Catcher Carson Kelly has emerged as a key offensive contributor for the Chicago Cubs early in the season, earning recognition as an April All-Star for his performance.
Kelly, signed to provide depth behind starter Miguel Amaya, exceeded expectations with his production through the first month of play.
He posted a .360 batting average with seven home runs and 21 runs batted in over 17 games, driving in runners and consistently reaching base.
Among National League catchers with at least 65 plate appearances, Kelly ranked first in home runs, RBI, and walk percentage during April.
His offensive output helped propel the Cubs offense, which ranked among the league leaders in runs scored.
Behind the recent success are adjustments to his hitting mechanics, focusing on keeping the bat in the strike zone longer.
After previous injuries and struggles, Carson Kelly shifted his weight distribution to generate more power, leading to increased fly balls and hard contact compared to previous seasons.
He also notably hit for the cycle during April, a rare feat for a Cubs catcher.
While sustaining this level of production presents a challenge over a full season, Carson Kelly is tracking toward potentially making his first career All-Star team if he maintains a strong offensive pace.
Kelly reflected on his efforts to change his approach. "I was in a place where I kind of needed to revamp my swing," he said.
