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Pittsburgh Pirates: Update On Mitch Keller In Triple A

By Nicholas Caporoso

Apr 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller (23) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller (23) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned former top prospect Mitch Keller to Triple A Indianapolis about a week ago. How is he performing for them?

One are the previous Pittsburgh Pirates regime failed in was developing starting pitching prospects.  Gerrit Cole pitched better in Houston as did Charlie Morton.  Tyler Glasnow looked lost in Pittsburgh but as part of the Chris Archer trade, has pitched like his prospect status in Tampa Bay.  Mitch Keller looks to be going down a similar path as a top pitching prospect that didn’t work out in Pittsburgh.

After posting a 7.13 ERA in 2019 there was hope for Keller going into 2020 given his 3.19 FIP.  He responded with a 2.91 ERA but his FIP jumped to 6.75 as he also battled injuries.  This year he had a 7.04 ERA and has continued to struggle with command.  As a result, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent him to Triple A Indianapolis to work on things.

It started off well for the right hander.  He faced three batters and struck out two on just eight pitches in his first outing.  The team is currently using him as a reliever to get him to focus on certain parts of the game, with fastball command being the top one.  However, his next outing he faced 10 batters over 1.2 innings.  He struckout three batters but also walked three.

That is the emphasis the Pirates player development staff will need to focus on.  His fastball command and spin rates have gotten worse since 2019 and he is not the prospect that was supposed to be.  As the Pirates are more analytical and using more technology, the approach is different.  It will take time but working with Joel Hanrahan, the pitching coach in Indianapolis, should help.  Hanrahan is focusing on the mentality with Keller and trying to get him to be more aggressive.

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Overall, Mitch Keller has been Mitch Keller since being sent down.  He has shown flashes but also has shown struggles.  He will continue to work on the fastball command and his stuff, but the mentality could be beneficial.  If Keller doesn’t turn things around it will be another pitching prospect who didn’t pitch to their prospect staff in Pittsburgh.

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