Carson Kelly Bio
Carson Franklin Kelly is an American professional baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on July 14, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois, he was raised in Beaverton, Oregon. After a standout amateur career at Westview High School, Kelly was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the 2012 MLB draft, transitioning from a third base to a catcher role early in his career. He made his MLB debut in 2016 and became a well-regarded catcher, known for his defensive skills and ability to handle pitching staffs.
Early Life and Background
Carson Franklin Kelly was born on July 14, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, Mike and Traci, are Chicago natives, with Mike working as a Global Brand Marketing Director for Nike. Kelly grew up a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but his favorite player was Derek Jeter, who inspired him with his winning mentality. For most of his childhood, Kelly lived in Beaverton, Oregon, a suburb of Portland, although he and his family also briefly lived in Toronto when he was around 12 years old. At the age of four, Kelly began playing baseball and also played hockey during his time in Toronto. He attended Stoller Middle School and Westview High School in Beaverton, where he excelled as a star player for Westview’s baseball team, playing both infield and pitching. In 2011, during his junior year, he showcased his talent by participating in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, a national high school all-star game. He was named the Gatorade Oregon Player of the Year in both 2011 and 2012 and won gold medals in the 2011 World Youth Baseball Championship and an under-18 international tournament.
Path to Baseball
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Carson Kelly as a third baseman in the second round, 86th overall, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Although he had committed to the University of Oregon to play college baseball for the Oregon Ducks, he chose to sign with the Cardinals instead, receiving a $1.6 million signing bonus. Kelly began his professional career that year with the Johnson City Cardinals of the Rookie-level Appalachian League, where he batted .225 with nine home runs and 25 runs batted in (RBIs) in 56 games. In 2013, he was promoted to the Peoria Chiefs of the Single–A Midwest League but struggled, leading to a demotion to the State College Spikes of the Low–A New York–Penn League. In 113 games between the two clubs, he batted .257 with six home runs and 45 RBIs. During this time, Kelly and Gary LaRocque, the Cardinals’ director of player development, discussed transitioning him to the catcher position, believing it would enhance his value in the Cardinals’ system. He began this transition during the 2013–14 offseason. By the 2014 season, Baseball America ranked him as the 11th-best prospect for the Cardinals.
Carson Kelly Career
Early Career (2016-2018)
Carson Kelly made his MLB debut on September 5, 2016, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He hit a line drive double in his first at-bat and scored his first run as the Cardinals won 12–6. In 2016, he appeared in 10 games with St. Louis, batting .154 with one RBI. After the season, he was named the Cardinals’ Minor League Player of the Year and played in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .286 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 21 games. In 2017, Kelly was recalled to St. Louis and played as a backup to Yadier Molina. He had a notable game against the Chicago Cubs, hitting a two-RBI double. He spent the remainder of the season with the Cardinals, finishing with a .174 batting average in 34 games. In 2018, he was again promoted to the major leagues but faced injuries that limited his playing time.
Breakthrough (2019-2023)
On December 5, 2018, the Cardinals traded Kelly to the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he began to establish himself as a starting catcher. His first game with the Diamondbacks was on March 29, 2019, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he had a pinch-hit RBI in a record-setting game. In 2019, he batted .245 with 18 home runs and 47 RBIs, tying the Diamondbacks’ record for the most home runs hit by a catcher in a season. The 2020 season was impacted by COVID-19, but Kelly managed to play in a majority of games, batting .221 with five home runs and 19 RBIs. In 2021, he started strong but faced injuries that affected his performance. He played in 104 games during the 2022 season, finishing with a .211 batting average. In January 2023, he signed a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks but was later designated for assignment. In August 2023, Kelly signed a major league contract with the Detroit Tigers, where he played 60 games in 2024 before being traded to the Texas Rangers.
Notable Works and Milestones
Carson Kelly’s signature work includes his record-setting performance with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he tied the franchise record for home runs by a catcher in a season. He has been recognized for his defensive skills and has received accolades for his contributions to the teams he has played for.
Carson Kelly Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Carson Kelly has been recognized for his talents and contributions to the sport, particularly during his time in the minor leagues and as a key player for the teams he has represented.
Carson Kelly Awards Won
Carson Kelly has received various accolades during his career, including the 2015 minor leagues Rawlings Gold Glove Award for catchers, highlighting his defensive prowess behind the plate.
Carson Kelly Family
Carson Kelly is married to Eloise, and the couple tied the knot in 2020. His younger brother, Parker, played college baseball for the University of Oregon and was drafted by the Cardinals in the 20th round of the 2018 MLB draft.
Personal Life
In addition to his baseball career, Carson Kelly is an avid golfer and participated in the 2020 Waste Management Pro Am. He maintains a close relationship with his family, who have supported him throughout his career.
