ALTOONA, Pa. — If this baseball thing doesn't work out, Mitch Keller might have a future as a fortune teller. After all, Keller just told DKPittsburghSports.com a couple of weeks ago he would be playing for the Pirates soon.
“I‘m about to be playing with them soon,” Keller said in Chris Bradford's coverage. “It’s a lot of fun knowing that I’ll be soon playing with them.”
Soon is fast approaching. Wednesday afternoon, Keller moved one step closer when he was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis following a successful stint at Double-A Altoona. He wasn't alone, as teammate Jason Martin, acquired in the deal that sent Gerrit Cole to Houston, also was called up to Indianapolis.
It was his last performance that sealed the deal on an impressive Double-A career. Keller went eight innings, giving up one hit and striking out six against the Harrisburg Senators Monday night. That improved his record to 9-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 14 starts this season.
It continued a consistent march through the Pirates' farm system for a player rated the team's top prospect.
Keller was named the 2017 Eastern League Postseason MVP with the Curve last season after going 2-0 with a 2.10 ERA in two playoff starts. He began the 2017 season in Bradenton, earning a Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star nod before being promoted to Altoona after going 6-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 77.1 innings.
However, it was with the Curve in 2017 where Keller hit his stride. The right-hander went 2-2 with a 3.12 ERA in six regular season appearances, striking out 45 while walking only 11 in the 34.2 regular season innings he threw for Altoona.
Keller rode his performance in the 2017 Eastern League Playoffs into the 2018 season, limiting opponents to a .208 average. The 6-foot-3 Keller struck out 76 hitters in 86 innings for the Curve with a 1.12 WHIP.
There have been struggles, albeit minor, for Keller. However, his ability to overcome adversity and bounce back have truly made the 22-year-old a special talent.
"When a tough outing happens, it's how you respond, you know, the four days in between," Altoona manager Michael Ryan said. “You learn the most when you take a little bit of a bump in the road and learn from those mistakes."
The development and growth of Keller's change-up has helped. When the pitch is working, it has has an eight- to nine-mile-per-hour difference from his fastball. That, coupled with his attack mentality, will make the difference as he gets to Triple-A and continues upward to the majors.
“This league was really good at letting him know that you can’t just use the heater,” Ryan said. “You’re not going to blow it by everybody. You’re going to have to mix in the secondary pitches. His change-up development has been great.”
Keller also has a desire to be great, hence his proclamation he would soon be joining the Pirates. That confidence is evident when he's on the mound.
"When I'm on the mound, it's just that attack mentality," Keller said. "I try not to let anybody beat me. I want to be the best there ever was so I think that gives me an edge."
Martin got the news he would be on the move following Wednesday night's game against the Harrisburg Senators. Martin was hitting .325 with nine home runs and 33 RBI.
While only with the Curve for a few months, the 5-foot-10 Martin impressed Ryan and company.
"Stuff that we've heard coming into the season, he was better than advertised," Ryan said. "Just the mindset, what he brought to the table, and the power that he displayed for his size. The way he improved defensively was unbelievable. Good for him, it's so well deserved for him."
For Martin, though, his performance has been business as usual. Like Keller, he has big plans.
"I had pretty high expectations and just for me to be able to go out and play like that is a blessing," Martin said.
The lefty is currently the only player from the Cole deal not with the Pirates. But the 22-year-old wasn't concerned about that.
"I wouldn't say I put pressure on myself," Martin said. "It was more just sticking to my game. I know what kind of player I am, and it was just a matter of putting it on the field in a new organization. Just to be able to get the trust from the Pirates and the whole organization is great and I love it."
