Name (Japanese): ブライアン・ケラー
Date of Birth: June 21, 1994
Hometown: Germantown, Wisconsin
High School: Germantown High (Wisconsin)
University: U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Wisconsin)
Family Status: Married
Height: 191 cm (6’3″)
Weight: 91 kg (200 lbs)
Threw/Batted: Right/Right
Position: Pitcher
Wore #: 24
Originally Drafted by: New York Yankees (2016, Round 39)
Signed with Hanshin on: December 14, 2022
Made Tigers Debut on: Never
Social Media: Instagram
Career NPB Stats:
None
Brief Biography
Brian Keller grew up in Germantown, Wisconsin. He played college baseball for the Milwaukee Panthers and was selected in the 39th round of the 2016 MLB draft by the New York Yankees. He moved to the Boston Red Sox organization after the 2021 season in the Rule 5 Draft. He put up his best minor-league numbers in 2022 with the AAA Worcester Red Sox, going 6-5 with a 3.27 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 113 innings of work. On December 14, 2022, the Hanshin Tigers announced his signing to a deal for the 2023 season.
Keller arrived in Japan in late January 2023, and at his press conference, announced his excitement to be part of the organization and to be in Japan. He reported to the top squad camp in Okinawa on January 31 but soon caused Akinobu Okada some frustration when he did not throw in the bullpen often enough for the manager’s liking. When at last he saw game action on February 26 against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, he went 2 innings and gave up a run on a hit, a hit batter, and a wild pitch. His next preseason outing on March 12 at Koshien Stadium against the Giants would be his last. Keller pitched 2 ⅔ innings but surrendered four hits, walked three, and hit another batter. Viewed as unready for a spot in the rotation, he went down to the farm team, which was to begin its regular season on March 17.
In some ways, Keller’s debut on the farm was more successful, as he started on March 19 against the Buffaloes’ farm squad and threw 5 ⅔ innings of no-hit, one-run ball, striking out nine. However, he walked five batters and threw another wild pitch. He struggled in his next start on March 28, giving up four runs in five innings. He walked just one (but once again had a wild pitch) and struck out two. Keller’s third and final farm outing might have been his best. On April 12 against the Carp, he went five innings and gave up one run (a solo home run), allowing five hits and no walks while fanning three. He finished with a 3.45 ERA and a 2-1 record in those three games.
Unfortunately, Keller began experiencing elbow pains at some point. Though he still threw some bullpens, he never made it back into a game situation. On June 14, he returned to the United States to have his elbow looked at by a doctor. He returned to Japan on the 19th but did not resume throwing or team workouts.
The Tigers announced on July 19 that they had placed Keller on waivers. When no other team offered to pick up his contract by July 25, his contract was officially annulled. At roughly the same time, the team also announced that it had signed right-handed pitcher Colten Brewer to a deal for the rest of the 2023 season.
Related Articles
H-TEN B. Keller Interview (March 2023)
Beasley, B. Keller Meet the Press (January 28, 2023)
Four New Import Signings for 2023! (December 17, 2022)