The Texas Rangers made a significant move on Sunday, acquiring catcher Carson Kelly from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for fellow catcher Liam Hicks and right-hander Tyler Owens. This trade adds depth to the Rangers’ catching position and provides them with a veteran presence in Kelly.
Kelly, who was active for Detroit on Sunday, entered a game against the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter but unfortunately struck out in his lone at-bat. In his 60 games with the Tigers this season, the 30-year-old catcher hit .240 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs.
Having spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, and now the Tigers, Kelly brings a wealth of experience to the Rangers. In his nine major league seasons, he has appeared in 527 games and holds a career batting average of .224 with 52 home runs and 199 RBIs.
In return, the Tigers received Hicks, a 25-year-old catcher who played 80 games for Double-A Frisco this year, batting .260 with four home runs and 33 RBIs. They also acquired Owens, a 23-year-old right-hander who went 2-0 with a 2.80 ERA in 26 relief appearances with Frisco this season. Both Hicks and Owens have yet to make their big-league debuts but show promise for the future.
Overall, this trade benefits both teams as the Rangers add a proven catcher in Kelly while the Tigers acquire young prospects to bolster their farm system. It will be interesting to see how Kelly performs with his new team and how Hicks and Owens develop in the Tigers’ organization.
Stay tuned for more updates on this trade and how it impacts both the Rangers and the Tigers as they continue their seasons in the MLB.
