MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Former Milwaukee baseball player Brian Keller (2013-16) has signed a professional contract to play baseball for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball, the highest level of baseball in Japan.
 
"Brian has done nothing but prove he deserves a chance at the highest level of baseball," head coach Scott Doffek commented. "It is to no surprise of ours that he has performed the way he has in pro ball. This is an amazing opportunity for him to support his family and go out show the world what he can do. We couldn't be prouder."
 
Keller, the 2016 Horizon League Pitcher of the Year, was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 39th round of the MLB Draft in 2016 and was selected in Major League Baseball's Rule 5 Draft by the Boston Red Sox in 2019.
 
Keller has put together an impressive resume in the minors, owning a 3.18 earned run average across six seasons. The Germantown, Wis. native piled up 575 strikeouts in 554.1 innings of work and earned 34 victories.
 
Keller had an impressive career with the Panthers, racking up 18 wins and 239 strikeouts in 60 appearances. As a senior in 2016, Keller finished 10-3 with a 3.10 earned run average and 103 strikeouts in 107.1 innings of work as he was named Pitcher of the Year.