The Chicago White Sox raised eyebrows on Friday by signing pitcher Brad Keller to a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Keller, previously a fixture of the Kansas City Royals pitching staff, has quite the history with the South Siders.
Keller faced the White Sox 22 times during his six-year tenure with the Royals. No outing was more memorable than the "bat flip heard 'round the world" as Keller threw at then-Sox shortstop Tim Anderson after an emphatic home run celebration on April 17, 2019.
The fallout from that incident made Keller a target of disdain among White Sox fans. While the South Side faithful won't soon forget what went down, Anderson's time with the White Sox is over, general manager Chris Getz has documented affinity for former Royals, and Keller is looking for his next gig.
Those circumstances now bring Keller to White Sox Spring Training. The right-hander owns a career 4.27 ERA and 1.446 WHIP in 679 innings across 150 games (114 starts). Hindered by a right shoulder impingement and thoracic outlet syndrome, Keller posted a 4.57 ERA in 45.1 innings last season.
The White Sox have taken fliers on several players this spring, but this one feels odd. It's just a minor-league deal for now, but if Keller somehow finds his way onto the White Sox roster, it'll be fascinating to see what a reception at Guaranteed Rate Field looks and sounds like.
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