Justin
Kelly

6/19/14 - 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed hitting catcher currently ranked No. 74 in Illinois’ 2015 class, No. 299 overall.  Large frame, extremely strong…hits from a wide balanced setup, with a short stride, and hands held high initially, dropping back and down to load.  Bad speed is evident, but cuts off finish at the end of swing with some stiffness, producing exit velocity up to 90 mph.  Defensively, throws from short, over the top arm action, reeling off pop times between 2.01-2.07 with accuracy on the bag.  Threw 76 mph from the crouch, and ran a 7.47 60.

2/16/14 6-foot-2, 190-pound strong, long limbed catcher with an athletic frame who projects very well. Offensively, he hits from balanced stance with a quiet load, short stride, and explosive lower half that maintains balance through contact. Swing is simple and repeatable, creates quality pop and lift. He consistently drove the ball on a line to all fields. Exit velocity off a tee was 88 mph. Behind the dish his arm works short, from over the top at 76 mph with accuracy and carry. Pop times were in the 2.07-2.14 range. Ran a 7.95 60.

1/20/13 - Long-limbed 6-foot-2, 190-pound catcher. Showed potential to be one of the better catchers in Illinois’ 2015 class. Demonstrated solid catching fundamentals. Registered pop times ranging between 2.08-2.11, all on the bag. Good direction, solid footwork. Clocked at 74 mph from the crouch. Offensively, showed pull power potential; ball jumps off bat with carry and loft. Barrel whips through the zone. Swing path can get long at times. Good extension after contact.  Ran a 7.82 60.

10/28/12 - Kelly is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound catcher. Kelly showed solid arm strength from the crouch at 73 mph, producing pop times in the range of 2.04-2.11. His arm plays well behind the plate using a short loose arm action from an over the top arm slot, while exhibiting carry and accuracy. Offensively, he showed some barrel awareness out of a balanced approach.