He was one of the better rookies in baseball down the stretch. The infielder had a solid 8.5% walk rate but also struck out well over a quarter of the time with a 27.5% strikeout rate. 247/.310/.478 with ten home runs in just 200 trips to the plate. After the Pirates recalled the slugger in early August, Castro would go on to hit. While the Pirates do have many talented middle infield prospects in the system, who will open the 2023 season as their starting second baseman? Some of those players are no longer part of the organization, like Josh VanMeter, Yu Chang, and Michael Chavis, but still a lot of guys for one position nonetheless. Ten different players were used at the position for at least 30 innings. Second base was a mixed bag this year for the Pittsburgh Pirates. His strong second half in 2022 suggests that he is already well on his way.The Pittsburgh Pirates have plenty of options to start at the keystone to open the 2023 season, but which option is the best? If he can continue to refine his command and stay healthy, he has the potential to become one of the top young pitchers in the game. Looking ahead, Keller's breakout season in 2022 provides a strong foundation for him to build upon in the coming years. Mitch Keller finding out he’s the Pirates starter on Opening Day is guaranteed to put a smile on your face /iYO2BuZ7uQ- Emily Giangreco March 15, 2023 He continued to work closely with his coaches and support staff to fine-tune his mechanics and mental approach, and it paid off with improved results on the field. Keller's improved performance in the second half of the season was a testament to his perseverance and determination to succeed at the highest level. Keller also showed an ability to pitch deep into games, logging six or more innings in 11 of those 14 starts. He was able to locate his pitches more effectively, resulting in fewer walks and fewer home runs allowed. Over his final 14 starts, he posted a 3.09 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched. In the second half of the season, Keller turned a corner and began to dominate on the mound. However, Keller showed resilience and a strong work ethic, continuing to work on his mechanics and mental approach to the game. He was plagued by inconsistency and struggled with his command, leading to a high number of walks and home runs allowed. Keller struggled early in the season, with a 5.96 ERA over his first 15 starts. Keller's season was a tale of two halves, with a strong second half that showcased his true potential as a top-of-the-rotation starter. Mitch Keller had a breakout season in 2022, despite his record of 5-12 and ERA of 3.91, with 159 innings pitched. Here's my breaking news story on the Pirates naming Mitch Keller their Opening Day starter: - Jason Mackey March 15, 2023 Of course, it will be vital for him to have a better start to the season than he did last year. With his mix of electric stuff and the progress he made last season Keller could be in for a big year. In fact, he has been named the team's Opening Day starter, a clear indication of the confidence that the Pirates have in his abilities. After a breakout campaign in 2022 that saw him emerge as a reliable innings-eater with a dominant second half, Keller is poised to take on an even larger role in the Pirates' rotation this year. Mitch Keller, the talented young pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has established himself as one of the team's top starters heading into the 2023 season. The Pittsburgh Pirates saw one of their former top prospects take a significant step forward in terms of performance last season.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |