Baseball America released its 2009 Preseason All-America Teams Monday morning, and Highlanders relief pitcher Joseph Kelly was honored with a Third Team selection. The Preseason All-America Teams are voted on by Major League Baseball scouting directors.

Kelly enters his junior season with UC Riverside tapped as the team’s primary closer for the third straight year. His 12 career saves rank fourth on the Highlanders’ list, and the Corona, CA native has a 5-1 record in 39 career appearances.

As a freshman, Kelly appeared in 22 games, posting a 1.32 earned run average with six saves earning Freshman All-American honors in the process from both Collegiate Baseball and Ping!. Rivals.com named him to its All-America Second Team, and the Big West named him Conference Freshman Pitcher of the Year.

The Highlanders open the 2009 collegiate baseball season this Friday, February 20 at Cal. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 pm.

Share this