Thursday, February 6, 2025
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Prelander Berroa Projects To Be The White Sox Closer Of The Future

By
Craig Rowland
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Sep 29, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Prelander Berroa (66) pitches in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

In less than two weeks, pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training for the White Sox, officially transitioning to the 2025 season. It will signal the end of the dreadful 2024 season, allowing the players who still remain on the roster to purge the historically bad season from their minds. 

The Opening Day roster will look very different than it did last year, and as the year progresses, some of the White Sox top prospects will join the roster as they earn promotions to Chicago. There are many variables to how a player will perform in a given season, but certain baseball reference websites try to give their best evaluation on how a player will perform for the upcoming season. 

Each year, FanGraphs releases their Steamer projections on how they believe each player will perform in the upcoming year. We will be taking a look at each player’s 2025 projections as we approach Spring Training.

The next player we will cover is Prelander Berroa, who looks to make a big impact in the bullpen for the White Sox in 2025.

FanGraphs seems to be pretty high on Berroa, as they believe that he will lead the White Sox in saves this season, as they project him to save 13 games. They also project him to throw 67 innings, en route to a solid 4.25 ERA and a 9.44 K/9, which would also lead the team.

This would be an ideal season for Berroa, as he has some elite offerings and has the ability to be a very solid reliever in the major leagues. Berroa didn’t spend too much time in the MLB last year, but when he was in Chicago he showed off his potential.

In 19 innings, he struck out 36 batters, pitching to a very solid 3.32 ERA. His WHIP was slightly elevated, sitting at 1.47, as he had a bit of trouble finding the strike zone. When he gets the ball in the zone, he is a very effective pitcher, as hitters only hit .217 off him last season. To continue his success, Berroa needs to focus on limiting the walks.

Having the offseason to work with the major league staff should help out Berroa, as if he can control the strike zone just a little bit better, he has elite stuff that could potentially make him the closer of the future for the White Sox.

Potential Patrick Williams Trade Package Revealed

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Mar 3, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks to pass the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls have been reluctant to trade away young talent since the Nikola Vucevic mega-trade several seasons ago left their following five years with minimal blossoming talent and a depleted draft pick stockpile. Patrick Williams has been a great example of someone they should have moved on from several times, including after his four-year rookie contract. Instead, Arturas Karnisovas inked a five-year extension worth $90 million to keep the forward in Chicago. After a sluggish start to his fifth season, the Bulls finally have decided to dangle the former Florida State Seminole in trade talks, a consideration they’ve withheld from doing with the 23-year-old during his first four lackluster years. While Jake Fischer mainly covered the whereabouts of Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic during his livestream this afternoon, he did mention Williams and one trade tidbit that could gain traction over the next week. Where’s he slated to go, and what can Chicago net in return for his services?

Phoenix Swaps Nurkic For Williams

As Fischer admitted, this trade idea is purely speculation. It’s a scenario of Bradley Beal denying the few trade destinations that would have helped the Jimmy Butler trade come to reality and scoping where the Suns may look to rebound for a two-way forward as they hope to gain size at the position before next Thursday. If the Bulls move on from Nikola Vucevic, as it seems more likely than not that they will do, they’ll need a replacement center to finish the season. Jusuf Nurkic is more than likely departing Phoenix and may even be cut if no trade partners are found. Williams was recently added to the trade block in Chicago, and doing the math shows that a clean swap with added draft capital headed to the Bulls could be sensible.

Would this trade benefit the Bulls, or should they continue to have faith in Williams’s slow growth as he’s still only 23 years old?

Moving To The Bench Might’ve Saved His Bulls Career

Two games ago, head coach Billy Donovan decided to try Patrick Williams in a reserve role for the first time in his career, aside from injury stints. This was long overdue and pleased many Bulls fans, as Williams never looked comfortable or displayed development in the starting five. A few years ago, his brother explained that he was the sixth man on his college roster and was more used to coming off the pine. In addition, he noted that Williams prefers to start on the sidelines and take the opportunity to study the game, find what his team requires each night, and prepare to attack as needed when his playing time comes. He might be right based on his stellar performance with the second unit over the last two games.

