Dallas Keuchel

Dallas Keuchel (/ˈkaɪkəl/, KY-kəl; born January 1, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.

Dallas Keuchel
Keuchel with the Houston Astros in 2015
Chicago White Sox – No. 60
Pitcher
Born: (1988-01-01) January 1, 1988
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Bats: Left Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 17, 2012, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record90–73
Earned run average3.59
Strikeouts1,078
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Keuchel attended the University of Arkansas, where he played baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Keuchel made his MLB debut in 2012. In 2014, he was awarded both the Gold Glove Award and the Fielding Bible Award. The next year, Keuchel was named the starting pitcher for the American League in the 2015 MLB All-Star Game, and won the Cy Young Award, in addition to his second Gold Glove and Fielding Bible Awards. In 2016, he was awarded a third straight Gold Glove Award, and in 2018 he won it for a fourth time.

Amateur career
Keuchel pitching for the Arkansas Razorbacks

Keuchel attended Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he led the baseball team to the state championship.[1]

Keuchel then attended the University of Arkansas, where he played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team. He registered a 5.88 earned run average (ERA) as a freshman, a 4.58 ERA as a sophomore, and a 3.92 ERA as a junior.[2] In 2007 and 2008, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3]

During the 2009 season, Keuchel led the Razorbacks as the Friday-night ace. The final regular season series was against Drew Pomeranz and #9 Ole Miss at Baum Stadium. The Razorbacks committed four errors in Keuchel's last regular season start, and he was tagged with the loss, ending the regular season with a 7–3 record. However, Keuchel led the Arkansas pitching staff to the 2009 College World Series in Omaha. Arkansas finished the CWS 3rd nationally that season.

Professional career

Minor leagues

After his junior year at Arkansas, the Houston Astros selected Keuchel in the seventh round of the 2009 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.[4] He signed with the Astros and began his professional career with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League, where he had a 2.70 ERA. He began the 2010 season with the Lancaster JetHawks of the Class A-Advanced California League. After posting a 3.36 ERA, the Astros promoted him to the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League in July, where he had a 4.70 ERA for the remainder of the season. He began the 2011 season with Corpus Christi, and after pitching to a 3.17 ERA, received a promotion to the Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, where he struggled with a 7.50 ERA.[2]

2012–14
Keuchel with the Houston Astros in 2013

Keuchel began the 2012 season with Oklahoma City. Keuchel made his MLB debut on June 17, 2012 against the Texas Rangers.[5] He threw a complete game in his second start.[6] Keuchel finished the 2012 season with a 5.27 ERA in 16 games started, while allowing more walks (39) than strikeouts (38). He pitched to a 5.15 ERA in the 2013 season.[7]

In 2014, Keuchel had a 9–5 win-loss record and a 3.20 ERA at the All-Star break, and was a finalist for the final American League (AL) roster spot in the 2014 MLB All-Star Game.[8] He finished the season with a 12–9 record and a 2.93 ERA.[9] For his defense, Keuchel won both the Gold Glove Award[10] and Fielding Bible Award.[11]

2015: Cy Young Award
Keuchel pitching in 2015

In April 2015, Keuchel pitched to a 3–0 record and a 0.73 ERA in five games started. He was named the AL's Pitcher of the Month for April 2015.[9] He was honored as the AL Pitcher of the Month for May 2015, in which he pitched to a 4–1 record and a 2.62 ERA in six starts.[12] Keuchel was selected for the AL roster in the 2015 MLB All-Star Game,[13] and was chosen as the AL's starting pitcher.[14] He won his third AL Pitcher of the Month Award for August, after pitching to a 4–1 record and a 1.94 ERA in six starts.[15] Keuchel finished the 2015 season with a 15–0 record at Minute Maid Park, becoming the first pitcher in MLB history to finish with an undefeated record at home with at least 14 wins.[16]

His overall record for the year was 20–8, and he had a 2.48 ERA and 216 strikeouts.[17] Among major league pitchers, he gave up the lowest percentage of hard-hit balls (21.3%).[18] He threw 3,492 pitches, more than any other major league pitcher.[19]

Keuchel with catcher Evan Gattis in 2016.

