Finished the season with an eight-game on-base streak; hit safely in seven of those eight to raise his season batting average from .188 to .286
Made his first career start at second base on 2/27/23, third base on 4/15/23, shortstop on 4/16/23, designated hitter on 5/20/23
HIGH SCHOOL
Played four years of baseball at Blue Valley Southwest High School
Helped his team win two state championships, one Eastern Kansas League Championship and two regional championships
All-State Second Team selection
2x All-State Honorable Mention
All-EKL Second Team selection
2x All-EKL Honorable Mention
Hit .367 in his four-year high school career
Served as a senior team captain
Started the state championship game in 2022 on the mound and threw 5.0 innings before moving to third base to finish out the game; also made the game winning catch and had 2 hits
Received the 2022 Golden Glove award
Ranked the No. 2 shortstop and No. 5 overall prospect in the state of Kansas by Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report in 2022
Also played three years of basketball
Principal Academic Roll all four years
Played club ball for the Kansas City Royals Scout team
PERSONAL
Son of Chad and Michelle Kelly
Has one older sister, Madeline
His father, Chad, played baseball at Avila University
His mother, Michelle, father, Chad, and grandfather, James, all attended KU
Committed in April 2020
Picked Kansas over Illinois, Nebraska, Liberty, Southern California and Arizona
Chose Kansas because, “I truly felt like it was home to me as soon as I stepped on campus. Ever since I was a kid, I have grown up coming to Hoglund Ballpark and Allen Fieldhouse. I knew that If I got the opportunity to play baseball here it would be the perfect fit, and I have been blessed to pursue that dream.
Teammates with Karter Muck, Jackson Kline and Chase Jans previously
Born on leap day
Plans to makes his way into the business side of sports after baseball