Comments on: Sam Kennelly: Pirates Newest Shortstop From Down Under

By: John Dreker

John Dreker — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:24:19 +0000

I couldn’t even begin to make that comparison. I will say this about him, his bonus is well above anything the Pirates have paid for an Australian player. It’s actually well above what they paid for the previous five combined.
For him to be called the best of his brothers is a strong praise. The two older ones played in AA this year, with the oldest making it to AAA for 17 games. The 3rd brother(Josh) held his own as an 18-year-old in the Arizona Rookie League this year.
The one thing he has in common with Ripken, which I think helps a lot, is a strong baseball upbringing. Always being around baseball and having three brothers there to tell you what goes into making it, can only help.
The arm strength is good from what I have read. He has pitched in the past, so that is a good sign.

By: Kevin Anstrom

Kevin Anstrom — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:34:43 +0000

All four of the Kennelly’s play pro baseball. That’s pretty incredible. I can’t think of any other family with 4 brothers playing pro baseball.

He’s good sized for a young teen and one of his brothers (the AA catcher with the Phillies) throws in the mid/high 90′s. Let’s hope Sam has similar arm strength.

Not trying to create pressure for he youngster but how do you think he compares to a 16 y/o Cal Ripken?

By: John Dreker

John Dreker — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:33:46 +0000

It is very impressive. There is a wide range of talent in the league but it would probably average AA. He has teammates who were or are in the majors, Luke Hughes and two former Pirates pitchers, Anthony Claggett and Virgil Vasquez.
His closest teammate in age is 18 months younger, and that player was sent to the ABL’s version of the minors after barely playing.

By: dave1231959

dave1231959 — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:31:00 +0000

16 years old playing at an “AA” equivalent? That’s great!

By: John Dreker

John Dreker — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:04:52 +0000

Thank you Lee. After I first talked to him, he wrote me about the Pirates signing Russell Martin and some other moves, so he is even following the team daily in Australia.
He really is a great kid, I love that quote about leaving the playing field with a dirty uniform each day and giving it 110%. He’s obviously far away but he is definitely a good kid to keep an eye on

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:58:34 +0000

John…thx….gonna keep an eye on him!!

By: John Dreker

John Dreker — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:04:58 +0000

Part of the reason I did this interview is because there isn’t much out there on him. So while I can’t say that he will stick at shortstop, I do know that he has been called the best at this stage among the four Kennelly brothers. Other snippets about him have mentioned his hard work and understanding of the game.

I wouldn’t take him playing 3B in the ABL as a sign he isn’t a shortstop, it is an amazing jump just to be in that league, where the overall competition could be considered AA quality at least.

His current manager in an article from a month ago, said that he is strong defensively and that is what impressed him enough to put him on the roster at such a young age. Quoting the article about his defense during their version of Spring Training “he has the movements of a lot of the professional guys right now”

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:33:56 +0000

John….Is he projected to STAY at SS?