Track Record: Keener spent three seasons at Wake Forest, where he pitched mostly out of the bullpen before breaking out in the 2022 Cape Cod League and then during his junior year in 2023. With the deep pitching staff at Wake Forest, Keener got just eight starts in 23 games in his final college season. He posted a 2.69 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 20 walks in 70.1 innings. The White Sox grabbed him in the third round in 2023, signing him for $800,000, and he began his pro career with four games at Rookie-level Arizona Complex League followed by three starts at Low-A Kannapolis.
Scouting Report: Keener has a three-pitch mix with a fastball that sits 93-94 mph and has been up to 97 with above-average life. His primary pitch is an above-average mid-80s slider that he used around 40% of the time in his final season at Wake Forest. His slider has sharp, two-plane break and gets lots of chases out of the zone, though he also can land it for strikes at a high clip. On top of the fastball/slider combination, Keener uses a firm, upper-80s changeup that also gets swings and misses.
The Future: Keener’s athleticism, control, three-pitch mix and projectable frame indicate that he can make it as a starter. With his college experience, he could jump right to High-A Winston-Salem out of spring training in 2024. He’ll continue his professional career as a starter, with a move to the bullpen always a possibility in the future.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50
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