Stellar Keller: Pitcher honored by SAL

Charleston, WV (August 30, 2016) -  The South Atlantic League has announced the selection of the 2016 Annual All-Star Team. The West Virginia Power's Mitch Keller was selected for two honors as voted on by the league's field managers, coaches, general managers, sportswriters and media relations directors. Keller was chosen as the best right-handed pitcher and Most Outstanding Pitcher in the South Atlantic League this season.

Keller, a native of Cedar Rapids, IA, was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. After pitching for the GCL Pirates in 2014 and the Bristol Pirates in 2015, the 20 year-old shined for West Virginia this season, going 8-5 with the league's second-best earned run average to date at 2.46.

Keller struck out 131 batters this season and only walked 18 over 23 starts spanning 124 and a third innings pitched. His 0.92 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was not only the lowest in the South Atlantic League, but also the lowest among qualifiers among all full season teams regardless of level, including Major League Baseball. Keller's 131 strikeouts are third-most in a single season in West Virginia Power history.

Keller is joined on this annual list by the league's Most Valuable Player, Asheville's Brian Mundell, and the league's Most Outstanding Major League Prospect, Asheville's Brendan Rodgers.

Asheville led all South Atlantic League clubs with three players honored. The Delmarva Shorebirds, Greenville Drive, Hagerstown Suns and Lakewood BlueClaws each placed two players on the team. Charleston and Greensboro joined West Virginia with one representative on the All-Star Team.

For more information on this honor, please contact the Power front office at (304) 344-2287.