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Brad Keller (baseball)

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For the volleyball coach and player, see Brad Keller (volleyball).

Brad Keller
Keller with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2023
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1995-07-27) July 27, 1995 (age 29)
Flowery Branch, Georgia, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 29, 2018, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record38–57
Earned run average4.34
Strikeouts538
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Brad Michael Keller (born July 27, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox. He made his MLB debut with the Royals in 2018.

Amateur career

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Keller attended Flowery Branch High School in Flowery Branch, Georgia, playing for their baseball team, the Falcons. He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2013 MLB draft.[1] He had committed to play college baseball at Presbyterian College, but chose to sign with the Diamondbacks rather than attend college.[2][3]

Professional career

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Arizona Diamondbacks

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Keller made his professional debut that year with the Arizona League Diamondbacks and was later promoted to the Missoula Osprey.[2][4] In 15 games (13 starts), he posted a 7–3 record and 2.44 ERA. In 2014, he pitched for the Arizona League Diamondbacks, Missoula and Hillsboro Hops,[5] going 6–4 with a 4.31 ERA over 15 games (12 starts). Keller pitched for the Kane County Cougars in 2015, going 8–9 with a 2.60 ERA over 26 games (25 starts), the Visalia Rawhide in 2016 where he went 9–7 with a 4.47 ERA in 24 starts, and 2017 with the Jackson Generals,[6] where he posted a 10–9 record and 4.68 ERA in 26 starts.[7]

Kansas City Royals

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On December 14, 2017, Keller was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the Rule 5 draft and immediately traded to the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations.[8][9]

Keller made the 25-man roster for the Royals in 2018[10] and had his MLB debut on Opening Day, March 29, pitching an inning of scoreless relief against the Chicago White Sox; he struck out the first batter he faced, Adam Engel.[11] He split time between the bullpen and the rotation, leading the team in ERA (3.08) and tied for first on the team in wins (9). He struck out 96 batters in 140+1⁄3 innings. On April 19, 2019, Keller received a five-game suspension by Major League Baseball, which concluded he intentionally threw a pitch that hit Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox.

On July 7, 2020, it was announced that Keller had tested positive for COVID-19.[12] Ten days later, he was cleared to return to the Royals’ Summer Camp after producing two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.[13] On September 13, 2020, Keller pitched the first complete game shutout of his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing five hits (only one for extra bases) and one walk, striking out two batters.[14] With the 2020 Kansas City Royals, Keller appeared in nine games, compiling a 5–3 record with 2.47 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 54+2⁄3 innings pitched.[15] In 2021, he started 26 games and posted an 8–12 record, a 5.39 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 133+2⁄3 innings.

On August 18, 2022, Keller was moved to the bullpen after struggling to begin the year. On September 22, he tossed a scoreless ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins to earn his first career save.[16] In 35 appearances (22 games), he pitched to a 6-14 record and 5.09 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 139+2⁄3 innings of work.[17]

On May 19, 2023, after nine starts, Keller was placed on the injured list with right shoulder impingement syndrome.[18] On August 16, he was transferred to the 60–day injured list.[19] Keller was activated from the injured list on September 9.[20]

Chicago White Sox

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On March 8, 2024, Keller signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[21] After three starts for the Triple–A Charlotte Knights, the White Sox added Keller to their major-league roster on April 28.[22] On May 14, the White Sox announced that Keller would be moved to the rotation to assume the spot vacated by Michael Soroka.[23] However, he was designated for assignment on May 20. In five games (two starts) for the White Sox, Keller logged a 4.86 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 16+2⁄3 innings.[24] He elected free agency on May 22.[25]

Boston Red Sox

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On May 26, 2024, Keller signed a major-league contract with the Boston Red Sox.[26] In 10 games for the Red Sox, he compiled a 5.66 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 1 save across 20+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 13, Keller rejected an optional assignment to the Triple–A Worcester Red Sox and elected free agency.[27] The next day, he re–signed with Boston on a minor-league contract.[28] He had his contract selected to the major league roster a second time on August 26.[29] Keller gave up 5 runs (3 earned) in a start against the Toronto Blue Jays before he was designated for assignment again on August 27.[30] He elected free agency once more on August 29.[31] On September 1, Keller re–signed with the Red Sox organization on a minor league contract.[32] He elected free agency on November 2.[33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Blomert, Mitch (June 7, 2013). "Flowery Branch's Keller drafted in 8th round by Arizona Diamondbacks". The Gainesville Times. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Blomert, Mitch (June 4, 2014). "Flowery Branch grad Keller making progress in Diamondbacks system". The Gainesville Times. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  3. ^ "Brad Keller". Baseball America Enterprises.
  4. ^ Thackham, David (June 24, 2015). "Flowery Branch graduate Brad Keller impressing for Single-A baseball team Kane County Cougars". The Gainesville Times. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  5. ^ Johnson, Paul (May 4, 2015). "Cougars pitcher Brad Keller's progress speeding up". Aurora Beacon-News. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018 – via the Chicago Tribune.
  6. ^ http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/archives/110494/ [dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Brad Keller Stats, Highlights, Bio". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  8. ^ Flannagan, Jeffrey (December 14, 2017). "KC adds pair of high picks in Rule 5 Draft". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  9. ^ Torres, Maria (March 23, 2018). "The Royals almost drafted this Rule-5 pitcher in 2013. Now he might join their bullpen". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018.
  10. ^ Torres, Maria (March 29, 2018). "Hours before opener, Royals announce 25-man roster, cut Kyle Zimmer, Wily Peralta". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  11. ^ "White Sox vs. Royals – Box Score". ESPN. March 29, 2018. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  12. ^ "Royals' Brad Keller, Ryan O'Hearn test positive for COVID-19". ESPN. Associated Press. July 7, 2020. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  13. ^ Flanagan, Jeffrey (July 17, 2020). "KC notes: Keller returns; 2 test positive". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  14. ^ Worthy, Lynn (September 13, 2020). "A career-first for pitcher Brad Keller as Royals complete sweep and win sixth straight". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020.
  15. ^ "Brad Keller #56". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019.
  16. ^ "Royals' Brad Keller: First career save". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  17. ^ "Royals Move RHP Brad Keller to Bullpen". si.com. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  18. ^ "Royals' Brad Keller: Placed on 15-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  19. ^ "Royals' Brad Keller: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  20. ^ "Royals' Brad Keller: Returns from injured list". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  21. ^ "White Sox Sign Brad Keller To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. March 8, 2024.
  22. ^ "White Sox Select Brad Keller, Designate Deivi Garcia For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  23. ^ "White Sox Move Michael Soroka To Bullpen". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "White Sox Designate Brad Keller For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  25. ^ "Brad Keller Elects Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  26. ^ "Red Sox agree to one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Brad Keller". MLB.com (Press release). May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  27. ^ "Brad Keller Elects Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  28. ^ "Red Sox place LHP Cam Booser on IL with elbow inflammation". ESPN.com. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  29. ^ "Red Sox Designate Joely Rodriguez For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  30. ^ "Rich Hill, 44, rejoins Red Sox with shot to pitch in 20th season". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  31. ^ "Brad Keller Elects Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  32. ^ "Red Sox Re-Sign Brad Keller To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  33. ^ "12 Players Elect Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
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