Keuchel started and won the 2015 American League Wild Card Game on three days' rest.[20] On October 11, he followed up by beating the Kansas City Royals, 4–2, in Game 3 of the AL Divisional Series, to move the Astros within one game of advancing.[21] In Game 5, Keuchel was brought in for a relief appearance on just 2 days of rest in the 8th inning and surrendered a 3-run home run as the Royals extended their lead to 7–2 which they held on to win the game and the series. Following the season, Keuchel won the Cy Young Award, the Gold Glove Award, the Fielding Bible Award, and the Warren Spahn Award, given to the best left-handed pitcher in MLB.[22] Keuchel became the third Astro to win a Cy Young Award.

2017

Keuchel began the 2017 season by winning his fourth career AL Pitcher of the Month Award in April, after posting a 5–0 W–L and 1.21 ERA over six starts. He allowed six runs over ​44 2⁄3 IP. He became the first Astros pitcher to win four; J. R. Richard was the other Astros pitcher who had won three.[23] He proceeded to start the season with a 7–0 record and a 1.84 ERA; however, on May 20, 2017, he was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a pinched nerve in his neck.[24]

On June 8, 2017, Keuchel was again placed on the disabled list due to continuing neck woes.[25][26] He was selected to play in the All-Star Game, held at Marlins Park in Miami. It was his second career selection.[27][28]

Keuchel finished 2017 making 23 starts with a 14–5 record, and a 2.90 ERA. The Astros won the American League West division with a 101–61 record, and also won the 2017 World Series.[29] Three years later, it was revealed in the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal that the Astros had broken MLB rules during the 2017 season. Keuchel subsequently apologized for his role in the scandal.[30]

2018

In 2018, Keuchel compiled a 12–11 record with a 3.74 ERA in a career-high 34 starts.[31] He had the highest ground ball percentage among major league pitchers (53.7%), and the lowest fly ball percentage (24.4%).[32][33] He also won his fourth Gold Glove.[34] He became a free agent after the 2018 season.[35]

Atlanta Braves

On June 7, 2019, Keuchel signed with the Atlanta Braves for one year worth $13 million.[36] He made his first start on June 21. Over 19 starts for the year, Keuchel went 8–8 with a 3.75 ERA, striking out 91 over ​112 2⁄3 innings.

Chicago White Sox

On December 30, 2019, the Chicago White Sox signed Keuchel to a three-year $55.5 million contract.[37] He made his White Sox debut on July 25, 2020, picking up a win over the Minnesota Twins.[38]

In the 2020 season, he was 6-2 with a 1.99 ERA.[39] He led the AL in fewest home runs per 9 IP (0.284), and in fewest strikeouts per nine innings (6.0).[40][41]

Pitching style

Keuchel throws five pitches: a four-seam fastball averaging 89 miles per hour (143 km/h), a sinker averaging 89 miles per hour (143 km/h), a cut fastball averaging 86 miles per hour (138 km/h), a slider averaging 79 miles per hour (127 km/h), and a changeup averaging 80 miles per hour (130 km/h).[42] He had learned a slurve while in high school, which he did not use in college, as he relied on his sinker and changeup. Needing a breaking ball when he became a professional, he learned to throw a curveball. He did not succeed with the curveball in the major leagues, and he developed a slider, which helped his results.[43] Keuchel's sinker and slider both induce more ground balls than average across the league.[42]

Personal life

Keuchel is the son of Dennis and Teresa Keuchel. He has an older sister, Krista.[44]

