- Full name Keaton Allen McKinney
- Born 01/03/1996 in Ankeny, IA
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Arkansas
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Drafted in the 28th round (835th overall) by the New York Mets in 2014.
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McKinney, a two-way player as a first baseman and righthander for Team USA, drove in the game-winning run in the 18U World Cup title game against Japan. Despite his aptitude with the bat, his pro future lies on the mound as a big, physical righthander with strike-throwing ability and an out-pitch changeup. McKinney has an extra-large frame and strong, physical build at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds. He has a whip-like arm action and the ball jumps out of his hand with some deception. McKinney, pitching in the Iowa Perfect Game League this spring, has touched 94 mph with his velocity ranging from 87-93, sitting around 89-92. His fastball plays up with downhill plane and plus life, and heavy arm-side run. McKinney was taught his changeup by fellow Iowan Jeremy Hellickson and the pitch is one of the best in the high school ranks. He has tremendous feel for the changeup, which grades at least plus, and he gets heavy usage out of it. His curveball has flashed average but consistently plays below that. The pitch can morph into a slider at the higher end of its velocity range. The Arkansas commit is a strike-thrower who has the potential for at least average control. He does have an elbow lift in the back that scouts are not fond of. The whole package adds up to a starter skill set and he has a chance to go in the top three to four rounds.
Top Rankings
Draft Prospects
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McKinney, a two-way player as a first baseman and righthander for Team USA, drove in the game-winning run in the 18U World Cup title game against Japan. Despite his aptitude with the bat, his pro future lies on the mound as a big, physical righthander with strike-throwing ability and an out-pitch changeup. McKinney has an extra-large frame and strong, physical build at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds. He has a whip-like arm action and the ball jumps out of his hand with some deception. McKinney, pitching in the Iowa Perfect Game League this spring, has touched 94 mph with his velocity ranging from 87-93, sitting around 89-92. His fastball plays up with downhill plane and plus life, and heavy arm-side run. McKinney was taught his changeup by fellow Iowan Jeremy Hellickson and the pitch is one of the best in the high school ranks. He has tremendous feel for the changeup, which grades at least plus, and he gets heavy usage out of it. His curveball has flashed average but consistently plays below that. The pitch can morph into a slider at the higher end of its velocity range. The Arkansas commit is a strike-thrower who has the potential for at least average control. He does have an elbow lift in the back that scouts are not fond of. The whole package adds up to a starter skill set and he has a chance to go in the top three to four rounds.
