Atlanta Braves free agent profile Dallas Keuchel

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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 08: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during Game Three of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Braves are looking for a pitcher who could anchor their playoff rotation. Could the former Houston Astros lefty be a signing option

The Atlanta Braves have a load of young pitching, but they could use someone with playoff experience to front the rotation as they intend to advance deep into October. Could the pitcher to pursue be former Houston Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel?

Player Profile

Keuchel is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he attended the University of Arkansas, where he turned himself into a top draft pick, going in the 7th round of the 2009 draft to the Houston Astros. He had a tremendous performance in his draft season in the New York-Penn League, with a 2.70 ERA over 56 2/3 innings and a 9/44 BB/K ratio.

Keuchel made it up to AA in his first full season and worked across the upper minors in his second minor league season. In 2012, he split his season between AAA and MLB, making his debut for the Astros. His first two seasons were rough, as Keuchel combined for a 5.20 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP over 239 innings over the two seasons with a 91/161 BB/K ratio.

He had his breakthrough year in 2014, going 12-9 with a 2.93 ERA, tossing 200 innings with a 1.18 WHIP, and a 48/146 BB/K ratio. That was followed by the best season of Keuchel’s career in 2015. He made his first All-Star team, going 20-8, leading the American League with 232 innings and a 1.02 WHIP and posting a 2.48 ERA and a 51/216 BB/K ratio. Keuchel was selected as the Cy Young Award winner after the season.

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