Typical Karnisovas fashion would be to let a two-game sample outweigh the first four and a half years of subpar performances from his former top-five draft selection. This would lead to the decision to keep Williams by setting the price tag much too steep and continuing to overpay for a bench contributor.

Should the Bulls take advantage if a Nurkic for Williams swap presents itself?

Mike Tauchman Is Set To Surpass Expectations In 2025

By
Craig Rowland
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Sep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Chicago Cubs pinch hitter Mike Tauchman (40) hits a single in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

In less than two weeks, pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training for the White Sox, officially transitioning to the 2025 season. It will signal the end of the dreadful 2024 season, allowing the players who still remain on the roster to purge the historically bad season from their minds. 

The Opening Day roster will look very different than it did last year, and as the year progresses, some of the White Sox top prospects will join the roster as they earn promotions to Chicago. There are many variables to how a player will perform in a given season, but certain baseball reference websites try to give their best evaluation on how a player will perform for the upcoming season. 

Each year, FanGraphs releases their Steamer projections on how they believe each player will perform in the upcoming year. We will be taking a look at each player’s 2025 projections as we approach Spring Training.

Next up is Mike Tauchman, the man that FanGraphs projects to be the second most valuable player on the White Sox in terms of WAR.

FanGraphs projects Tauchman to slash .242/.345/.373 over 102 games. In those games they project him to add 11 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases, en route to a 1.4 WAR. This would be a very solid season for Tauchman and it would be one of the best seasons a White Sox right fielder has had in a long time.

While it says more about the White Sox than Tauchman that the second highest WAR on the team is projected to be 1.4, but for a one-year deal, this would be an ideal situation.

Last year Tauchman hit .248 with seven homeruns and 28 RBIs in 109 games, so his projections have him playing a bit better than he did last year. It is likely that he has a more consistent role than he did with the Cubs, allowing him to potentially get in a groove.

Chris Getz loves players who can get on base at a high rate and Tauchman has done that since coming back from Korea. In his last two seasons, he has gotten on base at a 36% rate, much higher than what the White Sox are used to.

Tauchman should be a very solid leadoff hitter for the White Sox and should provide average defense. There is a good chance he gets everyday bats to entice a team to trade for him at the deadline, but we will have a better idea where and how much he plays when Spring Training kicks off.

Monthly Check-In: Which Blackhawks Prospects Are Closest To The NHL?

By
Isaac Nielsen
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Mar 28, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kevin Korchinski (55) skates with the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past few months, the Blackhawks’ everyday lineup has suddenly been flipped upside down. A team that started the season as one of the oldest in the entire NHL has flooded its roster with young skaters, making its lineup more fun to watch on a nightly basis. Frank Nazar, Landon Slaggert, Colton Dach and Ethan Del Mastro are part of the stream of youngsters providing fans and the franchise with a glimpse of the future.

The last time I wrote this column, I projected Nazar, Dach and Slaggert to be the next to crack the NHL. By the end of February, the skaters “closest to the NHL” will be college stars like Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel and Ryan Greene. Before the Blackhawks’ college skaters transition to the NHL, the team will add a few more young stars to its big-league roster.

Kevin Korchinski

The Blackhawks have recently made a habit of rewarding their top AHLers, like Del Mastro, with time in the NHL. The same should happen soon for Korchinski, who was recently added to the AHL All-Star roster for his efforts this season. He’s struggled at times with the IceHogs, but lately, Korchinski has shown Chicago everything it needs to see. He’s picked up 17 points in 32 games and should get another crack at the big show before the season is over. Korchinski will likely be in the NHL full-time this fall, so it’d be best to get him as much time at that level as possible to build his confidence.

