Kris Keller

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Kris Keller
Win–loss record
0–0
Earned run average27.00
Strikeouts1
Teams

Kristopher Shane Keller (born March 1, 1978) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the majority of his career in the Detroit Tigers organization.

High school

Although born in

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

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]

References

  1. Tampa Tribune
    . p. 4.
  2. Florida Times-Union
    . p. C8.
  3. ^ "USA Today All-USA High School baseball honorable mention". USA Today. 1996-07-26. p. 9C.
  4. Florida Times-Union
    . p. C3.
  5. Florida Times-Union
    . p. C5.
  6. Florida Times-Union
    . p. E5.
  7. ^ "2000 Southern League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  8. Grand Rapids Press
    . 2000-09-01. p. B6.
  9. ^ Coleman, Pat (2002-06-25). "Rookie roundup". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  10. ^ "Buehrle first AL pitcher to eight wins". ESPN.com. 2002-05-24. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  11. ^ "Baseball Reference Kris Keller". Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  12. ^ a b Dasher, Anthony (2002-06-20). "Atlanta resolves Lombard strain". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  13. Florida Times-Union
    . p. C11.
  14. ^ "Kris Keller Trades and Transactions". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 2008-08-20.

External links

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