For years, Carson Kelly had been considered the catcher of the future for the St. Louis Cardinals. That future is now, but it will be with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Arizona Diamondbacks began their anticipated selloff in earnest on Wednesday, sending star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals. In exchange, the Diamondbacks received catcher Carson Kelly, pitcher Luke Weaver, minor league infielder Andy Young, and the Cardinals Round B compensation pick. For the now rebuilding Diamondbacks, that was the type of haul that could pay dividends for years to come.
This is a trade that will also benefit Kelly in particular. Considered not just one of the best catching prospects, but a consensus top 100 prospect for the past two years, Kelly was expected to be the Cardinals catcher of the future. However, that future was blocked by the immovable force that is Yadier Molina, who had been signed to a recent extension.
If Kelly was going to get regular playing time, he would have either been forced to remain in AAA, or a trade needed to happen. Kelly had certainly proven everything he needed to with the Memphis Redbirds, posting a .278/.373/.416 batting line, hitting 17 homers and 37 doubles in 755 plate appearances.
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While Kelly has had success at AAA, he has not had the same success at the major league level. In his three brief stints with the Cardinals, Kelly has posted a mediocre .154/.227/.188 batting line with only four extra base hits, all doubles, in his 131 plate appearances. In that time, he has drawn eight walks while striking out 20 times.
It is difficult to draw many conclusions from that performance. Kelly has yet to have more than 75 plate appearances in the majors, getting sporadic playing time due to the incredible durability of Molina. Being held out of the lineup, and being held in the minors, have kept Kelly from progressing.
Right now, Kelly does not have a lot of competition for playing time in Arizona. Alex Avila cratered last season, and is a backup at best at this point in his career. John Ryan Murphy had been a top prospect, but that time has passed. Carson Kelly has finally been liberated, and it is time for him to get his chance.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have freed Carson Kelly from the St. Louis Cardinals. If his time is ever going to come, it will be now.