UWM's Keller Tabbed by New York Yankees in MLB Draft

Brian Keller of the Milwaukee baseball team was selected by the New York Yankees in the Major League Baseball Draft Saturday.

Keller was selected in the 39th round, pick No. 1178.

"I have been dreaming of this moment since I was in Little League," Keller said. "I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity that the Yankees have given me. I owe it to the Yankees organization and to the game of baseball to give it my all, and I'm excited to see what the future has in store."

Keller, a 6-foot, 3-inch senior right-hander who can throw four different pitches for strikes, has been a key part of the weekend rotation for the past three years. He had arguably the best season for any starting pitcher in program history this spring.

Named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Year and First-Team All-Conference, he became the first Panther pitcher to ever record 10 victories in a single season.

"We are so happy for Brian," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "He worked his tail off to get this opportunity. I know he will represent his organization and himself in a first-class manner."

Keller finished 10-3 with a 3.10 ERA in 2016, making 15 starts on the year. He led the league in strikeouts with 103, breaking the UWM single-season record of 95. His 107.1 innings pitched also broke the school record of 106.2. In addition, his 10 wins in a row eclipsed the school mark of eight that had stood since 2000.

His 10 victories also tied for the conference lead and he finished second in innings pitched and fifth in earned run average. In addition, he threw three shutouts, four complete games and went 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA in league play.

For his career, he leaves as the all-time strikeout leader with 239. He also holds the school record for innings pitched at 321.0, while finishing fifth in both career victories (18) and ERA (3.70).

Keller becomes the 18th Milwaukee baseball player all-time to be drafted and the first by the Yankees. The Panthers have now had nine players get drafted since 2011.