On this week’s episode of the Fenway Rundown podcast, Red Sox reliever Zack Kelly joins the show to reflect on his first taste of the major league action. Kelly discusses facing Aaron Judge, his favorite parts of the major league lifestyle and his expectations for himself heading into 2023. He also raves about teammates and fellow rookies Brayan Bello and Triston Casas and admits he’s locked into all the rumors surrounding the Red Sox this winter .
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Here are some highlights:
Kelly on how impressed he has been with Red Sox starter Brayan Bello:
“It’s unbelievable. I don’t know exactly what the analytics are on it, but just watching it and seeing how the ball moves… it shouldn’t be moving the way it does. For him to be so young, it’s just unbelievable. And it’s so effortless. He’s definitely one of the better arms at that age, and just in general, I’ve seen in quite a while coming up through the system.”
Kelly on his goals for spring training in 2023:
“Last year, my goal going into big league camp as a non-roster guy was trying to make the team. Obviously, we know that didn’t happen but the mindset for this year is the same thing. I want to go in and try to make the team. It’s nicer to have some experience but it’s the same goal, to go in and try to compete, command the zone, get outs and be efficient and try to make the team… I know it’s kind of cliché. It’s really the only thing I can control and you try not to worry about what you can’t control.
“The plus side with having that experience is that it kind of shows what I need to work on a little bit more, whether it’s certain consistencies with certain movements on certain pitches or trying to command different parts of the zone a little bit better than I have been Having that is definitely beneficial.”