Keller selected to 2023 All-Star Game roster

PITTSBURGH -- Mitch Keller teared up just thinking about the honor.

The Pirates' right-handed starting pitcher was selected to his first All-Star Game on Sunday. He will be part of the National League squad on July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

• MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: July 11 on FOX

“It’s emotional,” Keller said. “It’s really cool.”

Keller found out about his selection prior to Sunday’s game against the Brewers at PNC Park. He is scheduled to pitch Monday night against the Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium.

“A lot of hard work, a lot of people supporting me along the way,” Keller said. “Family, coaches, teammates, probably a lot of people I’m missing. Just everybody the past couple years. It’s really cool. Really cool moment.”

Keller’s journey to earning his first career All-Star nomination wasn’t easy.

From 2019 to 2021, Keller had a 6.02 ERA across 170 1/3 innings. Midway through the 2021 season, Keller was demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis.

• Here are the 2023 All-Star rosters

Keller, fresh off rediscovering his velocity, pitched well during Spring Training but struggled in his first handful of starts and was temporarily moved to the bullpen. Upon rejoining the rotation, Keller finally turned potential into production.

With the addition of a sinker and sweeper, Keller had a 3.22 ERA across 120 1/3 innings in his final 22 starts of the 2022 season. Keller finished with career-bests in ERA (3.91), FIP (3.88), innings (159) and strikeouts (138).

This season, Keller, who added a cutter to his mix as well, has built on the progress he made last season. In 17 starts, Keller has a 3.34 ERA and 3.24 FIP with 118 strikeouts across 105 innings. In mid-May, Keller was named National League Player of the Week after shutting out the Rockies, then striking out 13 batters across seven shutout innings against the Orioles.

Keller was asked if the All-Star selection was validation for all the work he has put in during recent years.

“To be recognized is really cool. I guess validation, I don’t know," Keller said. "As soon as you say you made it, the game will humble you right back. Just trying to stay the same guy. Really cool recognition. Just super proud of myself and everybody else who has helped me along the way."

Pirates manager Derek Shelton, who will be on the NL coaching staff, was hoping some of his other players would make it but is thrilled for Keller.

“He deserves to be on this team,” Shelton said. “I do think we have some other people that do deserve to be on this team. I think it’s unfortunate that we’re in a situation where we only have one, but Mitch deserves to be on this team.”

MLB.com reporter Justice delos Santos contributed to this report.