Randy Keisler
Encyclopedia
Randy Dean Keisler is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
who is currently a free agent. He attended Palmer High School in Palmer, Texas
and Louisiana State University
.
in the 2nd round of the 1998 MLB Draft out of LSU. He had previously been drafted by the Cleveland Indians
in the 40th round of the 1995 MLB Draft and the 57th round of the 1996 MLB Draft
and the New York Mets
in the 40th round of the 1997 MLB Draft but did not sign with either of those teams. He signed with the Yankees on June 2, 1998. He was selected as the Yankees Minor League player of the Year in 2000 when he was a combined 14-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 28 starts for Double-A Norwich and AAA Columbus
.
Keisler made his Major League debut with the Yankees on September 10, 2000 against the Boston Red Sox
, starting and pitching five innings to earn the win while allowing only one earned run. He appeared in 3 more games for the Yankees in 2000 out of the bullpen and then started 10 games for them in 2001. In his two seasons of part-time work he was 2-2 with a 7.19 ERA. He then missed the entire 2002 season while recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent in late 2001. In May 2002, Keisler, already on rehab with the shoulder injury, suffered a strange injury. While gardening, Keisler was bitten by a pygmy rattlesnake in his backyard. The Yankees released him in February, 2003.
on February 16, 2003 and made two starts with the Padres, while also appearing in 8 games (6 starts) for the AAA Portland Beavers
. The Padres released him on June 5, 2003.
on June 16, 2003 and appeared in 5 games (2 starts) for the AAA Oklahoma RedHawks
before he was released on July 14. Three days later he was signed by the Houston Astros
and assigned to AAA New Orleans
. He made nine starts and was 2-3 with a 4.28 ERA before becoming a free agent at the end of the season.
on February 17, 2004 and played the 2004 season with the AAA Norfolk Tides
. He was 6-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 21 starts for the Tides.
as a free agent on November 12, 2004 and began the season with the AAA Louisville Bats
where he was 5-2 in 12 appearances (7 starts) for a 2.88 ERA. He returned to the Majors on May 24 and made 24 appearances for the Reds in 2005, including 4 starts for a 2-1 record and 6.27 ERA.
signed him as a free agent on January 5, 2006 and he made 11 appearances (all out of the bullpen for the A's in 2006, with a 4.50 era and no record. He also made 25 appearances (16 starts) for the Sacramento River Cats
in the Pacific Coast League
, where he was 9-5 with a 3.83 ERA.
on November 16, 2006 but only made 4 appearances with the Cardinals, 3 of which were starts he finished 0-0 with a 5.19 ERA. He also made 24 starts for the AAA Memphis Redbirds
and was 8-11 with a 4.79 ERA for the Redbirds.
on January 11, , but was released during spring training
and signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs
. On June 3, he opted out of his contract and on June 10, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles
. In 2008 he was a combined 6-9 with a 4.03 ERA in 20 starts for the Iowa Cubs
and Norfolk Tides
.
in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
and in 2010 he played for the Vaqueros Laguna
in the Mexican League.
and was signed to a Minor League contract He was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
, where he appeared in 23 games (19 starts) and was 7-7 with a 4.67 ERA.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is currently a free agent. He attended Palmer High School in Palmer, Texas
Palmer, Texas
Palmer is a town in Ellis County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,774 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Palmer is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
and Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
.
New York Yankees
Keisler was drafted by the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 2nd round of the 1998 MLB Draft out of LSU. He had previously been drafted by the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in the 40th round of the 1995 MLB Draft and the 57th round of the 1996 MLB Draft
1996 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1996 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 4 and 5, 1996...
and the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the 40th round of the 1997 MLB Draft but did not sign with either of those teams. He signed with the Yankees on June 2, 1998. He was selected as the Yankees Minor League player of the Year in 2000 when he was a combined 14-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 28 starts for Double-A Norwich and AAA Columbus
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
.
Keisler made his Major League debut with the Yankees on September 10, 2000 against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, starting and pitching five innings to earn the win while allowing only one earned run. He appeared in 3 more games for the Yankees in 2000 out of the bullpen and then started 10 games for them in 2001. In his two seasons of part-time work he was 2-2 with a 7.19 ERA. He then missed the entire 2002 season while recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent in late 2001. In May 2002, Keisler, already on rehab with the shoulder injury, suffered a strange injury. While gardening, Keisler was bitten by a pygmy rattlesnake in his backyard. The Yankees released him in February, 2003.
San Diego Padres
Keisler signed as a free agent with the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on February 16, 2003 and made two starts with the Padres, while also appearing in 8 games (6 starts) for the AAA Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
. The Padres released him on June 5, 2003.
Texas Rangers/Houston Astros
He signed as a free agent with the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
on June 16, 2003 and appeared in 5 games (2 starts) for the AAA Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
before he was released on July 14. Three days later he was signed by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and assigned to AAA New Orleans
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
. He made nine starts and was 2-3 with a 4.28 ERA before becoming a free agent at the end of the season.
New York Mets
Keisler signed as a free agent with the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
on February 17, 2004 and played the 2004 season with the AAA Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
. He was 6-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 21 starts for the Tides.
Cincinnati Reds
He signed with the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
as a free agent on November 12, 2004 and began the season with the AAA Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
where he was 5-2 in 12 appearances (7 starts) for a 2.88 ERA. He returned to the Majors on May 24 and made 24 appearances for the Reds in 2005, including 4 starts for a 2-1 record and 6.27 ERA.
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
signed him as a free agent on January 5, 2006 and he made 11 appearances (all out of the bullpen for the A's in 2006, with a 4.50 era and no record. He also made 25 appearances (16 starts) for the Sacramento River Cats
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, where he was 9-5 with a 3.83 ERA.
St. Louis Cardinals
He signed with the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on November 16, 2006 but only made 4 appearances with the Cardinals, 3 of which were starts he finished 0-0 with a 5.19 ERA. He also made 24 starts for the AAA Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
and was 8-11 with a 4.79 ERA for the Redbirds.
Minnesota Twins/Chicago Cubs/Baltimore Orioles
Keisler signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on January 11, , but was released during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
and signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. On June 3, he opted out of his contract and on June 10, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. In 2008 he was a combined 6-9 with a 4.03 ERA in 20 starts for the Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
and Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
.
2009/2010
Unable to sign with any Major League or affiliated minor league team after the 2008 season, he played in 2009 for the Southern Maryland Blue CrabsSouthern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs is an American professional baseball team based in Waldorf, Maryland. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2008 season...
in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
and in 2010 he played for the Vaqueros Laguna
Vaqueros Laguna
The Vaqueros Laguna are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League.- History :The team was established in 1940 under the name Algodoneros de Unión Laguna. It did not take long for their first league pennant since in 1942 under the command of Martin Dihigo they won both the Zona Norte...
in the Mexican League.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On March 3, 2011 he attended an open tryout, sponsored by the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and was signed to a Minor League contract He was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
, where he appeared in 23 games (19 starts) and was 7-7 with a 4.67 ERA.