4 minute read
From Panther to Professional
From Panther to Professional
Kevin Kelly ’16 is pitching for MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays
Q&A by Charles Thom ’25
St. Paul VI Catholic High School has a strong athletic history, with many alumni going on to college sports, and even a few alumni continuing sports at a professional level. One standout is Kevin Kelly ’16, who is competing in Major League Baseball and pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays. Kevin played for PVI throughout his high school career, always making the playoffs, and even competing in the finals his senior year. We reached out to Kevin to explore how his time at PVI shaped him as a person and professional athlete.
How did you get started in baseball?
I started playing baseball at a young age in the backyard. My first memory of it is when I was three, but I think my parents have a video of me playing when I was two. My dad is a huge baseball fan, so he got me into it early on. I always loved playing the game and have been fascinated by it since I first started playing.
How did you stay motivated in the sport when things were challenging?
I was able to stay motivated with help from my dad mostly. He was always ready to go outside and throw me batting practice if I had a bad game or throw an extra bullpen to him if I pitched poorly, allowing me to get that instant training feedback that I needed. Additionally, I had plenty of coaches along the way to help me. They ensured I was always put in the best place to succeed and helped me keep a positive mentality, even when things were going poorly.
What differentiates you from other players?
The major thing that differentiates me from other players is my arm slot. I release the ball from a low three-quarters arm slot that isn’t very common and I also throw a bit slower than most other pitchers as well, so I rely on sinkers to keep hitters from barreling the ball and throw a big sweeper that keeps hitters off balance.
What advice would you give your high school self today?
If I had to give my high school self advice today, I would say to focus hard on working off the baseball field, mainly nutritionally and in weight training. Nutrition and weightlifting were the two biggest things that took me from a good Division 1 pitcher to a professional baseball player.
Are there any habits that you learned in school that you can attribute your success to?
I think the biggest habit I learned in school was the importance of having a consistent daily routine. Every day I had to be sure I had all my homework for the next day done, be sure I had a clean uniform for the next day, and that I was prepared for any tests I had, among other things. Having a consistent routine every day helped me prepare for the real world where it’s on you to make sure you’re ready to face the day. Having consistent routines applies to sports as well, as most development in athletics happens with consistent iteration each day, not in short spurts of massive improvement.
How has going to a Catholic school affected you today?
I think the education and discipline taught at Paul VI helped me to be a better person. Although I am not Catholic, PVI gave me another perspective early in life of how to conduct myself and how to help others.
How did the PVI community influence you or help you get to where you are today?
PVI influenced me greatly, from lifelong friends to education to athletics. My fiancée and best man both went to PVI, and we all met in high school. The education I received at PVI prepared me academically for the rigors of college, and I was able to graduate a semester early at JMU with the help of the AP courses I took at PVI. Finally, the preparation I received from Coach Nolan was second to none. I was able to transition to college baseball better than most other players because of his help.
How is playing in MLB so far? What are your goals for the future?
Playing in MLB has been very fun so far and is everything I have dreamed of. I hope to one day make an all-star team, hopefully in the not-too-distant future! Otherwise, I hope to continue being a consistent contributor on a playoff team, with the hope of winning the World Series.
PVI influenced me greatly, from lifelong friends to education to athletics.
~Kevin Kelly '16
