Career Timeline of Carson Kelly: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Carson Kelly made an impact.

Carson Kelly is an American professional baseball catcher currently playing for the Chicago Cubs in MLB. He has a history of playing for multiple teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers. His career is defined by his role as a catcher.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2012: Drafted by Cardinals and Signed

In 2012, Carson Kelly was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals as a third baseman in the second round of the MLB draft and signed with them for a $1.6 million signing bonus, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball for the Oregon Ducks.

2012: Drafted by the Cardinals

In 2012, Carson Kelly was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the MLB draft after a successful amateur career at Westview High School.

2013: Switching to Catcher

In 2013, Carson Kelly discussed switching positions to catcher, believing it would increase his value, and began the transition during the 2013-14 offseason.

2013: Promotion and Demotion in Minor Leagues

In 2013, Carson Kelly was promoted to the Peoria Chiefs in the Single-A Midwest League but was later demoted to the State College Spikes of the Low-A New York-Penn League after struggling with Peoria.

2014: Playing for Peoria

In 2014, Carson Kelly played for Peoria, batting .248 with six home runs and 49 RBIs in 98 games.

2015: Season with Palm Beach and Gold Glove Award

In 2015, Carson Kelly played with the Palm Beach Cardinals, batting .219. He also won the 2015 minor leagues Rawlings Gold Glove Award for catchers.

July 11, 2016: Promotion to Memphis Redbirds

On July 11, 2016, Carson Kelly was promoted to the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League after a successful stint with the Springfield Cardinals.

September 4, 2016: Promotion to Major Leagues

On September 4, 2016, Carson Kelly's contract was purchased by the Cardinals, promoting him to the major leagues. He later was named the Cardinals' 2016 Minor League Player of the Year.

2016: MLB Debut

In 2016, Carson Kelly made his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals.

2017: Minor and Major League Play

In 2017, Carson Kelly played for Memphis and was named the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Month for May. He was recalled to St. Louis in July and spent the remainder of the season with the Cardinals.

December 5, 2018: Traded to Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 5, 2018, Carson Kelly was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks along with Luke Weaver, Andy Young, and a draft pick in exchange for Paul Goldschmidt.

2018: Traded to Diamondbacks

After the 2018 season, Carson Kelly was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2018: Season with Memphis and St. Louis

In 2018, Carson Kelly began the season with Memphis, received promotions to the major leagues, and was later optioned back to Memphis before being recalled by St. Louis in September.

2019: Starting Role and Record-Tying Season

In 2019, Carson Kelly became a key player for the Diamondbacks, tying a team record for home runs by a catcher in a season, with 18.

2019: Starting Catcher and Home Run Record

In 2019, Carson Kelly became the starting catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks and tied Miguel Montero's team record for the most home runs hit by a catcher in a season, with 18.

2020: COVID-19 Season and Pitching Appearance

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 season started late. On August 9, 2020, Carson Kelly made a pitching appearance for the Diamondbacks during a game against the San Diego Padres.

2022: Season with the Diamondbacks

In 2022, Carson Kelly played in 104 games for the Diamondbacks, batting .211 with seven home runs and 35 RBI.

January 13, 2023: Contract Agreement with Diamondbacks

On January 13, 2023, Carson Kelly agreed to a one-year, $4.275 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, avoiding salary arbitration.

August 19, 2023: Signed with the Detroit Tigers

On August 19, 2023, Carson Kelly signed a major league contract with the Detroit Tigers, including a club option for 2024.

2023: Signed with Detroit

During the 2023 season, after being released by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Carson Kelly signed with the Detroit Tigers.

July 28, 2024: Traded to Texas Rangers

On July 28, 2024, Carson Kelly was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Tyler Owens and Liam Hicks.

December 13, 2024: Signed with Chicago Cubs

On December 13, 2024, Carson Kelly signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.

2024: Season with Detroit Tigers

In 2024, Carson Kelly appeared in 60 contests for the Detroit Tigers, hitting .240/.325/.391 with seven home runs and 29 RBI.

2024: Traded to Texas and Signed with Chicago

In 2024, Carson Kelly was traded to the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline and then signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent after the season.

2024: Club Option Picked Up

In 2024, the Detroit Tigers picked up Carson Kelly's $3.5 million club option, despite his .173 batting average in 18 games for Detroit.

March 31, 2025: Hitting for the Cycle

On March 31, 2025, in only his third game with the team, Carson Kelly hit for the cycle in an 18-3 victory against the Athletics. He is the first player in MLB history to hit for the cycle in March.