Cole Guttman

Perhaps the most likely player to join the NHL before the season is over, Guttman has deserved and needs a chance at the next level. He became the IceHogs’ other All-Star as a result of an ongoing fantastic season in which he’s picked up 38 points in 40 games. After scoring 40 in 39 contests a season ago, the 25-year-old needs to get a crack at the league this season. His contract is set to expire this summer, and Chicago would love to have a big of extra intel before making a decision on his future.

Samuel Savoie

He may not be as likely to join the Blackhawks as the other two, but there’s a decent chance Savoie spends at least a few games in Chicago before the season is over. A hard-hitting power forward, Savoie is one of the most unique prospects in the system and, despite being a third-round pick in 2022, figures to play a major role in the Blackhawks’ full-fledged roster a few years from now. Chicago might as well give him his first taste of the NHL – what do the Blackhawks have to lose?

Former Player Counters Bad Rumors About New Bears Coach Press Taylor

By
Erik Lambert
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press taylor
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Almost every assistant hired by new head coach Ben Johnson was met with intrigue from Chicago Bears fans, with the exception of one. The reports that Press Taylor, Jacksonville’s former offensive coordinator, was taking over as passing game coordinator didn’t receive positive vibes. Much of this stems from rumors that have followed the young assistant dating back to his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. Many blame him for the regression of quarterback Carson Wentz there and Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville over the past two years.

Former tight end Clay Harbor has a unique perspective on this. He played for the Eagles when Taylor was coaching there and spent extensive time at training camp in Jacksonville as an observer. He explained to 670 The Score that while Taylor isn’t adept as a play-caller, he has a well-deserved reputation as a good quarterback coach. That is the primary role he will serve in Chicago.

Press Taylor does get an unfair rep.

Harbor’s statements are supported by data. In 2018 and 2019, when he was the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach, Wentz threw 48 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions in 27 games. His regression in 2020 was more about ongoing health issues and a growing rift with head coach Doug Pederson, who reportedly preferred starting rookie Jalen Hurts. Combine that with the fact that Pederson didn’t want to fire Taylor despite pressure from ownership to do so to placate Wentz, and the staff got fired.

As for what happened in Jacksonville, that is a jumbled mess. There was a constant back and forth on who called plays offensively for the Jaguars. He and Pederson shared them in 2022, which was successful. However, Press Taylor was given full duties in 2023. That didn’t go well. This, combined with his cloudy exit from Philadelphia, has led to a rather unfair reputation as a quarterback killer. He won’t be calling plays in Chicago. Johnson brought him in because it’s felt he can be another asset for quarterback Caleb Williams. Nothing more.

Chicago Bears Have Found Their New D-Line Coach And He’s A Stud

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
Aug 3, 2015; White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson instructs defensive lineman Tyeler Davison (95) and defensive lineman Tavaris Barnes (90) during training camp at The Greenbrier. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Johnson has been taking a methodical approach to building his coaching staff. Nothing about the process over the past week has felt rushed. Usually, head coaches want their staff put together as quickly as possible, but not Johnson. He wants to make sure he finds the right people. After careful consideration, it appears the Chicago Bears have found their next defensive line coach. His name is Bill Johnson (no relation). The 69-year-old has coached defensive linemen since way back in 1985 and has a solid track record across four decades.

He developed future three-time Pro Bowler Sam Adams at Texas A&M, along with eventual Super Bowl champion Brandon Mitchell. He helped draft and develop Jonathan Babineaux in Atlanta before taking over the New Orleans Saints front in 2009, helping them win their first-ever championship. Future stars like Cameron Jordan, Junior Galette, Akiem Hicks, and Sheldon Rankins were all brought into the NFL by him. Johnson then moved to Los Angeles, where he helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl in 2018. Aaron Donald had the best season of his career that season, notching 20.5 sacks.

Chicago Bears have good reasons to want Johnson.

