Dallas Keuchel's Success is a Testament to Hard Work and Determination

[Sherry Cerny]

It's a small sample size, but Dallas Keuchel's first game back shows he's ready to be back. He has the resume to get the job done, and that's what he did on a perfect Sunday afternoon at Target Field.

Image courtesy of Nick Wosika USA Today

 

A Battle Back
Dallas Keuchel had an ugly 2022. So ugly that Twins fans sighed a breath of relief watching him implode after so many clamored to snag him in the off-season of 2020. Last year he registered a 9.20 ERA going 2-9 in 14 starts with three separate teams. Instead of retiring, Keuchel spent his downtime working hard with Driveline Baseball, one of baseball's best player development companies, and fought back to pitch in Triple-A.

Rocco Baldelli noted that Keuchel isn't doing this for accolades or awards; he won everything he can, including the Cy Young award in 2015, and is playing because he loves the game and wants to keep playing baseball. But he wants to be back in the game at the top level. Triple-A wasn't enough for him, and Keuchel let that be known. He joined the Twins as one of his top picks for their organization and structure, but he opted out of his contract when the club didn't immediately pick him up.
 
It looked like the Twins wouldn't pick up Keuchel after an outstanding performance in St. Paul. But Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan admitted that he had struggled the past seven starts due to groin pain. When Ryan was sent to the IL at the last minute on Thursday, August 3, the Twins bought Keuchel's contract, and he was on his way back up to the big leagues.

His first game was Sunday against the Diamondbacks, and even if he didn't get the win, he showed that he still deserved a place on the mound. He's one of a few pitchers to throw low and slow and be successful. Keuchel is who he is, take him or leave him. 

First Game Back is a Success
Much like Greg Maddux, he doesn't throw fast, and he doesn't throw hard. He is calculated and intentional. A lot of what he throws is slow-moving and not hit hard. According to Fangraphs, only 48% of his pitches were hit "hard"; everything else was categorized as "soft" contact.

The majority of his induced contact stayed in the infield. The hardest hit ball on Sunday was thrown to Emmanuel Rivera at 89 mph with an exit velocity of 118 mph and stopped by Willi Castro at third base. The harder he throws the ball, the harder they hit it, and he knows it and adjusts. 

Keuchel is known for throwing hitters ground balls, so there will be contact, but the defense stepped up and helped him keep the runs off the board. Keuchel stayed scoreless through four innings. His final stat line for his first game back, Keuchel registered a 1.80 ERA, had eight hits, one earned run, two walks, two double plays, and zero strikeouts. 

Keuchel has never been a strikeout guy, and the defense has to be well aware of the grounders that will be coming, and they were: 50% of Keuchel's pitches were ground balls. He makes the defense work, and the defense typically likes that. They enjoy having a pitcher that allows them to get into the game. 

His performance on Sunday is something the Twins and fans should be happy with. 

He's a Keeper
The front office may be reluctant to have a six-starter rotation. Still, Keuchel's appearance shows that he not only fits in with the club but also how his arm would be an asset to the pitching staff, specifically as a lefty, and making a six man-rotation would be an intelligent move by the Twins, especially with their drive for a postseason opportunity. 

Because of their solid starting staff, Keuchel does not have to strive to be an "ace," but he still has so much potential to help this rotation out, and he already looks like he fits in with the guys and the uniform.

He also works hard. Instead of accepting that he could no longer compete at the highest level, he did what it took to fix what was wrong and worked above and beyond to improve where he needed to be. Keuchel's work ethic is an example for the younger guys.

In his post-game interview with Bally Sports North, Keuchel explained how glad he was to be a part of this organization, how he was impressed with everyone, and how they came together to help him. He said he had a few butterflies, but seeing Carlos Correa helped ease those nerves. He struggled with having nine days off, but he knows the more time on the mound and reps, the better and more crisp he will be. 

Yes, he didn't get the win on Sunday, but he certainly won the hearts of the people and the team.

 

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[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Kuechel is a success if he can be an innings eater and give our other starters a break if they need it down the stretch.  Rotate around.  Also Keuchel got out of some tough spots,  expect a few more runs and crooked numbers to go up on the board when he pitches.  If the Twins can go .500 ball in his starts its a huge win.  You don't have to win them all, just win enough.   If we can win 2/3 between Gray, Maeda and Lopez's starts in the rotation down the stretch we should be in great shape.   

[Dman]

A little too early to be called a success story to me, but yeah, I am rooting for the guy.  A fair number of warts in his last outing but the end result was much better than expected.  Hoping he has great starts until the end of the year and he gets himself a fat contract for next year.

[Dave Borton]

2 hours ago, IA Bean Counter said:

Kuechel is a success if he can be an innings eater and give our other starters a break if they need it down the stretch

Exactly.

[JD-TWINS]

This could be the best FO move to come to fruition in August! If he can get us 5-6 competitive missed starts between Ryan - Ober - Gray - Lopez, through August & early September, we are golden!

We can carry him & Ryan in the Pen in playoffs along with Thielbar - Headrick - Jax - Pagan - Balazovic - Duran

12 man staff & we can carry an extra bat in playoffs as 4 starters is plenty.

Really hope he can stay focused. He’s so different in today’s game that he will continue to give teams trouble if he can maintain command!

Long way to go but his first outing was really solid!

[miracleb]

It is a MUST to have our best fielding infielders..... during his starts!

[CRF]

Too early to draw many conclusions about his first start back in the majors. Ariz was one big hit from putting crooked numbers up. He was ok...we'll see what happens next time out. We won the game with some late heroics. 

[Aerodeliria]

I do like what I saw, which is plenty of tempting pitches just out of the strike zone and varying velocities, but, as others have mentioned, it is one game. If he can do that three or four times in a row, that would be a win-win.

[glunn]

Great article. I admire his hard work and love of the game. 

[Doctor Wu]

If he can help us get to the World Series again (granted, we actually have to win some playoff games first), that will be an even better feel-good story!