Jared Keel

Jared Michael Keel

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
• School Troy University, Gulf Coast Community College
• High School Rutherford High School
• Born August 3, 1984 in Panama City, FL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Jared Keel hit .300 with 22 homers in his college career. The Pittsburgh Pirates chose him in the 31st round of the 2006 amateur draft; he was scouted by Darren Mazeroski, his former college coach.

Keel was 32 for 74 with 7 walks and 44 total bases for a 1098 OPS in 21 games for the GCL Pirates, earning him a promotion to the Williamsport Crosscutters, for whom he batted .250/.321/.400 in 39 games. His .313 composite average paced Pirate farmhands.

In 2007, Jared hit .261/.386/.494 with 17 home runs for the Hickory Crawdads, 4th in the Pirates chain in homers. He fielded only .849 at third base, with 16 errors in 30 games, leading to his being used at first base and in the outfield.

Keel remained on an even keel in 2008, hitting .237/.358/.451 for the Lynchburg Hillcats with 20 home runs, 81 RBI and 16 steals in 21 tries. He tied Miles Durham for the most RBI by a Pirate minor leaguer and was second in homers, five behind Jamie Romak. Jared also was third in the Carolina League in homers, one behind co-leaders Beau Mills and Ernesto Mejia. He was plunked by 15 pitches, leading the loop. He was now a full-time left fielder.

Keel missed the start of 2009 due to injury then was returned to Lynchburg, where he fell to .229/.378/.409 in 98 games with 11 homers in 301 AB.