Padres News: Cody Decker, Casey Kelly, Others Called Up

Aside from Cody Decker, who has hit his way into the majors and endeared us with laughter thanks to his videos, the Padres also called up Casey Kelly, Jay Jackson, and Robbie Erlin from AAA El Paso as reported by Barry M Bloom. For Decker and Jackson, this will be their first major league action. Robbie Erlin made 20 starts for the Padres in 2013-14, while Kelly hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2012 after missing two seasons with injuries.

More from Padres News

• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster
• Padres got steal with Xander Bogaerts after Carlos Correa’s mega-deal

Decker was a 22nd round pick by the Padres back in 2009, and has played over 700 games in the minor leagues. He is known for his humor, in particular a gag where he convinced 2014 AAA teammate Jeff Francoeur that another teammate was deaf when in fact he was not – showed his trademark wit upon being reached at LAX when told of the news:

"“I was standing at baggage claim and I thought it was a joke, somebody pranking me. I thought Jeff Francoeur was behind it.”"

Nope Cody this time it is for real. Decker had another solid year in AAA this season, hitting 21 home runs with 75 RBI after hitting 27 last year.

Casey Kelly of course is the remnant of the 2010 Adrian Gonzalez trade and didn’t pitch particularly well this season in AAA, but should be able to make at least one start in the final couple weeks, and is excited to be back on a major league mound after making 6 starts for the Padres in 2012. With Colin Rea‘s recent elbow soreness it leaves room for at least one starter to pitch and it is also likely the Padres might just skip Tyson Ross or Andrew Cashner to give their hurlers a rest in a lost season.

Erlin was 7-6 this season with a 5.6 ERA in 24 starts.

The other total rookie is Jay Jackson who will pitch out of the bullpen. Jackson had 86 strike-outs in 79 minor league innings between AAA and AA for the Padres this season. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 9th round of the 2008 draft. It’s an exciting time for fans to see young players make their MLB debuts and give a glimpse of what the future might look like for the Padres. Where Decker fits in the picture remains to be seen but certainly power is always a commodity. Can he bring it with him to Petco? For Jackson he joins a bullpen that aside from a few guys has been a bigger question mark than usual this season. Certainly Kelly and Erlin are also out to prove that they can be called upon to contribute when called upon.