Perrotto: Stark Contrast Between ’19 Mitch Keller, ’23 Mitch Keller (+)

It is fitting that the Pittsburgh Pirates will open the season in Cincinnati with Mitch Keller on the mound.

Keller will be pitching on March 30 against the Reds at Great American Ball Park, the site of his major league debut on May 27, 2019. Pirates manager Derek Shelton picked Keller to pitch the opener earlier this week.

There is a vast difference between the Keller of 2019 and 2023.

Back on that Memorial Day evening in Cincinnati, Keller looked overwhelmed when he took the mound.