News Summary
The Ole Miss Rebels baseball team has secured a commitment from Owen Kelly, a standout pitcher from Saint Louis University, aiming to enhance their roster for the upcoming season. Kelly, recognized as an All-Atlantic 10 selection, demonstrated impressive performance metrics, including a 4.61 ERA over 80 innings and a strikeout total of 80. The Rebels are actively strengthening their lineup, making significant additions through the transfer portal, which includes other notable pitchers and outfielders.
Oxford, Mississippi – The Ole Miss Rebels baseball team has secured a commitment from Owen Kelly, a highly regarded right-handed pitcher from Saint Louis University. Kelly made the announcement on his social media accounts on June 23, 2025, signaling his intent to join the Rebels for the 2026 season.
Kelly has been recognized as an All-Atlantic 10 selection during the 2025 season, showcasing his strong performance on the mound. He finished the season with a 4.61 earned run average (ERA) over 80 innings pitched and achieved a record of 6 wins and 2 losses. Kelly recorded a total of 80 strikeouts while allowing 29 walks throughout the season, demonstrating his effectiveness as a pitcher.
At 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, Kelly combines size with skill, throwing a fastball that has been clocked at up to 95 mph. His impressive stats this past season include a 50% ground ball rate and a 1.26 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched). In his last ten starts, he consistently delivered, pitching at least five innings and allowing one earned run or fewer in eight of those games.
Kelly ranked among the top targets in the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason, making his commitment to Ole Miss a significant acquisition as the Rebels aim to bolster their pitching staff. Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco is focused on strengthening the team after losing several key pitchers to graduation and potential MLB drafts.
Owen Kelly is the fourth pitcher that Ole Miss has secured through the transfer portal this summer. He joins Grant Richardson from Grand Canyon University, Wil Libbert from the University of Missouri, and Marko Sipila from San Diego State. Richardson is noted for his high strikeout rate and has demonstrated capabilities that could position him as a potential top-of-the-rotation pitcher for Ole Miss. Libbert led Missouri’s pitching staff in innings pitched during the 2025 season, and Sipila had a productive year at San Diego State.
In addition to strengthening the pitching lineup, Ole Miss has also signed two outfielders this offseason: Daniel Pacella from Illinois State and Tristan Bissetta from Clemson. Pacella excelled during the 2025 season as a First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, boasting an impressive .355 batting average alongside 20 home runs. While Bissetta had a less productive season in 2025, he previously showcased a strong performance in 2024, adding depth to the outfield.
The Rebels are strategically consolidating their roster with experienced players as they prepare for the upcoming season. With these key acquisitions, Ole Miss aims to enhance its competitive edge in collegiate baseball, signaling a proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by changes in their pitching roster.
As the 2026 season approaches, anticipation builds around Kelly and the new additions to the Ole Miss baseball program, as fans and analysts look forward to their potential contributions on the field.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Owen Kelly Joins Ole Miss Baseball
- On3: Ole Miss Baseball Adds Owen Kelly
- The Rebel Walk: Owen Kelly Joins Ole Miss
- Sports Illustrated: Ole Miss Baseball Lands Owen Kelly
- On3: Poll Position for Ole Miss Baseball
- Wikipedia: Ole Miss Rebels Baseball
Author: STAFF HERE OXFORD WRITER
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