By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
Gavin Kelly is going to be selected fairly high in next year’s MLB Draft, that is without a question what will happen.
The question though, is where? Baseball America had him ranked as a top-5-to-top-10 2027 Draft eligible prospect.
And on Wednesday, another outlet gives high praise to West Virginia’s utility man.
Over-Slot, which released its 2027 Draft – Top 100 prospects, has Kelly ranked fourth on that list.
Here is what Over-Slot said about Kelly:
Kelly is something of a Swiss Army Knife with demonstrated ability to play all over the field. He’s caught behind the plate for significant portions of his time at West Virginia, and stayed behind the plate a bit for Bourne on the Cape as well. Kelly has time at second base and shortstop, as well as both corner outfield spots. Regardless of where he plays, his 70-grade speed is a huge asset. He looks remarkably comfortably at any position on the field, some believing he’s capable of becoming a plus glove wherever he lines up. His speed obviously provides extra value on the base paths as well.
Kelly is an awfully efficient hitter who understands his strengths. He’s got the adjustability to battle long at-bats when he’s beat as well. It’s well-above average bat to ball skills both inside of the zone and outside of it. Kelly can get the barrel just about anywhere, and has proven mighty capable of catching up to velocity of any kind. Kelly doesn’t hit the ball very hard at this point and projects into the hit-over-power archetype, but he’s a barrel magnet and consistently gets the most out of his bat speed. His ability to run and put the game in motion does stress the defense.
Kelly’s ability to play anywhere on the diamond is en vogue in today’s draft landscape. His speed and bat-to-ball skills should levy his profile a top of the lineup fire-starter who can make pitchers pay. It’s something of a Ben Zobrist type of profile. If Kelly can grow into a bit more power in games, his feel for the fat part of the bat could get him hitting in the meat of a lineup.
Kelly, who just too home Big 12 Player of the Week honors for his 7-17, four home runs, five RBI performance split between Marshall and the Kansas series is starting to gain national recognition as a high-profile player to keep an eye on next season, especially when it gets close the MLB Draft.
Photo: Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
