Kris Keller

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2⁄3 innings of work and was selected to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star game. [1] In the post-season Keller threw a no-hitter against rival Allen D. Nease Senior High School, striking out nine. [2] USA Today named him an honorable mention on their All-USA High School Baseball team. [3] Following graduation Keller planned to enter the major league draft, but indicated a willingness to postpone a professional career and enter college if he did not receive a good enough offer. [4]

Professional career

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers took Keller in the fourth round, and he reported to the Gulf Coast Tigers. Keller was pleased, remarking that "Coming from where I was supposed to be drafted, anywhere in the top five rounds was fine." [5] Keller finished out the year in the Gulf Coast League, going 1–1 with a 2.38 ERA in six starts. Keller spent the next two years with the Low-A Jamestown Jammers and underwent a conversion from a starting pitcher to a closer. In 1998 he saved eight games and lowered his ERA to 3.27. The next the Tigers rewarded Keller with a promotion to the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps where he went 5–3 as a relief pitcher with an additional eight saves and a 2.92 ERA. In 2000 moved up to the Double-A Jacksonville Suns. For Keller, it was an opportunity to pitch for a team which he had watched as a child: "It's been an awesome experience, playing again in front of my parents and buddies." Although Keller exhibited some control problems he saved 26 games with a 2.91 ERA. [6] His 26 saves led the Southern League. [7] At the end of the year Keller was considered a "top-flight closer." [8]

The Tigers moved Keller up to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens for 2001 where his ERA ballooned to 4.48, his highest since 1997. Returning to Toledo for 2002, Keller lowered his ERA to 2.08 and commanded a fastball in the high 90s. [9] On May 24 Keller received the call and headed for Detroit in place of Oscar Salazar. Keller made his major league debut that same evening in a game against the Chicago White Sox. Keller entered in the bottom of the 8th inning with Chicago already up 9–1 and gave up a three-run home run to Magglio Ordóñez. [10] His one inning pitched that day proved to be the only inning he would pitch in the Major Leagues. [11]

The next day the Tigers placed Keller on the disabled list with a "strained right triceps" and on June 20 traded him to the Atlanta Braves for outfielder George Lombard. [12]

Around the minors

Atlanta assigned Keller to the Richmond Braves, their Triple-A affiliate. John Schuerholz, Atlanta's general manager, was optimistic about Keller: "We've got good reports on the guy and we think he's got the chance to give us another real power arm." [12] Keller finished out the 2002 season with Richmond, going 1–0 with a 3.60 ERA. At the end of the year the Braves took Keller off the 40-man roster; without a contract and concerned by the strength of Atlanta's bullpen, was granted free agency and signed with the San Diego Padres, who sent him to the Triple-A Portland Beavers. The Padres released him in May after a rough start; in 18 appearances Keller was 1–1 with a 5.63 ERA. The Cincinnati Reds signed Keller to a minor league contract, and he spent the majority of the season with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, minus a short stint with the Triple-A Louisville Bats. [13]

The Reds granted Keller free agency at the end of the year and he signed with the Chicago White Sox, who assigned him to the Double-A Birmingham Barons. At the end of May Chicago released Keller; in fifteen appearances he was 0–3 with an 8.25 ERA. The Texas Rangers picked up Keller and sent him to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, but after Keller posted a 7.94 ERA in fourteen appearances Texas released him as well, marking the end of his professional career. [14]

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References

  1. ↑ White, Bill (April 25, 1996). "Top seniors showcased in FACA all-star games". Tampa Tribune. p. 4.
  2. ↑ Goodbread, Chase (April 26, 1996). "Keller tosses no-hitter". Florida Times-Union. p. C8.
  3. ↑ "USA Today All-USA High School baseball honorable mention". USA Today. July 26, 1996. p. 9C.
  4. ↑ Goodbread, Chase (May 21, 1996). "Batters, errors dominate high school all-star game". Florida Times-Union. p. C3.
  5. ↑ Goodbread, Chase (June 5, 1996). "Tigers tag Keller in fourth round". Florida Times-Union. p. C5.
  6. ↑ Barney, Justin (August 16, 2000). "Suns' Keller has enjoyed view from both sides of fence". Florida Times-Union. p. E5.
  7. ↑ "2000 Southern League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com . Sports Reference . Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Former Whitecaps bound for Arizona". Grand Rapids Press. September 1, 2000. p. B6.
  9. ↑ Coleman, Pat (June 25, 2002). "Rookie roundup". USA Today . Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Buehrle first AL pitcher to eight wins". ESPN.com . May 24, 2002. Archived from the original on February 16, 2003. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Baseball Reference Kris Keller" . Retrieved August 28, 2008.
  12. 1 2 Dasher, Anthony (June 20, 2002). "Atlanta resolves Lombard strain". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  13. ↑ Elliott, Jeff (August 3, 2003). "Suns' bullpen fails again; Keller shines". Florida Times-Union. p. C11.
  14. ↑ "Kris Keller Trades and Transactions". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
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Kris Keller
Pitcher
Born: (1978-03-01) March 1, 1978 (age 46)
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 24, 2002, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
May 24, 2002, for the Detroit Tigers