For one, success seems to follow him. After leaving L.A. in 2019, he joined LSU where the program won a national championship. He even helped K’Lavon Chaisson become an eventual 1st round pick. Then, in a surprise twist, Johnson joined the USFL with the Birmingham Stallions. There, helped them win the inaugural league championship. The man has been doing it for a long time and continually produces good players wherever he goes. It isn’t a surprise the Bears like him.

This connection comes courtesy of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. The two worked together for years in New Orleans, so it only makes sense that he would want somebody he knows and trusts. The Chicago Bears are likely to infuse their defensive line with more help this off-season. Having somebody seasoned like Johnson in charge makes plenty of sense. The fact they’re adding a man who seems to win everywhere he goes can’t possibly be a bad thing, either.

Cubs Still Interested in Signing Another Free Agent Infielder

By
Aldo Soto
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Aug 10, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco (7) jogs off the field after the first inning against the New York Mets at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Jorge Polanco Re-Signs

Well, earlier this week Bruce Levine named free agent infielder Jorge Polanco as a potential target for the Cubs, who are reportedly still interested in signing another to provide more depth on the bench. Polanco, who played with the Seattle Mariners in 2024, has re-signed.

According to Ken Rosenthal, Polanco’s one-year deal is worth $7.75 million. The contract also includes an option for the 2026 season. It also appears as though the Houston Astros had strong interest in signing Polanco and starting him at second base.

The 31-year-old ultimately decided to stay in Seattle, where Polanco will be the primary third baseman.

(Previous Update)

Chicago baseball insider Bruce Levine dropped a handful of nuggets regarding the remaining offseason plans for the Cubs and it turns out that the team is still interested in signing another free agent infielder. While the Cubs are somewhat in the mix for Alex Bregman, waiting to see if the third baseman will re-think his position on a short-term contract, the front office is reportedly on the search for more depth on the bench.

Despite signing veteran infielder Jon Berti to a one-year deal the Cubs still want to upgrade the bench and Levine name-dropped a pair of free agents who could be on their radar.

Via Audacy.

The club is still interested in adding another veteran infielder, with the likes of Jose Iglesias and Jorge Polanco looming as potential names who could help their bench.

Iglesias, 35, hit .337 with an .830 OPS in 85 games for the Mets in 2024. Polanco, 31, hit .213 with 16 homers and a .651 OPS in 118 games for the Mariners last season.

Taking a quick look at the current Cubs roster you can project the Opening Day starting infield to be: Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson and Matt Shaw. However, the Cubs aren’t sure one way or another whether Hoerner will be fully recovered from his offseason surgery by the time the team kicks off the season with a pair of games in Japan in the middle of March.

Behind Berti the Cubs do not have much proven depth on the bench in case another injury pops up.

The team traded for Vidal Bruján earlier in the offseason and he’s the only other player on the Cubs’ 40-man roster with previous MLB experience. Bruján hasn’t produced much at the plate, posting a career .531 OPS in 201 MLB games. Benjamin Cowles and Gage Workman, the other two infielders on the 40-man, haven’t played above Double-A in their respective careers.

So, it makes sense that the Cubs remain on the lookout for another proven infielder in addition to Berti.

Although Jose Iglesias and his 137 wRC+ from the 2024 season with the New York Mets appears to be the more attractive option for the Cubs, I’m not quite sure how repeatable that is for the 35-year-old. Iglesias slashed .337/.381/.448, in 291 plate appearances, but he has a career 90 wRC+. The only season when Iglesias was an above average hitter with at least 300 trips to the plate came in 2013, when he had a 102 wRC+ in 382 plate appearances.

To be clear, adding Iglesias wouldn’t be a bad move for the Cubs. Not a lot of power, but plenty of contact, carrying a career .283 batting average that has boosted his OBP to a decent mark at .323. He can play second, shortstop and third base and rated positively as an overall defender in 2024.