References
  1. Allen, Nate (June 11, 2009). "Big-game pitcher". Tulsa World. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  2. John Sickels. "Prospect of the Day: Dallas Keuchel, LHP, Houston Astros". Minor League Ball. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  3. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  4. "Rounding Third: Is Dallas Keuchel the AL's best pitcher?". Fox News. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  5. McTaggart, Brian (June 16, 2012). "Astros call on Keuchel to debut on Sunday". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  6. "Dallas Keuchel throws complete game in second career start – HardballTalk". nbcsports.com. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  7. Jon Tayler. "Dallas Keuchel continues to shine for surprising Astros". SI.com. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  8. "Bishop Kelley grad Dallas Keuchel having solid season for Astros". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  9. "Pro baseball: Bishop Kelley's Dallas Keuchel named AL Pitcher of the Month". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  10. "Pro baseball: Bishop Kelley's Dallas Keuchel, former Drillers 3B Nolan Arenado win Gold Gloves". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  11. "2014 Fielding Bible Award winners announced – HardballTalk". nbcsports.com. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  12. "Astros' Dallas Keuchel named AL's Pitcher of the Month for May". Ultimate Astros. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  13. "Dallas Keuchel joins Jose Altuve as only Astros to make All-Star cut". Ultimate Astros. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  14. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY Sports (July 13, 2015). "Zack Greinke, Dallas Keuchel named starting pitchers for All-Star Game". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  15. Laymance, Reid (September 2, 2015). "Dallas Keuchel named AL pitcher of the month for third time this year". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  16. DiBenedetto, Cory (September 28, 2015). "Dallas Keuchel's Historic Home Record". Gammons Daily. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  17. "Dallas Keuchel Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  18. "Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Pitchers » Batted Ball Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". Fangraphs.com. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  19. "Major League Leaderboards » 2015 » Pitchers » Batted Ball Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". Fangraphs.com. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  20. "Dallas Keuchel, Astros look like playoff vets in eliminating Yankees". USA Today. October 6, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  21. "Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. October 11, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  22. Lewis, Barry (November 16, 2015). "Bishop Kelley Graduate Wins Warren Spahn Award". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  23. Kaplan, Jake (May 3, 2017). "Astros' Dallas Keuchel named AL pitcher of the month". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  24. McTaggart, Brian (May 20, 2017). "Dallas Keuchel to DL with pinched nerve in neck". MLB.com. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  25. McTaggart, Brian (June 8, 2017). "Dallas Keuchel goes back on DL with neck woes". MLB.com. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  26. McTaggart, Brian. "Dallas Keuchel likely won't return until after ASG". MLB. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  27. KHOU.com and CBS Sports (July 2, 2017). "5 Astros chosen for MLB American League All-Star team". KHOU.com. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  28. Heinrich, Garret (July 10, 2017). "Jose Altuve leading off All-Star Game; Springer 4th Correa 5th". CBS Houston. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  29. McTaggart, Brian; Gurnick, Ken. "Houston Astros win 2017 World Series". MLB. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  30. Rogers, Jesse. "Dallas Keuchel apologizes for sign stealing, says ex-teammates should as well". espn.com. January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  31. "Patrick Corbin, Dallas Keuchel, J.A. Happ: Reds eye top free agents". Cincinnati.com. November 5, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  32. "Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Pitchers » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball". Fangraphs.com. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  33. "Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Pitchers » Batted Ball Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". Fangraphs.com. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  34. Houston Chronicle: Digital and Home Delivery Subscriptions
  35. "Free agent Dallas Keuchel wonders what it takes to get signed". CBS Today. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  36. Bowman, Mark (June 8, 2019). "Braves, Keuchel finalize 1-year deal". Mlb.com. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  37. "Keuchel, White Sox finalize 3-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  38. Cohen, Jay. "García homers twice as White Sox pound Twins 10-3". apnews.com. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  39. "Dallas Keuchel Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  40. "2020 American League Standard Pitching". Baseball-Reference.com.
  41. "2020 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
  42. "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Dallas Keuchel". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  43. Fox Sports. "Dallas Keuchel's trouble with the curve won't get in his way". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  44. Drellich, Evan (May 9, 2015). "Growing up Keuchel: How the Astros' ace developed his attention to detail, success: Pitcher's attention to detail started at home, long before taking the mound". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Rick Porcello		 American League
Pitcher of the Month
April 2017		 Succeeded by
Lance McCullers Jr.
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