Bob Keppel

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #25 prospect in 2005
  Only a year ago, Keppel was considered one of the top pitching prospects in the organization. But injuries continue to bother the former high school basketball star, who could have played hoops at Notre Dame had he not signed for $895,000. He missed time in 2003 with a strained forearm, then had to skip the Arizona Fall League because of a stiff shoulder. Shoulder tendinitis flared up again in spring training last year, forcing Keppel to get off to a late start to the season. He missed further time in August and was shut down a week early. When healthy, he has a 90-91 mph fastball that touches 93, a major league changeup and a curveball and slider that are less advanced. Limited by his shoulder, Keppel had only one month of effectiveness in a rough introduction to Triple-A. He never has missed many bats but was absolutely tattooed in Triple-A, where opponents hit .304 against him. If he's healthy, Keppel's feel for pitching and solid stuff should be enough to allow him to succeed, but he has to prove that his shoulder is sound. He skipped instructional league again and the Mets hope he'll be healthy for spring training.
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  Ranked New York Mets #7 prospect in 2004
  As a junior point guard, Keppel led DeSmet High to its first Missouri state title, and he almost ended up playing basketball at Notre Dame. He threw the first regular-season no-hitter in Binghamton franchise history in August. Despite lacking a true plus pitch, Keppel held his own as a 21-year-old in Double-A. One scout compared him with John VanBenschoten of the Pirates, largely because of Keppel's uncanny ability to make the right pitch at the right time. His 90-91 mph fastball touches 94, though it's more effective and has better movement when he throws it free and easy. His changeup is a major league pitch. Keppel's slider is solid but inconsistent. His curveball isn't as advanced as his other three pitches. He throws strikes, but the Mets want to see better command. After missing a month in 2003 with a strained forearm, he was supposed to get work in the Arizona Fall League but had to be shut down with shoulder stiffness. Keppel should be fine by spring training. He's ticketed for Triple-A and could make his major league debut later in 2004.
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  Ranked New York Mets #9 prospect in 2003
  Keppel has put together back-to-back steady performances in his first two full seasons in pro ball since signing as the 36th overall pick in 2000. One of the youngest starting pitchers in the Florida State League last year, he led the St. Lucie staff in starts and innings while ranking second in wins. Keppel has impressive poise, a solid repertoire and good command of all his pitches. He has good sinking action on his low-90s fastball and throws it to both sides of the plate. He also throws his changeup for strikes and has made significant progress over the past year with his curveball. The Mets appreciate Keppel's maturity and work ethic. Keppel needs to continue developing his secondary pitches by locating them better within the strike zone. He can lose the feel for his curve on occasion. His slider continues to look like a cutter at times and hasn't been as consistent as it was earlier in his career. Keppel's progress is unmistakable and encouraging, which could lead to bigger things in a hurry. A move to Double-A is on his immediate horizon.
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  Ranked New York Mets #18 prospect in 2002
  Keppel showed good poise, outstanding command and the ability to work both sides of the plate in his first full season in the pro ranks to emerge as the steadiest starter at Capital City last year. He gained more consistency with his low-90s fastball, which features excellent sinking action. He also threw his changeup for strikes and made encouraging progress with his developing curveball. The lone negative was his slider, which had been his best pitch the year before. He started gripping the pitch too hard, thereby making it more of a flat cutter than a slider, though he appeared to have regained his feel for the pitch during instructional league. The 36th overall pick in the 2000 draft, Keppel has done an impressive job of putting together a solid repertoire and could be on the verge of a breakout season this year in high Class A.
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  Ranked New York Mets #25 prospect in 2001
  Keppel could have been on the roster for Notre Dame's basketball team but chose to play professional baseball instead. He was inconsistent after joining Kingsport midway through the 2000 season, and some of the league's managers weren't impressed by what they saw. But he showed an aptitude for three pitches, throwing a sinking, low-90s fastball, a good slider and an average changeup. The slider was his most effective pitch by the end of the summer, which wasn't bad considering the knock on him before the draft was his breaking stuff. With his frame, the Mets project him to add velocity in time. Keppel lacks strength now but has the potential to be a No. 2 starter in the big leagues.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked National League #15 prospect in 2000
  Keppel was inconsistent after joining Kingsport midway through the season, and some managers weren't impressed by what they saw. But he showed an aptitude for three pitches, throwing a sinking, low-90s fastball, a good slider and an average changeup. The slider was his most effective pitch by the end of the summer, which wasn't bad considering the knock on him before the draft was his breaking stuff. With his frame the Mets project him to add velocity in time. "His body's not that strong right now, but he's going to be a big boy," Alfonzo said. "He's a potential No. 2 starter in the big leagues."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Keppel was inconsistent after joining Kingsport midway through the season, and some managers weren't impressed by what they saw. But he showed an aptitude for three pitches, throwing a sinking, low-90s fastball, a good slider and an average changeup. The slider was his most effective pitch by the end of the summer, which wasn't bad considering the knock on him before the draft was his breaking stuff. With his frame the Mets project him to add velocity in time. "His body's not that strong right now, but he's going to be a big boy," Alfonzo said. "He's a potential No. 2 starter in the big leagues."