The Chicago Cubs will face a wave of free agents after the 2026 season, and they’ll also consider a handful of minor leaguers who elected free agency at season’s end. One of those is hard-throwing left-handed pitcher Antoine Kelly, whom the Cubs traded for earlier in 2026.
It was an under-the-radar deal: the Cubs sent the Los Angeles Dodgers cash in early June for Kelly, but despite desperately needing any healthy arm to give the team bullpen innings, Kelly didn’t get much of a shot. The lefty was called up at the end of July and made one appearance against the New York Yankees. He struck out a batter, walked one, and gave up no hits or runs.
Kelly was optioned back down a week later and never returned, finishing the 2026 season at Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs. Kelly’s time with the Cubs wasn’t all pretty: the left-hander walked 22 in 29.2 innings after the trade. His wildness also led to two hit batters and six wild pitches. However, for a team lacking serious bullpen firepower, Kelly can throw in the high 90s, and he posted a 25.7% strikeout rate with a 4.25 ERA at Iowa.
We’ll see if the Cubs and Kelly reunite on a minor-league deal this offseason, or if the team decides he’s not the right fit. His high velocity is very intriguing, though, so you’d like to see him get another look in spring training.
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The Chicago Cubs have already gotten several contributions from minor additions in 2026, and they’re hoping for another breakout performance from Antoine Kelly. The left-handed pitcher was spotted at Wrigley Field prior to Friday’s series opener against the New York Yankees nearly two months after the Cubs acquired Kelly in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This will be Kelly’s first call-up to the majors after beginning his pro career with the Milwaukee Brewers. The lefty was a second-round pick in 2019, was selected to the 2022 Futures Game, but he’s bounced around a few different organizations since he was traded to the Texas Rangers at the deadline in 2022 for Matt Bush.
Kelly was outstanding in 2023, earning Reliever of the Year in the Rangers’ minor league system as he struck out 79 batters in 57.1 innings with a 2.04 ERA between his time in Double-A and Triple-A. The Rangers added Kelly to the 40-man roster entering the 2024 season, but the pitcher began the year at Triple-A, and after a brutal first half, he was designated for assignment. His season didn’t get any better after the Colorado Rockies claimed him off waivers, ending 2024 with a 9.35 ERA in 26 total innings in Triple-A.
In 2025, Kelly remained at the doorstep of the big leagues, and after an uninspiring season, he and the Rockies parted ways, leading to a minor league deal with the Dodgers. The numbers weren’t great on paper when the Cubs traded for Kelly in June, as the left-hander had a 5.14 ERA in 21 innings, but he’s found success with the Iowa Cubs.
From June 11 through July 18, Kelly had a 1.10 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. He has allowed four runs in his last two appearances, but overall, Kelly has performed much better since joining the Cubs’ minor league system.
Overall in Iowa, Kelly has posted the following numbers: 19.1 IP, 2.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 26.5% K%, 8.4% BB%, .227 BAA.
No matter what, a player will always cherish his first taste of MLB, but this promotion has to feel extra special for Kelly, who is a local product and played baseball at Maine East in Park Ridge. He was originally drafted out of high school by the San Diego Padres in 2018 in the 13th round, but Kelly decided not to sign and instead went to Wabash Valley College before he was the 65th overall pick in 2019.
