Kyle Robert Keller (born April 28, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, and Pittsburgh Pirates and in NPB for the Hanshin Tigers.
| Kyle Keller | |
|---|---|
 Keller with the Hanshin Tigers | |
| Yomiuri Giants – No. 33 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: April 28, 1993 Metairie, Louisiana, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: August 4, 2019, for the Miami Marlins | |
| NPB: March 25, 2022, for the Hanshin Tigers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 1–1 |
| Earned run average | 5.83 |
| Strikeouts | 48 |
| NPB statistics (through October 12, 2024) | |
| Win–loss record | 6-4 |
| Earned run average | 2.12 |
| Strikeouts | 128 |
| Saves | 5 |
| Holds | 33 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
NPB
| |
Amateur career
editKeller attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] He played college baseball for four seasons (2012–2015) at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana.[2]
Professional career
editMiami Marlins
editThe Miami Marlins selected Keller in the 15th round, with the 536th overall selection, of the 2015 MLB draft.[3] He made his professional debut in 2015 with the Class A Short Season Batavia Muckdogs, the Class A Greensboro Grasshoppers, and the Class A-Advanced Jupiter Hammerheads, accumulating a 0–3 record with a 6.26 ERA in 26 innings.[3] He spent the 2016 season with Greensboro, going 3–2 with a 3.35 ERA in 45 innings.[3] In 2017, he repeated the year with Greensboro, going 2–0 with a 2.28 ERA in 67 innings.[3] His 2018 season was split between Jupiter, the Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes, accumulating a 2–4 record with a 3.08 ERA in 52.2 innings.[3]
The Marlins added him to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[4] In 2019, he opened the season with Jacksonville, and was promoted to New Orleans on April 9.[3] On August 1, 2019, the Marlins promoted Keller to the major leagues.[5] He made his major league debut on August 4, striking out one batter over 1+2⁄3 innings pitched.[6]
Keller was designated for assignment on December 20, 2019.
Los Angeles Angels
editOn January 6, 2020, Keller was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Jose Estrada.[7] Keller only made two appearances for the Angels in 2020, giving up two runs in 2.1 innings for a 7.71 ERA with a lone strikeout.[8] On March 31, 2021, Keller was designated for assignment by the Angels.[9]
Pittsburgh Pirates
edit_(cropped).jpg)
On April 5, 2021, Keller was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.[10] Keller made 32 appearances for the Pirates, going 1–1 with a 6.48 ERA and 36 strikeouts. On November 6, 2021, Keller was outrighted from the 40-man roster[11] and elected free agency the next day.
Hanshin Tigers
editOn December 11, 2021, Keller signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball.[12] Keller was mainly used as a relief pitcher.
Yomiuri Giants
edit
On December 26, 2023, Keller signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.
References
edit- ^ Connelley, Travis (June 10, 2015). "Jesuit product Kyle Keller picked by Miami Marlins in 18th round of 2015 MLB Draft". NOLA.com. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- ^ "2015 Baseball Roster: Kyle Keller". lionsports.net. Southeastern Louisiana University. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "Kyle Keller". Baseball Cube. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- ^ RotoWire Staff (November 20, 2018). "Marlins' Kyle Keller: Contract selected". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- ^ RotoWire Staff (August 1, 2018). "Marlins' Kyle Keller: Moving up to Miami". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
- ^ "Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays Box Score, August 4, 2019". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
- ^ "Angels acquire RHP Keller from Marlins for Estrada". ESPN.com. January 6, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Angels in review: Kyle Keller". Npgsports.com. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ "Jose Rojas To Make Angels' Opening Day Roster". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Pirates Acquire Kyle Keller, Designate Edgar Santana". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Pirates outright seven players; Southpaw Chasen Shreve elects free agency". Yardbarker.com. November 6, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ "Kyle Keller Signs With Hanshin Tigers". MLB Trade Rumors. December 11, 2021.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)