Pittsburgh Pirates: Checking in on the 2021 Prep Pitchers

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The Pittsburgh Pirates assigned Owen Kellington to the Florida Complex League for the start of his 2022 season. The Vermont native has had to wait over a year to make his Organizational debut. The team did not give the 6’3” pitcher any game action in 2021.  So this would be the first look at the over-slot draftee.

Things have not gotten off to the best start for Kellington.  He has only appeared in four games so far. One reason is that the Complex Leagues do not start until June,  He also spent most of the month of July on the Injured List.

So far Kellington owns an ERA of 11.81 through just 5.1 innings of work.  In those 5.1 innings, he has given up 7 earned runs.  The good news is that he also struck out 10 batters.  This is good for a 35% rate, which is extremely good to see.  His walk rate is 14%, which is a little high but also expected for a young pitcher and not out of control by any means.

Kellington missed most of July after being placed on the Injury list at the beginning of the month.  Kellington returned from the injury (not reported) and has pitched twice since.  Hopefully, now he can start to find some consistency on the mound.