Somerset Patriots Pitcher Ryan Kelly’s Contract Purchased By Mariners

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have announced that right-handed pitcher Ryan Kelly’s contract has been purchased by the Seattle Mariners organization. He will report directly to Triple-A Tacoma.

Kelly had carried a 1-0 record with a 2.00 ERA and three saves in 10 appearances with the Somerset Patriots in 2017. Additionally, the righty had struck out 16 batters against just four walks in nine innings of work.

Kelly entered his first season with the Patriots and first in the Atlantic League. The 6’2” reliever appeared in 17 games with the Atlanta Braves in 2015, and struck out 10 batters over 16.2 innings of work. Kelly earned his 2015 promotion after he posted a 3-1 record with a 0.95 ERA and 13 saves in 24 appearances with Triple-A Gwinnett earlier that season. Additionally, Kelly began the 2015 campaign with Double-A Mississippi where he recorded nine saves and tossed 17.2 innings without allowing an earned run (0.00 ERA).

The Blufton, South Carolina resident began his professional career in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Kelly spent his first four seasons with the Pirates before he was traded three times during his fifth season, eventually landing with the San Diego Padres. There, he earned a promotion to Triple-A Tucson in both 2012 and 2013 after he posted a 4-1 record with a 2.66 ERA over 39 relief appearances with Double-A San Antonio in 2012.

The Walters State Community College alumnus spent the majority of his 2016 season with Vaqueros Laguna in the Mexican League. He owned a 22-22 record with a 3.85 ERA and 57 saves in 289 games in the minors over his nine-year career entering 2017, including a combined 2.73 ERA over 44 games at the Triple-A level.

Kelly is the fifth Somerset Patriot to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization this season. Left-handed pitchers Jeremy Bleich and Logan Darnell both went to the Los Angeles Dodgers, right-handed pitcher Tyler Cloyd joined the Seattle Mariners and southpaw Aaron Laffey went to the Arizona Diamondback. All five were assigned to Triple-A.

In other team news, outfielder Darren Ford has been placed on the disabled list and will be out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. TD Bank Ballpark will be the host of the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey on Wednesday, July 12^th. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.

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