#56

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Full Name:
 

Joseph Kelly Jr.​

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Nicknames:

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“JK"

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Born:  
   

June 9, 1988 

Anaheim, California

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Family:  

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Mother: Andrea Valencia 
Father: Joseph 
Spouse: Ashley Parks (@ashleynicokelly)
Father-in-law: Derek Parks
Cousins: Tyler and Tanner Hoechlin (not confirmed) 
Dogs: Rocky (Rockstar) and Drake (2015)

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His father played wide receiver for Vanderbilt University and signed with the San Diego Chargers.

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He met his wife while attending college and the couple were married in November 2013.

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His wife's father (Derek Parks) is a former Minnesota Twins catcher.

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School:  

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Corona High School, Corona, California.
Mascot: Panthers

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He didn't pitch in high school.

University of California, Riverside (UCR)
Highlanders baseball
Coach: Doug Smith
Pitching coach: Andrew Checketts
Major: Psychology
Full roster

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Baseball Related:

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Scouted and signed by Jeff Ishii.

2009 - Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals (98th overall).

2012 - June 10th - Major League debut with the St. Louis Cardinals.

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2013 - Lost the World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals to the Boston Red Sox.

2014 - Traded from the St. Louis Cardinals (with Allen Craig) to the Boston Red Sox for John Lackey and Corey Littrell.

2016 - He was moved to the bullpen as a reliever rather than a starter.
 

Extra:

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2016 - He tweeted, "Wow Cubs Bullpen has it easy. No drunk hecklers above them. That deck can get rowdy."

2018 - April 11th - He hit Tyler Austin with a pitch after Austin slide into Brock Holt at 2nd base. Austin charged and a bench-clearing brawl ensued. He was ejected, suspended for 6 games, and fined an undisclosed amount.

Appears to be a Game of Thrones fan.

Grew up an Oakland A’s and San Diego Chargers fan.

Favorite athlete in college was Johnathan Papelbo.

In 2005, after signing a letter of intent with UCR (college), Kelly stated he was related to "Machine Gun" Kelly (a prohibition-era gangster). The information was included in his personal bio and appeared in UCR media guides throughout his college career. When he reached the professional level he was asked about it and admitted that it was a joke.
 

Sample Heckles:

 

Not available

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Heckle him on twitter:

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@JosephKellyJr

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