Red Sox Reportedly Sign MiLB Reliever, Extend Invite To Major League Spring Training
The Boston Red Sox have reportedly agreed to terms with veteran relief pitcher Kyle Keller, Will Sammon of The Athletic reported Tuesday night.
“Reliever Kyle Keller and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a minor league contract with an invite to major league spring training, league sources said,” Sammon wrote. “Keller gets $1.9 million if in majors plus $500K performance bonuses.”
The name might sound familiar to Major League Baseball fans, as Keller has had many stints around the league.
He made his debut in 2019, coming out of the Miami Marlins bullpen. The next season, he played for the Los Angeles Angels.
Keller saw his most action with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021. He appeared in 32 games, throwing 33 1/3 innings. He allowed 24 earned runs and struck out 36 batters.
This was the last action the now 32-year-old saw in the MLB.
His next three seasons were spent on various different teams in the NPB baseball league, where he competed at the highest level in Japan.
During his NPB career, he threw 152 1/3 innings and posted a very respectable 2.42 ERA.
He is a two-ball pitcher. As a 6-foot-4 right-hander, he throws an overhand four-seam fastball followed by a drooping 12-6 curve.
According to BaseballSavant.com, he had an above-average fastball coming in at 94.5 MPH in his major league appearances. His curveball is also faster than league average at 81.4 MPH. It was a near 50/50 split with a slight usage edge going to his four-seamer.
Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Fort Myers, Fla., exactly one week after Keller’s signing, Feb. 10.