the Make a Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics in Adam’s honor.