On a pitching staff, the glamour positions seem to be the starting rotation and the closer. But someone has to step in if a starter is ineffective and take some innings for the team to keep them in the game. For the 2009 Shorebirds, it seems like T.R. Keating has inherited that job and does it pretty well.
While he has taken the loss in his last two appearances (Sunday against Hagerstown and last night at Lake County), by no means was he completely ineffective – allowing 2 earned runs in a combined 4 2/3 innings isn’t exactly being blown off the mound. He’s been the beneficiary of Shorebird bats at times too so his won-lost record stands even at 5-5.
For the overall season Keating is pitching pretty well and what sticks out is his stinginess with walks, allowing just 9 in 43 2/3 innings pitched. When you factor in that T.R. has allowed only 31 hits in that stretch, the 0.92 WHIP almost belies his ERA of 3.50 – seems like the few runners he allows on somehow score at a higher-than-normal clip.
Keating, whose given name is Travis Reid Keating, hails from Colorado (attending the University of Northern Colorado) and would probably be classified as an “organization player” given his low position in the draft. Last year the Orioles picked him in the 34th round and assigned him to Bluefield where he was 2-1 with a 3.45 ERA in 13 relief appearances covering 28 2/3 innings.
But since the numbers here are pretty similar it’s possible the 23-year-old Keating could get a chance to make the jump to Frederick next season. Obviously his control is an asset but the question will be whether it holds true as he advances in the organization and faces more patient hitters.
For now, however, T.R. is a guy who comes out and does the job he’s assigned to do without making the headlines. Unsung heroes can make a team better and as long as Keating can keep the opposition at bay and give the team a chance to win he’ll attract the notice of the Orioles brass.
Michael- I wanted to ask you… The night that the Republicans and Democrats were are the Shorebirds game last week… What happened that the Manager made such a display on the field?