If you look at a merrill kelly game log from the last couple of years, you aren't just looking at a list of boxes and numbers. You're basically looking at a survival guide for modern pitching. Most fans see a 36-year-old righty who doesn't throw 100 mph and they think "back-of-the-rotation filler." Honestly? They’re dead wrong.
Merrill Kelly has become the ultimate "work smarter, not harder" success story in baseball. He didn't even make his MLB debut until he was 30. Think about that. While most guys his age were hitting their decline or looking for coaching jobs, Kelly was just getting started after a four-year stint in South Korea.
Now, as we head into 2026, he’s fresh off signing a massive two-year, $40 million reunion deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. It’s a move that felt inevitable. After a brief 2024 interrupted by a nasty shoulder injury and a weird 2025 where he spent time with the Texas Rangers, the "Desert native" is back where he belongs.
Deciphering the Merrill Kelly Game Log: 2024-2025
Looking back at his 2024 season, it was a total roller coaster. He started hot—I'm talking a 2.19 ERA through four starts. Then, the wheels came off, but not because of his pitching. A teres major strain in his right shoulder sidelined him from April until August.
When he finally returned on August 11, 2024, against the Phillies, he looked... well, human. He gave up two runs in five innings, but the velocity was a bit shaky. By the end of 2024, he had managed a 5-1 record with a 4.03 ERA. Not bad for a guy who spent four months in a rehab facility.
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But 2025 was where things got weird.
- The Arizona Stint: He made 22 starts for the D-backs, posting a sharp 3.22 ERA.
- The Texas Trade: At the deadline, Arizona moved him to the Rangers. It felt like an end of an era.
- The Rangers Run: He struggled a bit in the AL, finishing his 10-game Texas stint with a 4.23 ERA.
Combined, his 2025 total was a 12-9 record with a 3.52 ERA over 184 innings. He struck out 167 batters. For a 36-year-old, those are "ace" adjacent numbers. He finished with a 1.11 WHIP, which is actually better than his career average.
Why the Changeup is Everything
If you dig into the pitch-by-pitch data in a typical merrill kelly game log, you’ll see one pitch popping up way more than usual: the changeup. Most pitchers use the changeup as a "waste" pitch or something to keep hitters off the 98-mph heater.
Kelly? He throws it about 26% of the time.
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It’s his bread and butter. In 2024, he held opponents to a measly .099 batting average on that specific pitch. He basically hypnotizes hitters with it. He mixes in a four-seamer, a cutter, a sinker, a curveball, and a slider. He’s a six-pitch chef. He isn't trying to blow you away; he's trying to make you look stupid for swinging at a ball that ends up in the dirt.
The Big Game Pedigree
You can't talk about Kelly without mentioning the 2023 World Series. Game 2. Everyone remembers it. He went seven innings, struck out nine, and didn't walk a single person.
He became the first person ever to win a game in both the World Series and the Korean Series. That’s the kind of trivia that stays with a guy forever. When the lights are brightest, Kelly's game log usually shows his best work. His career postseason ERA is a tiny 2.25.
The 2026 Outlook and That New Contract
So, why did the Diamondbacks give a 37-year-old $40 million?
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Basically, the D-backs rotation is in a weird spot. Corbin Burnes is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Zac Gallen is gone (likely not re-signing). Arizona needed a "safe" bet. Kelly is as safe as they come.
His new contract is structured brilliantly for the team:
- 2026: $17 million salary.
- 2027: $21 million salary.
- 2028: A vesting option that hits if he reaches 170-185 innings in 2027.
He’s already the second-longest tenured Diamondback on the roster behind Ketel Marte. He isn't just a pitcher anymore; he’s the clubhouse leader. He grew up in Scottsdale. He played for ASU. He is Arizona baseball.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re tracking a merrill kelly game log for fantasy baseball or just because you’re a die-hard Snakes fan, here is what you need to watch for in 2026:
- The 1st Inning Rust: Kelly has a weird habit of being "hittable" in the first 15 pitches. If he gets through the first inning without giving up a run, he’s usually going to go seven deep.
- Day vs. Night: Historically, Kelly has been a bit better under the lights. Check the start time before you set your lineup.
- The Velocity Watch: He’s 37. If that four-seamer drops from 92 to 89, the changeup won't be as effective. Keep an eye on the radar gun during Spring Training.
- Run Support: In 2025, he had several "quality starts" where the Rangers or D-backs just didn't score for him. Don't let the W-L record fool you; look at the FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) to see how he's actually performing.
Merrill Kelly is the "Mert" of the desert for a reason. He’s resilient. He’s local. And frankly, he’s still one of the most underrated arms in the National League. If he stays healthy in 2026, expect another 180+ inning season with an ERA hovering right around that 3.50 mark.
To stay ahead of his performance, monitor his pitch counts and horizontal movement on his cutter throughout the first month of the season. If those metrics hold steady, he remains a top-tier rotation anchor.