Mitch Keller 2018 Update

S. Samek

One of the most prominent prospects we cover at Hammer Down as been Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. With the minor league season well over let’s take a look at Keller’s progress during the 2018 season.

Keller sits atop the Pirates top 30 prospects list. He has been their sense last season, with Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow being the closest competition for the spot. Both have sense been promoted to the majors, as well as, traded to Tampa Bay in the Chris Archer deal. Though the spot could be vacated to Ke’Byran Hayes, who had a strong year at double a in 2018. Keller started the year returning to double-a. This is a level he had success at during the 2017 season especially during the playoff run for Altoona that resulted in a championship.

The return trip was just as good. In 14 starts Keller went 9-2 with a 2.72 era. He itched 86 innings and had 76 strikeouts to 32 walks with hitters hitting .208 against him. This earned him a promotion to triple -a in July. Here the numbers take a bit of a hit. In 10 starts Keller had a 4.82 era with a 3-2 record. He pitched 52 innings while striking out 57 and walking 22. Hitters hit .280 against him. While the numbers were a bit low they are still pretty good.

Keller is still striking out a lot of hitters and pitched a higher amount of innings than before. Both are encouraging signs going forward. Yes, the era didn’t show a dominance, but it was just a short sample size at triple -a. I won’t say it’s a lost year of development, or that Keller’s a bust. I do just think that maybe he isn’t as close to the majors as was thought. He should be sent back to triple -a and if all goes well look to be up next September. If not look for him in 2020.