"Keller, who received interest from several clubs this off-season, including the Toronto Blue Jays, prior to signing Tyler Rogers, had previously worked as a starter before becoming a multi-inning reliever in 2024. That transition was met with immense struggles, though, leading to a 5.44 ERA and 5.68 FIP with an 8.9 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%) across 41.1 combined innings split between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox, worth a career-worst minus-0.4 fWAR."
"The veteran hurler witnessed a major uptick in his fastball velocity, averaging 97.2 m.p.h. in 2025 - an increase of over three ticks from '24 - and ranked in the 88th percentile of the majors. He also increased the usage of his mid-80s sweeper, which generated a swing and miss nearly half the time, while opponents mustered a .067 AVG against it."
Brad Keller agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies after emerging as a high-leverage reliever. He drew interest from multiple clubs following a career that included starting roles and a difficult 2024 relief transition marked by a 5.44 ERA and 5.68 FIP across 41.1 innings. In 2025 with the Cubs he increased fastball velocity to 97.2 mph, heavily used a mid-80s sweeper that produced frequent swings-and-misses, and limited opponents to a .067 average on that pitch. He finished 2025 with a 2.07 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 19.2% K-BB%, 25 holds, three saves, elite ground-ball and low hard-hit rates.
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