Kris Keller | |
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Pitcher | |
Born: March 1, 1978 Williamsport, Pennsylvania |
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Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
MLB debut | |
May 24, 2002 for the Detroit Tigers | |
Last MLB appearance | |
May 24, 2002 for the Detroit Tigers | |
Career statistics | |
Win–Loss | 0–0 |
Earned run average | 27.00 |
Strikeouts | 1 |
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.
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Although born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Keller attended Duncan U. Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, Florida. At the end of his senior year 1996) Keller was considered a top prospect. During the regular season Keller struck out 101 in 70 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]
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 28 games with a 2.91 ERA.[6] At the end of the year Keller was considered a "top-flight closer."[7]
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.[8] 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.[9] His one inning pitched that day proved to be the only inning he would pitch in the Major Leagues.[10]
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.[11]
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."[11] 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.[12]
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.[13]