Mitch Keller Fantasy Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller is off to a strong beginning to his 2026 season, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts across 18 innings (three starts). The 30-year-old has yet to give up a home run this season, and opposing batters own just a 1.9% barrel rate against Keller. Keller has just one season with a strikeout rate above 21.5% since 2019, which limits his fantasy upside. He's also currently benefitting from an 88.2% strand rate, which is well above his career average of 71.2%. Still, Keller has pitched at least 175 innings in each of the last three seasons and works in one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in baseball in Pittsburgh. In leagues where he remains available, Keller could be a player for fantasy managers to target off the waiver wire while he is running hot.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller has been popular in trade rumors leading up to Thursday's deadline. Surprisingly, though, Keller will "likely" remain with the Pirates, sources have told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Pirates haven't found any offers to their liking, and they're not in any rush to give away Keller after signing him to a reasonably priced extension before the 2024 campaign. Now in the second season of a five-year, $77 million contract, Keller has notched a 3.69 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP, 100 strikeouts, and 33 walks over 127 innings. The 29-year-old has also racked up 15 quality starts in 22 tries, but he has only managed a 4-10 record because of the Pirates' lack of offense.

The Pittsburgh Pirates "do not yet have clarity" on whether they want to move starting pitcher Mitch Keller, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal writes that the "right offer would tempt" Pittsburgh, but that some in the organization believe that keeping the team's core together is the best strategy for future contention. Keller is under contract through 2028, so there's no immediate pressure for the Pirates to move him. However, the 29-year-old is in the midst of one of his better seasons, so this could be the time for the team to sell high. In 125 innings (21 starts), Keller is 4-10 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. His 5.8% walk rate is the lowest of his career. A move to a contender would improve Keller's ability to rack up wins with more consistency.

The Toronto Blue Jays have interest in trading for Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Keller has also reportedly been the subject of trade discussions with the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs. The 29-year-old righty is under contract through the 2028 season at an average annual value of $18.5 million. In 119 innings pitched (20 starts) in 2025, Keller has logged a 3.48 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts. His 18.7% strikeout rate is his lowest since a five-start sample in 2020, but his 0.68 HR/9 and 5.5% walk rate are both the best of his career. A trade to a contender would certainly help Keller's win outlook, as he's recorded just three wins this season despite his solid overall numbers.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller is known to have multiple teams pursuing him in advance of the July 31 trade deadline. Add the New York Yankees to the list of interested clubs, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. It's a logical fit: Keller could be among the top starters on the move in the next two weeks, and the injury-riddled Yankees are in the market for established rotation help. The 29-year-old has at least shown to be a competent innings-eater in recent seasons, including 2025. Despite a 3-10 record, he held his own in the first half of the season, tallying 14 quality starts with a 3.48 ERA (3.81 xERA), a 1.14 WHIP, and 92:27 K:BB over 119 frames. Keller is on a $15 million salary and in the second season of a five-year, $77 million contract. That's reasonable compensation for what Keller brings to the table, but he could prove too pricey for the Yankees if they're determined to limit luxury tax penalties.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller is drawing interest from the New York Mets, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Keller has been popular in rumors leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, which makes sense for multiple reasons: He's a quality starter who's under reasonably priced control through 2028, and the last-place Pirates are surefire sellers. Keller has been a solid mid- to back-end starter dating back to 2022, and the 29-year-old is on track for a career campaign this year. He has tossed 106 1/3 innings of 3.64 ERA ball with 84:26 K:BB and a 1.19 WHIP. While Keller has gone a horrid 3-10, that's largely thanks to a lack of run support. Moving to a contender like the Mets would give Keller a better chance to rack up wins, which would be a plus for him and fantasy managers. The Mets have dealt with injuries in their rotation throughout the season and recently lost righty Griffin Canning for the year because of a ruptured left Achilles tendon. With that in mind, Keller is a logical target for New York.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller improved to 3-10 with a superb showing in a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Keller blanked the Cardinals over seven innings while allowing five hits and posting seven strikeouts against one walk. Despite his unsightly win-loss record, the 29-year-old has performed well this season. Keller has amassed a dozen quality starts while pitching to a 3.64 ERA with 84:26 K:BB and a 1.19 WHIP in 106 1/3 innings. Notably, there have been trade rumors centering on Keller as the July 31 deadline nears. A change of scenery for Keller could be positive news for fantasy managers, as moving from the last-place Pirates to a contender would give him a better chance to pile up wins. For now, he's slated to toe the rubber in a road start against the Kansas City Royals' low-ranked offense on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller has drawn interest from the Chicago Cubs, reports Bruce Levine. However, getting a deal done could be challenging due to a seller's market, as one general manager states that 25 teams feel like they have a wild card chance. A trade of Keller to Chicago would boost his chance of getting wins, but Wrigley would be a park downgrade for the right-hander. The 29-year-old has been mediocre this season, posting a 4.02 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 24 walks in 94 innings. He's next scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Mets.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller turned in a quality start in a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in 13 innings on Wednesday. Keller threw 7 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing four hits, walking one, and striking out six but had to settle for a no-decision in the extra-inning game. The veteran hurler has now made three starts for the Pirates this season, posting a 1-1 record, 4.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts spanning 17 innings of work. Keller is not a must-start in fantasy, but he is worth a look as a potential streaming option in favorable matchups moving forward.

According to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made starting pitchers Jared Jones and Mitch Keller available for trade at the Winter Meetings. Destin noted Jones is "very available." The Pirates have expressed interest in acquiring some offensive pieces, and moving one of these starting pitchers would put them in a good position to acquire a potent bat. Keller has typically operated as the workhorse in the Pittsburgh rotation, logging over 175 innings in each of the past two seasons. Last summer, Keller posted a 4.25 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Jared Jones made his major league debut last summer and showed great potential. In his first 121 2/3 big league innings, the young right-hander held a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP while generating a strong 26.2% K rate. With Paul Skenes looking like a clear ace and Bubba Chandler nearing his major league debut, moving one of these starters could provide Pittsburgh a much-needed spark to their lineup.