“There may be people with more talent than you but there is no excuse for someone to work harder than you do.”  Derek Jeter spoke these words, and RHP Kevin Kelleher lives by these words.  The 20-year-old attends St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, FL and had to transition from a position player to a pitcher.  He had to deal with many trials and tribulations with the conversion to get to where he is now. 

Kelleher cannot necessarily say he has been playing baseball his whole life.  He was cut his junior year of high school.  “I felt lost without baseball because I gave my life to it,” says Kelleher. “My love for the game grew even more watching my friends play and it made my desires grow even more.” 

Kevin began training every day and became an even better player than the year prior.  He, like Athletics’ relief pitcher Sean Doolittle, transitioned from first base to pitcher.  “Pitching is one of the hardest things to do, I think it’s even harder than hitting because you have to be able to have command of all your pitches and at the same time have movement in them as well.”  Kelleher worked hard during his season off to make a come back, even after giving up baseball for a few months after he was cut.  He decided to start throwing again with his brother.  “I’m not going to lie, I was depressed my arm wasn’t what it used to be, but it didn’t take long and I was eventually back in shape,” stated Kelleher.  He came back his senior year as one of the best players on the team and was signed out of high school as a first basemen because of his desire to hit and field. 

Once Kevin started seeing success, he became a student of pitching and learned something new about being on the bump every day.  “Currently I am training six to seven days a week, twice a day and trainig at the ARMory Power Pitching Academy Monday through Friday,” said Kelleher. 

Kevin strives to become the best pitcher, and he feels that should be every pitcher’s goal.  He wants to become a top ten round pick next year and feels that if he continues what he’s doing, there is nothing stopping him from achieving that.  And while a lot of MLB players strive to win the Cy Young like Kelleher does, he also strives to win the Roberto Clemente award.  “ I believe it’s important to give back because us as baseball players are blessed so much that it is our responsibility to give back to the community, I also want to start my own foundation someday where I can help kids like myself achieve their dreams in life.”

There are many MLB teams interested in the right-hander.  I see nothing but positive career for Kelleher, and not just because he called me “The Erin Andrews of our time.”  I was truly inspired by Kevin.  I admire his drive and determination.  You don’t hear a lot of college athletes as passionate about not only the game, but life. 

“No matter what achievement or success I receive I give all the glory to God,” states Kelleher. “I thank him every day I get to wake up and play a child’s game.”