Meanwhile, Jorge Polanco had a frustrating season with the Seattle Mariners. The switch-hitter dealt with a knee injury that limited him to 118 games. The 31-year-old eventually had surgery in October.

Polanco missed a month on the injured list and it took him some time to regain his timing when he returned, but he eventually turned the corner. From July 24 through the end of the season, Polanco slashed .232/.314/.432, with 10. home runs in 210 plate appearances. His 116 wRC+ during the final couple months of the season was more in line with his career 109 wRC+.

From 2021-23, Polanco hit 63 home runs with the Minnesota Twins. He slashed .255/.333/.462, a 120 wRC+ with a 10.1 BB%.

Unlike Iglesias though, Polanco is not known as a good defensive infielder.

I think Polanco would be the better acquisition, but he’s probably looking for more guaranteed playing time to re-establish his value following a down 2024 season.

The Cubs have previously been linked to free agent infielders Josh Rojas and Yoan Moncada. Rojas signed with the White Sox, while Moncada remains unsigned.

Reds Nearly Landed Luis Robert Jr. In Blockbuster Trade

By
Craig Rowland
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Aug 19, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) hits an RBI single during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

After the White Sox traded Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox, the only player with significant value left on the team is Luis Robert Jr. All eyes were focused on Robert Jr. to see if he would be the next major player on the move, but at this point there hasn’t been a trade.

That isn’t for lack of trying, as the Cincinnati Reds were in discussions with Chris Getz for Robert Jr., as they have been linked to him for a while. According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the Reds and the White Sox weren’t able to find common ground on a blockbuster trade that would have sent Robert Jr. to the Reds.

In his article, Rosenthal explains that the Reds and the White Sox could not come to terms on exactly which players should be included in the deal, or how much money the White Sox would retain on Robert Jr.’s 15 million dollar salary.

However, it is important to note that Rosenthal included that the Reds were discussing one of their top prospects, Edwin Arroyo, in the deal. This is significant, as there seems to be a framework laid out for a deal. In the newly released MLB Pipeline Top Prospects list, Arroyo was ranked as the 92nd best prospect in all of baseball.

Arroyo is a 21 year old shortstop that made it all the way to AA as a 20 year old in 2023, but he missed the 2024 season due to an injury. Arroyo has a bunch of potential and would be a very solid addition to the White Sox farm system. However, it is likely that the White Sox would be looking for more as a headliner for Robert Jr., or to take on less of his salary.

It seems that talks are dead as of right now, but Rosenthal was on the Foul Territory podcast and noted that the talks could easily be revived if newly signed Austin Hayes fails his physical with the Reds, as they now have a decent foundation for a trade.

In his interview, he seemed pretty confident that the White Sox will continue to explore a trade for Robert Jr., but the timeframe is uncertain. If there are any major injuries in Spring Training, especially on the Reds, teams could become more inclined to make a deal.

Robert Jr. is an interesting trade candidate, as he showed he had MVP potential in 2023, but was extremely underwhelming in 2024. Chris Getz is right to value him closer to his 2023 season, as Robert Jr. could easily be back to that form in 2025. If he does, expect the White Sox to get significantly more than the 92nd ranked prospect in all of baseball.

Unless the White Sox get what they are asking for, it would be smart to hold onto him until the deadline, especially if he gets off to a hot start.

Newest Update On Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic Trade Talks

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Oct 23, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) talk on a time out against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Chicago has been consistent through the first three months of this season that two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic is up for grabs. The 34-year-old center has a contract that expires in the summer of 2026, and his $20 million annual average is among the league average at the center position. His ability to shoot the three-point ball at a 40% clip at nearly five attempts per outing isolates him from the rest of the field. The stretch-five-player archetype is highly sought after in today’s three-point-driven offensive game, and he’s the only player in the trade market in that category. While early indications saw the Golden State Warriors as the most aggressive trade partner for Chicago’s center, Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report’s NBA Insider, provided the most up-to-date information on where Vucevic’s market activity lies.

