Keone Kela

Last updated

6+23 innings over seven games for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, allowing six earned runs for a 6.75 ERA. [21] He elected free agency following the season on November 10. [22]

Tokyo Yakult Swallows

On December 21, 2022, Kela signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). [23] He made 15 appearances for the farm team, but struggled to a 7.71 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 3 saves in 14 innings pitched. Kela did not appear for the Swallows in 2023, and was released by the club in October of 2023. [24]

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos

On February 6, 2024, Kela signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. [25] [26] In 42 relief outings for Dos Laredos, he compiled a 2.70 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 40 innings pitched. On July 23, Kela was suspended by the team for the remainder of the season. [27]

On April 14, 2025, Kela re-signed with the Tecolotes. [28]

Chicago White Sox

On April 16, 2025, Kela signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. [29] In 16 appearances split between the Double-A Birmingham Barons and Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he struggled to a 1-2 record and 7.11 ERA with 27 strikeouts and one save over 19 innings of work. Kela was released by the White Sox organization on June 15. [30]

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (second stint)

On June 20, 2025, Kela signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. [31]

Personal

When Kela was born, his mother was only 16 years old, and his father was just 15 years old. [32] Though Kela was born in Los Angeles, much of his father's family is from Hawaii. His grandparents are from Keaukaha on the Big Island, where Kela spent each summer, enjoying Puhi Bay and Hilo. [33]

References

  1. Divish, Ryan (April 18, 2015). "Keone Kela goes from Seattle-area high schools to living the dream of playing in the big leagues" . The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Chief Sealth graduate Keone Kela picked by Texas Rangers in 2012 Baseball Draft". West Seattle Herald. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Williams, Don (January 25, 2018). "Rangers' Keone Kela aims for healthy, productive season". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Davison, Drew (May 10, 2014). "Keone Kela is driven to be Texas Rangers' future closer". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  5. Fraley, Gerry (January 12, 2014). "Texas Rangers prospect continues streak in Venezuela". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014.
  6. Grant, Evan (March 19, 2015). "Grant: The future appears bright for the Rangers, but is it close?". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  7. "Rookies DeShields Jr., Kela add youth, speed to Rangers' roster". star-telegram. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  8. "Rangers demote Kela to preserve clubhouse chemistry". Star-Telegram. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  9. T.R. Sullivan (January 20, 2016). "Rangers rely on Keone Kela, Tanner Scheppers". MLB.com. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  10. "Sources: Players support Rangers' decision to ship out Kela". Star-Telegram. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  11. "Source of Keone Kela's surprise demotion revealed; what is the edgy reliever's future with Rangers? - SportsDay". Dallas Morning News. April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  12. "Texas Rangers: Stem-cell therapy has taken a weight off Keone Kela's shoulder | SportsDay". Sportsday.dallasnews.com. January 28, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  13. Stevenson, Stefan (March 29, 2018). "For starters, Keone Kela to get first shot as Rangers' closer". Fort Worth Star Telegram. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  14. Berry, Adam (July 31, 2018). "Pirates acquire reliever Keone Kela". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  15. "Keone Kela Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  16. "Padres sign RHP Keone Kela to one-year contract". MLB.com. February 18, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  17. Byrne, Connor (May 19, 2021). "Keone Kela Undergoes Tommy John Surgery". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  18. "Padres Activate Wil Myers, Option Brian O'Grady to Triple-A". May 23, 2021.
  19. "D-backs, Keone Kela Agree To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  20. "Dodgers Sign Keone Kela To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  21. "2022 Oklahoma City Dodgers". Baseball Reference. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  22. "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  23. "ヤクルトが新助っ人のケラを獲得 メジャー通算243登板のリリーフ候補" Yakuruto ga shin suketto no kera o kakutoku mejā tsūsan 243 tōban no rirīfu kōho [Yakult acquires new relief pitcher Kera, a relief candidate with 243 appearances in the majors]. Yahoo! Japan. December 21, 2022. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022.
  24. "Kioni Kera, the right-hand man who joined Yakult this season, has a free contract". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  25. "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 6 de febrero de 2024". milb.com. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  26. "Tecos: Kela, Burgos y Sittinger; tres brazos de calidad Grandes Ligas". milb.com. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  27. "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 23 de julio de 2024". milb.com. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  28. "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 14 de abril de 2025". lmb.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  29. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2025-04-16/p-2
  30. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2025-06-15
  31. "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 21 de junio de 2025". lmb.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  32. "Minor league Insider: Young life lessons help Frisco pitcher mature". star-telegram. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  33. "Hilo gains another face in the show". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. August 3, 2012. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
Keone Kela
20150701-0552 Keone Kela.jpg
Kela with the Texas Rangers in 2015
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos – No. 29
Pitcher
Born: (1993-04-16) April 16, 1993 (age 32)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 7, 2015, for the Texas Rangers