Age: 21
Level: TBD
Position: Starting Pitcher
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6’5″/215 pounds
Acquired: 2025 Draft, 4th Round
Current BSB Ranking: 33
Previous BSB Ranking: NA
Pic Credit: Alex Mendez
Player Summary
Brief Summary
A fourth-round pick in 2025, Kelly has drawn strong praise from evaluators, with Baseball America naming his fastball and curveball the best in the Rockies’ draft class. The 6-foot-5 right-hander sits 91–93 mph with a lively heater, but it’s his upper-70s curveball—a true hammer with plus potential—that stands out, holding hitters to a .420 OPS in 2025. His changeup also flashes promise with late tumble. Limited innings at UC Irvine due to depth and injuries leave room for growth. Kelly is expected to open in Spokane and could emerge as a top-15 prospect.
More detailed breakdown
The Rockies 4th rounder in 2025, Riley Kelly has gotten plenty of acclaim from mainstream scouting sources, with Baseball America anointing Kelly’s fastball and curveball the best heater and secondary pitch for the Rockies 2025 draft class. Despite modest power displayed at UC Irvine, the 6-foot-5 hurler has a prototypical pitching frame and did not get to ramp up much in college with a stacked depth chart and injuries slowing his progress. Still, Kelly sits 91-93 with a jumpy fastball.
It is Kelly’s curveball that makes him a possible top 15 Rockies prospect come midseason. The upper-70s offering is a true hammer with plus potential that allowed just a .420 OPS against it in 2025. Kelly’s changeup has flashed potential, reaching 86 mph and dropping off the table late. It’s a pitch that should dominate lower-minors hitters. Expect Kelly to start the year in Spokane, although it’s still to be seen how the new front office will assign prospects. Written by Tyler Paddor.
Player Links
Link to MLB.com player page | Link to Fangraphs | Link to Baseball Savant
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