BRADENTON, Fla. — The velocity drop on his four-seam fastball was as much a mystery to Mitch Keller as it was to anyone watching the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander struggle to live up to lofty expectations.

Keller had touched triple digits in the minors and averaged 95.4 mph on his heater as a rookie in 2019, per Statcast, so he couldn’t understand why it had dipped to 93.8 mph last season.

“It’s tough because I knew it was in there, and it’s like, ‘Why?’ ” said Keller, who turns 26 on April 4. “It’s pretty frustrating when you know it’s in there, and you just can’t get it out of you.”

Keller turned to Tread Athletics, a pitching development company that custom-builds throwing programs. Former Pirates reliever Clay Holmes suggested Tread to Keller as a place that could provide an offseason throwing program and lower-body strength and flexibility routine to help shorten the arm action on his delivery.

Tread Athlete and Pirates RHP @mkeller11 with one of the most electric bullpens we have ever seen here at Tread HQ ⚡️????#TreadFam pic.twitter.com/8iZVwL15VZ

— Tread Athletics (@TreadHQ) January 27, 2022

Remote athlete and Pirates' RHP @mkeller11 started working with Tread in late October.

✅Peak bullpen velo before this winter: 95 mph.✅2021 average FB velo: 94 mph✅Peak MLB velo ever: 98.3 mph

Here he is throwing absolute missiles at Tread HQ, topping 100+ mph.???? pic.twitter.com/bmKKN7JRbc

— Tread Athletics (@TreadHQ) January 28, 2022

In January, Keller visited the North Carolina facility. Tread tweeted video of Keller throwing a bullpen session where he topped triple digits twice, throwing 100.4 mph and 100.9. That caught the attention of Pirates manager Derek Shelton, who wasn’t permitted contact with players during the lockout but was following them on social media.

“It’s probably the one time I’ve been a really big fan of social media, because of the fact that you can actually see video of guys putting it out,” Shelton said.

“Mitch specifically, to see the numbers he was putting up, was really nice. … I think the importance of it is to see the dedication of it. Not to say he wasn’t dedicated to it before, but the fact that he got after it, paid attention to it, that’s really important, and that’s going to help him get better and us get better.”

The Pirates believe Keller has top-of-the-rotation stuff and hope he has the makings of a future staff ace. He was ranked the No. 12 prospect by Baseball America in 2018, just ahead of two-time Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star right-hander Walker Buehler, who finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting last year.

To this point, Keller’s career has been disappointing. He is 7-17 with a 6.02 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 39 starts over three seasons. More concerning was his shaky confidence, especially as his velocity dipped. Keller topped 97 mph seven times last season, per Statcast, with a high of 97.6 against Max Muncy of the Dodgers on June 10.

Keller threw 72 pitches (41 strikes) in 22⁄3 innings in that start, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks in the 6-3 loss. Two days later, he was demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis. He returned Aug. 1 and went 2-4 with a 5.40 ERA in 11 starts over the final two months.

“Confidence comes internally,” Keller said. “It does (stink) when people are dogging you and saying you’re not good enough, but it’s just all what happens on the field.

“I know when I’m not at my best or not doing well. It doesn’t rock it too much but it doesn’t help. It comes with the job. You’ve just got to find a way to work through it. …

“A lot of expectations were put on myself, a lot of expectations from outside media and fans. Everyone wanted me to be the top-of-the rotation guy, and I still believe I can do that.”

Shelton said his first impression of Keller is “very positive,” noting he looks good physically and in his delivery. What the Pirates manager wants to see is Keller put the ball over the plate after averaging 4.38 walks per nine innings last year.

Keller is expected to make his first spring training start Saturday against the Detroit Tigers at LECOM Park, which could put him on track to be the Opening Day starter at St. Louis on April 7. That’s something Keller wants, though he knows that it’s earned in spring training.

“Everyone’s hope is always that, but I’m not trying to look at it that way. I’m just trying to do the best I can out here and compete. Whatever happens happens, honestly,” Keller said. “I feel the best of any spring training I’ve come in. If they want to give me the ball the first game, I believe in myself wholeheartedly that I can be the best pitcher in this organization, in the league and the big leagues someday.”

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---