NASHVILLE: How'd they miss this kid?

By Chris Lee - June 01, 2007

Watching Shawn Kelley pitch, it's hard to understand how he wasn't drafted last year. The fifth-year senior, who was the OVC pitcher of the year, has completely shut down a red-hot Vandy offense so far.

I talked to APSU's SID about him, and he told me that had the Governors not made the tourney, Kelley was on the verge of signing a free agent contract with Cleveland. He's got a fastball that he throws (guessing) in the low 90s and offsets it with excellent off-speed stuff. He's not overpowering (77 Ks in 122.2 IP through tonight) but more than compensates as he's walked just 11 all season.

He's also durable, as eight complete games in 16 starts would illustrate.

Anyway, with approximately 2,000 people drafted every year, it's hard to understand how he wasn't one of them a year ago. I'll bet it doesn't happen again.