Collegiate Times

One of the top prospects in the Boston Red Sox organization has joined the Salem Red Sox.

Casey Kelly, the 30th overall pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, was the first pick for the Red Sox in the draft. He is known as a dual threat player, excelling at both shortstop and pitcher at Florida's Sarasota High School.

So far, the Red Sox organization has not made a decision on his permanent position. Kelly has worked as a starting pitcher this year, and made his first start for Salem on Saturday.

However, once Kelly reaches 90 innings pitched for the season, he will transition into the lineup as a shortstop. He has already pitched 54 innings, most of them for the Red Sox' low class-A team, the Greenville Drive.

In nine starts for Greenville, Kelly logged a 6-1 record and an ERA of 1.12. He struck out 39 batters while only walking nine. He gave up only 32 hits and no home runs.

Kelly's first start in Salem was plagued by poor defense. The Frederick Keys, an Orioles affiliate, scored 8 runs over five and two-thirds innings. However, only three of the runs were earned.

Kelly struck out four while walking one. However, he did allow his first home run of the year.

After completing his pitching season, Kelly will have a chance to show off his bat. In only 32 at-bats in the short-season New York Penn League, Kelly hit .344.

Kelly is ranked as the 6th best prospect in the Red Sox organization. His $3 million signing bonus is the largest in Red Sox history for a rookie out of the draft.