Casey Kelly chooses to pitch

Red Sox prospect Casey Kelly has decided to pitch full-time. The 20 year old informed the Sox a few days ago that he would give up playing shortstop and devote his time to pitching. Kelly was the 30th overall pick of the 2008 draft. Kelly pitched in the first half of the 2009 season then play shortstop. But as the sides agreed in 2008, Kelly had to decide what he wanted to do this winter.Kelly received an invitation to spring training and according to Epstein, could be ready for the majors by the second half of the 2011 season. He was 7-5, 2.08 as a pitcher last season, allowing only 65 hits over 95 innings and striking out 74. He was at .222/.302/.340 as a shortstop. Pitching is usually a faster route to the majors. The Red Sox also have 19-year-old Jose Iglesias at shortstop. And, no, they're not trading him. If Kelly develops the way they think he will, he has a chance to be their ace.