Warriors, Lakers Likely Out On Vucevic

Per Fischer, in his live stream this afternoon, Los Angeles and Golden State will likely not be adding Vucevic by the deadline. This is mainly due to Chicago’s asking price of one first-round draft pick, a price too steep for a mid-30s center with only one year left before hitting unrestricted free agency, with minimal postseason experience or success. He also hasn’t earned an All-Star nod in four years, has never been named to an All-NBA team, and does not provide much value defensively.

Fischer notes that if the Bulls continue their lackluster month of January and slip entirely out of the playoff picture, this price tag could drop. The first team to jump on a discounted Vucevic would be Golden State, which is thought to be a destination the 6’10” would willingly join. His three-point abilities would fit seamlessly with Steve Kerr’s offense alongside Stephen Curry.

LaVine Talks Remain Silent, He Wants To Stay

During his NBA trade deadline rundown, Fischer also detailed that LaVine’s status remains unchanged. He wants to stay in Chicago despite being dangled in trade talks for much of the last two years, and the Bulls don’t have any legitimate suitors. There have been murmurs around the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, or Los Angeles Lakers potentially adding the two-time All-Star guard. Still, with his stellar play this month and Bradley Beal and Jimmy Butler being older and more expensive, he might’ve become the most valuable star guard over the next week. Chicago most recently asked for three first-round draft picks if a deal with Phoenix would happen.

Over the next week, does Chicago move either of their former All-Stars and begin a full-scale rebuild? Can the Warriors land either of the two Bulls and help aid a playoff run?

Cubs Sign Former Royals Pitcher Hated by White Sox Fans

By
Aldo Soto
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May 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller (56) pitches during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs have signed Brad Keller, who is mostly known from his time as a starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. The right-handed pitcher had reportedly agreed to a contract with the Lotte Marines of the NPB in Japan last November, but that deal fell through and now the 29-year-old has signed on with the Cubs.

Cubs Insider writer Jacob Zanolla first reported the deal on Wednesday. Keller made 16 appearances in the majors last year, when he began the season with the Chicago White Sox and then joined the Boston Red Sox in late May.

Keller will be one of several pitchers on minor league deals that will be in spring training, competing for a roster spot with the Cubs.

Originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013, Keller made it up to the big leagues with the Royals in 2018. As a rookie, Keller split time in the bullpen and starting rotation, finishing the season with a 3.08 ERA in 140.1 innings.

From 2018-2020, Keller appeared in 70 games and posted a 3.50 ERA in 360.1 innings. Out of those 70 games, 57 were starts. Nothing was really dominant on paper, as Keller only recorded a 16.8 K% during that stretch, but he was able to limit major damage by producing a 52.1% ground ball rate.

However, things went south for Keller following 2020. The strikeout rate didn’t improve much, he started to allow more home runs and more walks as well. He recorded a 5.39 ERA in 2021, 5.09 ERA in 2022 and in 2023 Keller only pitched in 11 games, missing most of the year with shoulder impingement syndrome.

The right-hander signed a minor league deal with the White Sox last season and made five total outings, including two starts. Keller had a 4.86 ERA in 16.2 innings before he was designated for assignment in May. The Red Sox then scooped him up, but Keller wasn’t any better as a multi-inning reliever, posting a 5.84 ERA in 11 games with Boston.

I mean, Keller still gets a ton of ground balls, 52.8% ground ball rate in the past three seasons, so maybe that’s what caught the attention of the Cubs.

One last note on Keller. You’ll probably remember him from the time he hit White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson during a game in 2019. Anderson hit a home run, tossed his bat emphatically and then Keller drilled him. Keller was eventually suspended five games for intentionally hitting Anderson with a pitch.

In 720.1 innings in MLB Keller has a 4.34 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Can he recapture his effectiveness from his early days? I guess we’ll see what Keller has left in the tank during spring training and if he sticks around in the organization once the regular season begins.

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