The Miami Marlins traded righthanded relief pitcher Kyle Keller of Metairie, Louisiana to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. According to ESPN, the Marlins will receive prospect catcher Jose Estrada of Maracaibo, Venezuela in return.
Keller pitched 10 games for the Marlins as a rookie in 2019. Even though he did not have a decision, Keller had a solid earned run average of 3.38. In 10 2/3 innings pitched, he gave up five hits, four earned runs, and eight walks. Keller also had 11 strikeouts and a WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 1.22.
One area of concern for Angels fans for Keller is the fact that he struggled with his control. In addition to the eight walks that Keller gave up in 10 2/3 innings pitched, he also hit two batters.
The home run ball is also a concern. Keller gave up a home run to Jesus Aguilar in his Major League Baseball debut on August 4, 2019, in a 7-2 Marlins loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, and then gave up two home runs to Eugenio Suarez and Phil Ervin in a 6-3 Marlins loss to the Cincinnati Reds on August 26, 2019.
One sign of positivism for Keller however is the fact he showed improvement as the season went along. He gave up four earned runs in his first four games and then zero earned runs in his last six games. Keller also saw his earned run average drop from 6.75 to a very respectable 3.38 in that time period.
Expect Keller to join an Angels bullpen that includes closer Hansel Robles, and relievers Keynan Middleton, Noe Ramirez, Ty Buttrey, Luke Bard and Felix Pena. The Angels finished in fourth place in the American League West in 2019 with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses.
