The Philadelphia Phillies have reached an agreement with right-handed reliever Brad Keller on a two-year contract worth $22 million, according to reports from ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. The deal is contingent on Keller passing a physical. Fansided’s Robert Murray was the first to indicate that the two sides were close to finalizing the agreement. Keller is represented by Excel Sports Management.
Keller, who is 30 years old, began his career as a reliable starter for the Kansas City Royals after being selected from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft. His initial success spanned three seasons; however, his performance suffered a significant decline due to issues with his command, highlighted by an alarming rate of 45 walks in just 45 1/3 innings pitched in 2023. This downturn was exacerbated by a diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome. Keller struggled in 2024, recorded a 5.44 ERA over 41 1/3 innings while splitting time between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. However, he made a remarkable comeback in 2025 after signing a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, transforming himself into a formidable relief pitcher.
In 2025, Keller showcased his skills, posting an impressive 2.07 ERA over 69 2/3 innings, which ranked him as one of the top 13 relievers among 147 qualified players. The towering 6’5″, 255-pound pitcher displayed a significant uptick in performance, averaging 96.7 mph on his sinker, a career high, while his four-seamer reached speeds of 97.2 mph. Keller also boasted a strong ground-ball rate of 56.1%, along with an average exit velocity of 86.7 mph and a hard-hit rate of just 30.6%, both of which represented the best numbers of his career.
As the Phillies bolster their bullpen with Keller, fans can look forward to a player who has not only overcome past struggles but has also significantly improved his game. This signing could potentially strengthen Philadelphia’s competitiveness in the upcoming season as Keller continues to build on his successful transition from starter to reliever. More updates are expected as the situation develops.