Colten
Keith

Arizona State recruit, Keith, has strong forearms and lower-half allow him to aggressively work through the zone on an uphill path, and his power potential is clearly evident.

6/5/18 - Arizona State Commit. 3B/RHP Colten Keith came into the event as the top-rated player in Arizona and did nothing to change that. His 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame continues to mature and add strength, which has allowed his tools to steadily improve since we first discovered him last winter. Keith turned in a 6.69 60-yard dash, 87 mph exit velo, 87 mph infield velo and 90 mph outfield velo, all tops at the event except for on the infield where he was bested by 2 mph. Despite a very high leg-lick, he shows a natural ability to be on time with the baseball and make loud contact to all fields, even driving the ball hard to LF some during his round of BP. Keith was also the best we've seen him on the mound, repeatedly touching 90 mph during his inning of work with a short, quick arm action. His breaking ball has developing into more of a true curveball at 72-76 mph with sharp 11-5 break and we also saw a soft 72 mph changeup in warm-ups. As a pro prospect Keith is likely a 3B/RF with elite bat speed who could hit in the middle of any lineup as a potential high draft pick, but if he makes it to school there's no question he's a legitimate two-way option.

1/28/18 - The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has an athletic frame with wiry strength throughout, and looks like he will pack on much more muscle in the future. He began the day by running an impressive, 6.71 60-yard dash to show off his speed, and later threw 89 mph across the infield and produced an exit velocity of 94 mph. However, it was his work in the game that stood out to me. At the plate, Keith features a large leg kick with his hands held high and work down and back throughout a load before working quickly uphill to the ball with advanced strength for his age. Especially at his young age, it can be difficult to time up a leg kick that big, but Keith is athletic enough to make it work. Even when falling behind in the count, he was able to get his foot down on time against some quality pitching. Because of this, I think he will be able to make the necessary adjustments, in the future, as he continues to face higher level arms. His strong arm will give him a chance to stick on the infield, likely at a corner spot where he will be sure-handed. With his speed, Keith may also have a chance to shift to an outfield spot. Either way, his bat should play, and there is likely even more power coming soon. Making himself an even more valuable recruit, Keith sat 86-88 with a fastball that rode through the zone. He exhibits a quicker, strong arm, and shows the ability to throw strikes. Though still very early in the season, Keith also featured a slurve-type breaking ball at 72-73 that had tight rotation and took more 10/4 shape. The pitch has a chance to be a swing and miss offering in the future as he continues to refine it. Additionally, he showcases a knuckleball (68-69) and changeup (79-81). Overall, the prospect of getting two players (pitcher/position) in one should make Keith a highly coveted recruit moving forward.

12/27/17 - Keith was a virtual unknown to scouts and recruiters prior to this event. That all changed in a matter of hours. The physical 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect has sloping shoulders and proportional strength. Everything he did on the day was fast twitch and Keith established himself as one of the elite 2020 prospects in Arizona if not the country. A legitimate two-way player, Keith has high-end tools as a pitcher and third basemen. Offensively, the ball flies off his bat, using a very high leg-lick and high back elbow, generating elite bat speed from the left side. His 94 mph exit velocity is the highest we have recorded in AZ for a 2020 prospect. Defensively profiles as third baseman, feet work well, putting him in position to show off a present grade 50 arm with outstanding carry; 87 mph infield velo. Also turned in 6.99 60-yard dash. On the mound he uses a compact delivery with high leg lift and relatively short stride. Throws from high ¾ slot with short arm stroke, getting on top of the ball quickly in back before showing elite arm speed. Worked 86-87 mph with his heavy fastball, touching 88. Also showed a 70-73 mph slurve that flashed tight rotation and hard, late break, if somewhat inconsistent. Best secondary offering was sinking 79-81 mph changeup thrown with great arm speed. Also mixed in a 70-72 mph knuckleball for good measure. Keith will be featured prominently when we update our 2020 rankings in February.