Keller to Make Major League Debut Tonight in Cincinnati
May 27, 2019 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - Today the Pittsburgh Pirates recalled right-hander Mitch Keller from Indianapolis to start the nightcap of their doubleheader in Cincinnati for his major league debut. Keller will be the sixth Indian to make his major league debut this season, following in the footsteps of outfielder Jason Martin, infielder Cole Tucker, outfielder Bryan Reynolds, right-hander Montana DuRapau and right-hander Geoff Hartlieb.
Keller, 23, went 5-0 with a 3.45 ERA (18er/47.0ip) and 56 strikeouts in nine starts for Indianapolis. He pitched into the sixth inning in five of those outings and allowed two earned runs or less in six of the nine starts. He tossed a season-high 7.0 innings of one-run ball last Tuesday in Louisville, fanning six and walking just one. The fireballer racked up six-plus punchouts in six of his nine starts, including the fifth double-digit strikeout game of his career on April 27 at Charlotte, where he whiffed 10 Knights over 5.0 innings.
Keller is the only International League pitcher with a perfect 5-0 record. He also ranks third in strikeouts and sixth in ERA.
The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native has been rated as Pittsburgh's No. 1 prospect each of the last two years by both Baseball America and MLB.com. MLB.com listed Keller as the No. 19 overall prospect and Baseball America had him at No. 26 overall prior to the 2019 campaign.
Keller was selected by the Pirates in the second round (64th overall) of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. He was ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the state of Iowa prior to the draft.
Indianapolis' first-time call-ups are presented by Franciscan Health.
International League Stories from May 27, 2019
- Stripers' Comeback Falls Short in 9-7 Loss to Norfolk - Gwinnett Stripers
- Clippers Drop Series Finale to Indianapolis - Columbus Clippers
- Keller to Make Major League Debut Tonight in Cincinnati - Indianapolis Indians
- Indians Club Three Homers as Vieaux Wins Triple-A Debut - Indianapolis Indians
- Bats Catch Fire in Comeback Win against Toledo, 10-6 - Louisville Bats
- VerHagen Shines in Memorial Day Loss - Toledo Mud Hens
- RailRiders see win streak come to an end despite early 5-1 lead - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Knights Fall 10-0 to Bulls in Finale - Charlotte Knights
- Bisons End Roadtrip with 5-0 Defeat - Buffalo Bisons
- Holiday Treat: Wings Beat PawSox - Rochester Red Wings
- Mets Hammer RailRiders, 9-5, on Memorial Day - Syracuse Mets
- Eshelman dazzles in series split with Buffalo - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Travis Goes Deep in 7-3 Loss to Rochester - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Kang Set for MLB Rehab Assignment with Indy - Indianapolis Indians
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (27-19) at Columbus Clippers (27-20) - Indianapolis Indians
- Game Notes: Toledo Mud Hens (18-28) at Louisville Bats (19-30) - Louisville Bats
- Valera Honored by International League - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- International League Players of the Week Named - IL1
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo at Lehigh Valley (1:35 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Morimando Is Magnificent, Late Offensive Surge Lead Bisons to Take Series Edge over Iron Pigs, 6-2 - Buffalo Bisons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Indianapolis Indians Stories
- Redbirds Recover to Defeat Indians, 10-2
- Billy Cook Goes 3-For-4 as Indians Drop Fourth Game of Series, 4-1
- Indians Rally Late, Edge Redbirds 10-9 in Back-And-Forth Battle
- Seven-Run Seventh Sends Indians to 10-3 Win over Memphis
- Indians Toppled by Trio of Seventh Inning Runs
