The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have announced the re-signing of infielder Scott Kelly for the 2017 season.
“I could not be more grateful to be playing again for Somerset,” said Kelly. “The opportunity to play for one of the best organizations and play in front of the greatest fans is what makes Somerset a truly special place. I look forward to getting back on the field and begin work on bringing that championship back home.”
Kelly enters his fourth season with the Somerset Patriots and fourth in the Atlantic League. Last year, Kelly appeared in a career-high 116 games and set career marks in hits (102), runs (66), doubles (17), RBI (30) and stolen bases (38) along with a .265 average. The 116 games ranked third on the Patriots last year, while the 38 steals led the team and ranked fourth overall in the Atlantic League.
The West Windsor, New Jersey native notched his first career home run during the regular season and followed it up with a dramatic walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game One of the Liberty Division Championship Series against the Long Island Ducks. Kelly went 8-18 (.444) in the 2016 postseason with the home run and a pair of doubles.
Kelly appeared in just 31 games due to injury in 2015, but still hit .337 with 10 RBI, 20 runs scored and seven stolen bases. Defensively, he made appearances at second base, third base and shortstop.
The versatile infielder began his minor league career with the Somerset Patriots in 2014 after earning an invitation to Spring Training from the team’s Open Tryouts. That year, he led the team in stolen bases (20) over his 92 games played.
“Scott wants to win and he wants to work harder than anybody to maximize that possibility,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “He brings an unbelievable love and passion for the game of baseball, his teammates and Somerset. Scott does a great job with his glove, causes many problems for opposing defenses with his speed and always puts together solid at-bats. It is an absolute pleasure to welcome back ‘206’ to our 2017 team.”
The 25-year old played his college ball at The College of New Jersey, where he hit .345 and .346 in his last two seasons, respectively. Additionally, he is the all-time leader at TCNJ in at-bats (663) and stolen bases (98), while ranking second in runs scored (165) and fourth in games played (161).
Kelly has hit .249 with 50 RBI, 118 runs and 65 stolen bases over 239 games in his three-year career with the Patriots.
Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary and the Atlantic League All-Star Game at TD Bank Ballpark, are on sale now. For more information, stop by TD Bank 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.
