When Derek Shelton was selected as an assistant coach for Rob Thomson’s National League roster at next week’s MLB All-Star Game, the Pirates manager was a little emotional while reflecting on what the Phillies skipper has meant throughout his career.
But Shelton also admitted it was relatively minor compared to how he’d feel if he got to tell Mitch Keller that the Pirates ace would be joining him in Seattle.
“It would be unbelievable with everything he has gone through over the last couple years,” Shelton said. ”The grinding, the changing and how much he matured, that would be way more emotional than me going.”
Turns out Shelton got his wish, as Keller will represent the Pirates for the game on July 11 at T-Mobile Park. True to his word, it sounds like Shelton was taken aback while trying to convey the good news to Keller.
Shelton started by talking to Keller about the Pirates' post-break plans, then eventually gave up and presented him with a formal invitation and a bottle of champagne.
“He didn’t even really say anything,” Keller said. “He just looked my way. I don’t think he could get it out to say it. It was just a cool moment.”
To be fair, Shelton wasn’t the only one who nearly broke down Sunday.
While meeting with reporters pregame to talk about his first All-Star Game, Keller also got choked up when reflecting on his journey to this point — from heralded prospect to struggling starter his first couple of years before getting bounced to the bullpen and finally figuring it out.
“I’m just getting emotional, man,” Keller said. “It’s really cool. Yeah.”
Shelton has seen plenty of tough times with Keller and was part of sending him the minor leagues, which is why Sunday felt so gratifying for the Pirates manager.
"He and I have been through a lot together, and we’ve had a lot of deep conversations and very heartfelt conversations about not only him as a player but him as a person," Shelton said. "He’s one of those guys I almost look at as like one of my kids because we’ve been here. So it was very emotional for both of us.”
This season, Keller has legitimately blossomed into one of the NL’s best starting pitchers. Just consider where Keller ranks in some key categories:
• Entering Sunday’s games, Keller was second in strikeouts (118), sixth in WHIP (1.10) and ninth in batting average against (.223) among NL starts.
• He was tied for third with 11 quality starts.
• Keller is 9-3 with a 3.34 ERA. That second mark placed him 11th among NL starters.
The reasons for Keller’s success have been widespread.
Adopting a sinker last May was obviously the first step in the process. Labeled by some as a bust given his struggles over the past few years, it gave Keller some much-needed confidence and also a way to keep hitters honest, preventing them from sitting on his fastball.
“A lot of hard work, a lot of people supporting me along the way, family, coaches, teammates probably a lot of people I’m missing,” Keller said. “Just everybody the past couple years. It’s really cool. Really cool moment.”
This season, Keller has been employing a cutter/sweeper combo — essentially splitting apart his slider — and the results have been terrific. When Keller worked through a three-start stretch where he had a 7.79 ERA, one of his corrective measures was to use the cutter more.
Keller’s sweeper has also been a terrific out pitch for him, the result of its dynamic movement. Opponents are hitting .211 with a .268 slugging percentage on Keller’s sweeper, which has a whiff rate of 25.2%.
All of that has served to complement Keller’s fastball, which has performed better than it ever has for him, with a .172 batting average against and a 26.7% whiff rate.
"Mitch Keller has been on fire this year,” David Bednar said. “He's been a lot of fun to watch. He should certainly punch his ticket to Seattle."
The stellar, sustained performance has vaulted the 27-year-old Cedar Rapids, Iowa native into a bigger and more lucrative discussion, as Keller and the Pirates have engaged in talks over a multi-year extension.
There hasn’t been much to come out publicly, but it certainly stands to reason that a deal would make sense for both sides.
"This kid has been through a lot, including a demotion and going to the bullpen to work on things," Shelton said. "It's credit to his willingness to learn and adjustment. ... Mitch deserves to be on this team."
In the past few days, Keller was asked a few times about the All-Star Game. He downplayed it every time. Even Sunday, Keller refused to get too far into it, fearful complacency might kick in.
“As soon as you say you made it, the game will humble you right back,” Keller said. “Just trying to stay the same guy.”
Being around so many stars in Seattle will be a surreal experience Keller said. He also has a sound game plan going into it.
“Keep my mouth closed and open my ears,” Keller said. “Try to get as much knowledge as I can out of all those guys. Really excited for it.”
As for Bednar, it was a little surprising that he didn’t make it. He went 29 appearances before issuing a non-intentional walk and has pitched to a 1.44 ERA in 31 games (31 1/3 innings).
The right-hander has allowed just one home run while walking four and striking out 37. Bednar had a 0.89 WHIP entering play Sunday and a .207 batting average against.
Bednar, who has converted 16 of 17 save opportunities, ranks second among NL relievers in ERA and walks per batter faced (.33).
Another Pirates player who had an outside chance was Andrew McCutchen, who has been one of the better designated hitters in the NL. Across 71 games, McCutchen has hit .282 with an .843 OPS entering Sunday.
He had 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 28 RBIs and 38 runs scored while also employing sharp eye at the plate. McCutchen has walked 47 times compared to just 59 strikeouts — and has been outstanding in the last couple of weeks.
McCutchen has reached base in 23 of his past 24 entering Sunday, with a .325 average and .925 OPS. Along with five doubles and two homers in that stretch, McCutchen has posted more walks (22) than strikeouts (18).
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com or Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: July 2, 2023, 9:33 p.m.
Updated: July 2, 2023, 10:03 p.m.
