Seth Keener Stats & Scouting Report

IP	5
ERA	12.6
WHIP	2.4
BB/9	7.2
SO/9	12.6

Full name Seth Keener
Born 10/04/2001 in Pequannock, NJ
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Wake Forest
Drafted in the 3rd round (84th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2023 (signed for $800,000).

View Draft Report

School: Wake Forest Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
BA Grade:40/High
Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.

Keener struggled with control in his first two seasons with Wake Forest, but still managed to log plenty of time on the mound as a sophomore in 2022, when he posted a 5.87 ERA over 53.2 innings—split between starting and relieving. He took a big step forward in 2023 while pitching mostly out of the bullpen and posted a 1.79 ERA through 60.1 innings, with a 33.7% strikeout rate and 6.3% walk rate. One of his best outings of the season came in a start against George Mason in NCAA regional play, where Keener threw seven shutout innings with 13 strikeouts and no walks. Listed at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Keener has a three-pitch mix with a fastball that sits 93-94 and has been up to 97, but he has primarily thrown a mid-80s slider. The breaking ball had a 41% usage rate this spring and has sharp two-plane break that gets lots of chases out of the zone—though he also can land it for strikes at a high clip. On top of the fastball/slider combination, Keener also throws a firm, upper-80s changeup that was a consistent bat-misser as well. Given Keener’s solid athleticism, control, three-pitch mix and projectable frame it would be unsurprising for a team to try him as a starter in pro ball. He fits as a top-five round talent given his strong 2023 campaign.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Keener spent three seasons at Wake Forest, where he pitched mostly out of the bullpen before breaking out in the 2022 Cape Cod League and then during his junior year in 2023. With the deep pitching staff at Wake Forest, Keener got just eight starts in 23 games in his final college season. He posted a 2.69 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 20 walks in 70.1 innings. The White Sox grabbed him in the third round in 2023, signing him for $800,000, and he began his pro career with four games at Rookie-level Arizona Complex League followed by three starts at Low-A Kannapolis.

Scouting Report: Keener has a three-pitch mix with a fastball that sits 93-94 mph and has been up to 97 with above-average life. His primary pitch is an above-average mid-80s slider that he used around 40% of the time in his final season at Wake Forest. His slider has sharp, two-plane break and gets lots of chases out of the zone, though he also can land it for strikes at a high clip. On top of the fastball/slider combination, Keener uses a firm, upper-80s changeup that also gets swings and misses.

The Future: Keener’s athleticism, control, three-pitch mix and projectable frame indicate that he can make it as a starter. With his college experience, he could jump right to High-A Winston-Salem out of spring training in 2024. He’ll continue his professional career as a starter, with a move to the bullpen always a possibility in the future.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

Draft Prospects

School: Wake Forest Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.8
BA Grade:40/High
Tools:Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.

Keener struggled with control in his first two seasons with Wake Forest, but still managed to log plenty of time on the mound as a sophomore in 2022, when he posted a 5.87 ERA over 53.2 innings—split between starting and relieving. He took a big step forward in 2023 while pitching mostly out of the bullpen and posted a 1.79 ERA through 60.1 innings, with a 33.7% strikeout rate and 6.3% walk rate. One of his best outings of the season came in a start against George Mason in NCAA regional play, where Keener threw seven shutout innings with 13 strikeouts and no walks. Listed at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Keener has a three-pitch mix with a fastball that sits 93-94 and has been up to 97, but he has primarily thrown a mid-80s slider. The breaking ball had a 41% usage rate this spring and has sharp two-plane break that gets lots of chases out of the zone—though he also can land it for strikes at a high clip. On top of the fastball/slider combination, Keener also throws a firm, upper-80s changeup that was a consistent bat-misser as well. Given Keener’s solid athleticism, control, three-pitch mix and projectable frame it would be unsurprising for a team to try him as a starter in pro ball. He fits as a top-five round talent given his strong 2023 campaign.