Kevin Kelly

Kevin Keary Kelly (born May 27, 1990) is a Dutch-Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He played college baseball at Western Oklahoma State College and Southwestern Oklahoma State University and has played professionally in the Netherlands, Italy, and Mexico. He has pitched for the Netherlands national team in events beginning in 2010.

Career

Neptunus Kelly pitched for the Honkbal Hoofdklaase club Neptunus in Rotterdam from 2014–2017 and 2019–2023. He has a 19–7 win–loss record and 24 saves in 250 innings pitched. In 15 games for the club, he compiled a 1.72 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 3 saves across innings pitched.

Sultanes de Monterrey On April 17, 2024, Kelly signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. On May 31, Kelly threw a no-hitter against the Pericos de Puebla, striking out three as Monterrey won 12–0. In 16 games (11 starts) for the Sultanes, he compiled a 1–3 record and 4.67 ERA with 39 strikeouts across 52 innings pitched. Kelly was released by the team on September 23.

Dorados de Chihuahua On October 14, 2024, Kelly signed with the Dorados de Chihuahua of the Mexican League. Kelly made 19 appearances (three starts) for Chihuahua in 2025, logging a 3–3 record and 9.47 ERA with 20 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Caliente de Durango On July 11, 2025, Kelly signed with the Caliente de Durango of the Mexican League. In six appearances (two starts) for Durango, he struggled to an 8.49 ERA with 13 strikeouts across innings pitched.

International career Kelly has played for the Netherlands national baseball team in several international tournaments, beginning with the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games. He has also played in the 2011 World Port Tournament, 2013 World Port Tournament, 2014 Haarlem Baseball Week, 2015 World Port Tournament 2016 exhibition games against Japan, and 2017 World Baseball Classic. He also played for the Netherlands in the 2019 European Baseball Championship, Africa/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament in September 2019, 2019 WBSC Premier12, and 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Kelly was named the best pitcher of the 2025 European Championship, following his inning, 16-strikeout relief appearance in a win over defending champion Spain in the semifinals. He had two saves earlier in the tournament.