Former Tigers Imports: Kyle Keller

Name (Japanese): カイル・ケラー

Date of Birth: April 28, 1993

Hometown: Metairie, Louisiana, USA

High School: Jesuit High School (New Orleans)

University: Southeastern Louisiana U

Family Status: Single

Height: 193 cm (6’4″)

Weight: 92 kg (203 lbs)

Threw/Batted: Right/Right

Position: Pitcher

Wore #: 42

Originally signed by: Miami Marlins (2015, Round 15)

MLB Experience with: Miami Marlins (2019), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2020), Pittsburgh Pirates (2021)

Signed with Hanshin on: December 18, 2021

Made Tigers Debut on: March 25, 2022 vs. Swallows (1 IP 3 R, L)

Final Tigers Appearance: August 10, 2023 @ Giants (1 IP 1 H 0 R, SV)

Social Media: Twitter / Instagram

Career Stats:

Brief Biography

Kyle Robert Keller attended Jesuit High School and Southeastern Louisiana University. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB amateur draft. He spent the rest of that season, plus 2016 and 2017 in Class A baseball. In 2018, he split time between Double- and Triple-A. In 2019, he started the year on the Double-A roster but quickly got a call-up to Triple-A, and in August, to the Marlins’ top squad. In his debut on August 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays, he pitched the final 1 ⅔ innings of the game, allowing a solo home run while striking out one and walking one.

At season’s end, Keller was designated for assignment, then traded to the Los Angeles Angels. After two games with them in 2020, he was designated for assignment before the 2021 season. The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired his services, and he played in 32 games with them that year. However, he was once again released at the end of the season. As a free agent, Hanshin was allowed to negotiate a deal with him. The team was looking for a replacement for the departed Robert Suarez, who was set to continue his career in Major League Baseball.

Keller signed a deal in December, but his arrival in Japan was delayed due to border restrictions during the pandemic. He arrived in Japan on March 6, 2022, and met the press a few days later. Though he had missed spring training with the team that February, management deemed him ready for the closer’s role on Opening Day on March 25. He was greeted by the defending champion Yakult Swallows, who had closed an 8-1 deficit down to 8-7 heading into the final frame of the game. Keller gave up two home runs – one to Tetsuto Yamada, one to Domingo Santana, and the Tigers lost the game 10-8. Keller continued to struggle and was tagged with his second loss in as many appearances on March 29. He had surrendered 5 runs in just 1 ⅓ innings, for a 33.75 ERA. He was farmed after that game.

Upon his return in June during interleague, the team was treated to an improved Keller. He brought back a pitch he hadn’t used in years, a splitter that was refined by the coaching staff on the farm, and allowed just one run in his next 18 ⅔ innings, allowing just two hits during a 17-inning (17-mound) stretch. His ERA had dropped all the way down to 2.70 by the end of August. His last two appearances of that month were save opportunities, and he made good on both of them. It appeared the Tigers had the closer that they were looking for, after all. During this hot spell, Keller was one of several Tigers who tested positive for Covid-19, and he missed three weeks of action.

Though Keller got figured out a few times towards the end of the season, he had earned the coaching staff’s approval, and was signed to a new contract in the off-season. It was uncertain whether or not he would be a high-leverage situation pitcher or not, but because the pandemic rules were no longer in place, he was able to experience his first Japanese spring training in 2023. He was extremely happy to have Jeff Williams in camp to help himself and the new imports adjust.

Keller once again started the regular season with a less-than-ideal performance, allowing two runs on Opening Day against the Yokohama DeNA Baystars. The team would go on to win this year, though. In his next nine appearances, he did not allow an earned run, dropping his ERA to 1.80. His performance was steady throughout the year, and he allowed just one home run (in June to Neftali Soto). In early August, the team started using Kyle in higher-leverage situations. In four straight road games, Keller collected three holds and a save.

That final game (at Tokyo Dome against the Giants) would be the last one for Keller. Due to family circumstances, he departed the team on August 11 for the United States, and was unable to return to Japan to join the team for its championship run. At the end of the year, the team elected not to re-negotiate with Keller, and he was left off the protected player list. It has been rumored that he has reached an agreement to play for the Yomiuri Giants in 2024, though at present, there has not yet been an official announcement.

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