Keller has improved his approach to the game, putting himself on the prospect radar map. "We challenged him to go home between the offseason after 2015 and come in the best shape of his life. He took it to another level," Director of Minor League Operations Larry Broadway said Sunday on Root Sports Pittsburgh.
"First full season out he had some lingering shoulder stuff," Broadway said. "Offseason pitching camp 2016 he took it to another level, jumped right on the radar. Fastball command, breaking ball. We're patient, historically conservative with high school arms. Once the foundation is laid then we can take off the handcuffs." Keller made 23 of 24 starts in 2016 for Low-A West Virginia. The right-hander registered a 2.35 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 130.1 innings, crafting a 138:19 K:BB before allowing three earned runs in 19.1 innings for High-A Bradenton. Mostly likely the soon-to-be 21-year-old will start 2017 at Bradenton with a possible midseason bump to Double-A Altoona.