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Keller's Resurgence: Phillies Land Pitching Ace
17 Dec
Summary
- Brad Keller agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal with the Phillies.
- He posted a 2.07 ERA for the Cubs in the recent season.
- Keller's fastball velocity increased to 97.2 mph out of the bullpen.
Philadelphia Phillies have secured a key piece for their bullpen, agreeing to a two-year contract worth $22 million with right-handed pitcher Brad Keller. This move comes after Keller's impressive resurgence, where he emerged as one of the top relievers for a playoff team. His success was marked by a 2.07 ERA over 68 appearances during the recent season.
Keller's transformation into an elite reliever was fueled by a significant uptick in his four-seam fastball velocity, which now averages 97.2 mph, a notable increase from his previous seasons. He effectively leveraged his entire arsenal, developing his sweeper and changeup into potent swing-and-miss pitches while maintaining a strong groundball rate.
This resurgence follows Keller's release by the Chicago White Sox in mid-2024. He was subsequently added by the Boston Red Sox, where his delivery was refined, and the process continued with the Cubs in spring 2025. Keller quickly impressed, forcing his way onto the roster and becoming a crucial high-leverage arm for the Cubs' playoff push.
