Former Spikes head to Cards Spring Training

Kelly, Harris to train in major league camp as non-roster invitees

February 16, 2015

2013 State College Spikes Carson Kelly and Mitch Harris are among the pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training as the St. Louis Cardinals' camp gets underway in Jupiter, FL.

Kelly, who spent his summer in State College as a third baseman, made the transition to catcher last year and earned an invitation to the Cardinals' major league camp as a non-roster invitee. The Portland, OR native hit. 248 with six homers and 49 runs batted in over 98 games with Single-A Peoria in 2014, one year after helping the Spikes to their first-ever New York-Penn League Championship Series.

Harris makes his second trip to a major league camp with the Cardinals, after pitching 1/3 of an inning with the big league club in a Spring Training game against the New York Mets on March 24, 2013. The Naval Academy graduate served five years as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, including two tours of the Persian Gulf, before beginning his professional baseball career with the Spikes in 2013. Harris made the most of his debut season, posting a 4-1 record with an earned run average of 0.81 in 20 relief appearances during his time in State College.

Since his stint with the Spikes, Harris has continued to climb the Cardinals' organizational ladder, playing at four different levels in the 2014 regular season before ending up at Triple-A Memphis. The right-hander then earned an invitation to play in the Arizona Fall League in October of last year and went 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA in 11 outings for the Peoria Javelinas.

Spikes to the Majors: Check out the list of Spikes to have reached Major League Baseball

The Cardinals begin Spring Training workouts for pitchers and catchers on Friday, February 20. Full squad workouts for the two-time defending National League Central champions start on Wednesday, February 25. Follow the St. Louis Cardinals throughout Spring Training by clicking here.

See more Spikes begin their journey on the "March to the Arch" in 2015! Season Tickets, Value Plans, McDonald's Flex Books and an array of group and corporate hospitality options are currently available and can be reserved by calling (814) 272-1711. All Spikes ticket options can also be viewed by clicking here.