University of Arkansas left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who led the Razorbacks to two wins in the 2009 College World Series, was selected by the Houston Astros in the seventh round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft. (AP Photo/Ted Kirk)
University of Arkansas junior Dallas Keuchel's strong work ethic, self-discipline and overall determination makes him an ideal leader on and off the field.
The 21-year-old Razorback left-hander, out of Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa, Okla., demonstrates an unselfish passion toward the game of baseball.
Prior to the NCAA Norman Regional, Arkansas spent the previous month fading in the national rankings.
In early April, the Razorbacks were ranked No. 1 in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's NCAA Division I poll.
Despite beating the No. 9 Florida Gators twice in the SEC tournament, Georgia and Vanderbilt handed Arkansas two losses to eliminate Dave Van Horn's squad.
After the SEC tournament, the Razorbacks entered Regionals looking to regroup and establish some type of consistency.
During postseason play, Arkansas revealed the character of a true championship-caliber team. They no longer resembled a team looking to discover their identity.
Instead, Arkansas emerged as one of the most dangerous teams in college baseball by sweeping the NCAA Norman Regional, and advancing to the NCAA Super Regional in Tallahassee.
Fate played a major role in Arkansas' tournament run as the Razorbacks defeated Florida State twice to advance to the College World Series for the sixth time in school history. Van Horn's club became just the ninth team in NCAA history to earn a berth to the College World Series without hosting a Regional or Super Regional.
Defining leadership
Within the past week, Keuchel showed the nation at the 2009 College World Series in Omaha that winners want the ball with the game on the line. Van Horn felt confident giving the ball to his ace in Game 1 against the No. 2-seeded Cal State Fullerton Titans.
Keuchel kicked off the College World Series by leading the Razorbacks to a decisive 10-6 victory.
He allowed four runs on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts over six innings to earn his eighth win of the season. The Razorback offense provided Keuchel with tremendous run support, including an explosive five-run fourth inning.
After Game 1, No. 3-seeded LSU ended Arkansas' six-game winning streak June 15 with a 9-1 victory. The loss forced the Razorbacks into an elimination game two days later against Virginia.
Considered one of the best games of the 2009 College World Series, Arkansas proved how the course of a game can change all the way down to the last strike.
Center fielder Brett Eibner, the Astros' fourth-round pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, crushed a game-tying, two-run homer in the top of the ninth, while senior outfielder Andrew Darr drilled the go-ahead double in the 12th, to lead the Razorbacks to a thrilling and dramatic 4-3 victory.
During the final four innings, the nation watched as Keuchel's talent, years of hard work and the thrill of the moment collided to make him a dangerous, unstoppable force.
Van Horn turned to his ace in the bottom of the ninth with the hope of forcing extra innings against a Virginia squad who had posted a 45-1 record when leading after eight innings.
In his first relief appearance of the season, Keuchel was not about to let anything stop him on his day of glory. He battled through several jams, putting runners on third in each of his four innings of work.
After everything the Razorbacks had gone through this season, Keuchel refused to let a Virginia baserunner cross home plate. He fought like a warrior, managing to escape each time with a scoreless inning.
In the broadcast booth, former MLB standout pitcher Orel Hershiser praised Keuchel for his poise and maturity.
The emotional victory kept Arkansas' World Series title hopes alive. In order to advance to the best-of-three finals, the Razorbacks needed to defeat LSU in two straight games. The Tigers, who ultimately won the 2009 College World Series, eliminated Arkansas June 19 with a 14-5 win.
Steal of the draft
Astros assistant general manager Bobby Heck, the team's scouting director, relies on his regional scouts to discover and evaluate potential draft picks. Based on Arkansas regional scout Jim Stevenson's recommendation, Houston drafted Keuchel in the seventh round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Draft.
Leading up to the Draft, the Razorback ace put together a solid junior season. Ironically, Keuchel's greatest success occurred after the Draft in the College World Series. It's realistic to believe he may have been a higher pick had the College World Series took place earlier.
Heck recognizes that Keuchel might be the steal of the Draft for the Astros organization.
Only first-round pick Jiovanni Mier, Bonita HS (Calif.), and Keuchel remain unsigned among the Astros first 10-round picks. Mier informed MLB.com Wednesday afternoon that he's reached an agreement with the Astros, which includes a $1.3 million bonus.
Now, Heck will likely shift his focus toward signing Keuchel.
Currently, he has signed 33 out of the team's 51 draft picks, not including Mier, who is scheduled to take a physical Friday at Minute Maid Park.
Recently, Keuchel spoke with Houston Astros Examiner Stephen Goff about being drafted by the Astros, his positive influences, experiences at Arkansas, the Cape Cod League, the 2009 College World Series and his current situation as an unsigned draft pick.
Q: Were you expecting the Houston Astros to draft you, or did it catch you off guard?
A: Actually, it was a great surprise. I expected either the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets or San Francisco Giants to draft me. I was very happy when I found out the Astros selected me.
Q: How did you find out the Astros drafted you?
A: We had practice at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, the second day of the MLB Draft. Afterward, I checked my cell phone and had four or five messages from friends saying congratulations. My advisor out of Little Rock, who represents Cliff Lee and A.J. Burnett, called and told me the great news.
Q: Who are some of your favorite baseball players?
A: I grew up a big-time Atlanta Braves fan. In fact, former Braves catcher Charlie O'Brien is one of our family friends in Tulsa. I looked up to Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz. Out of the three, Smoltz is my favorite. I wear No. 29 because of him.
Q: Describe your parents' positive influence on your career?
A: My dad was my pitching coach as a kid. He laid the foundation for me. I never threw hard growing up, but I could always locate. We worked together in the backyard all the time. Also, my mom, who was a great high school catcher, used to catch me. I always wanted to be a good hitter, and she would throw me wiffle balls. I'm proud to say she could never strike me out.
Q: How did your success at Bishop Kelley HS prepare you for college?
A: I come from a competitive sports program in high school. We won two state championships in baseball during my sophomore and senior year. I balanced both baseball and football. I was an All-5A East quarterback, and was recruited to play football at the University of Tulsa. I decided to concentrate on baseball in college.
Q: Which schools recruited you, and how did you decide on the Univ. of Arkansas?
A: I narrowed it down to Arkansas, Long Beach State and University of South Carolina. I decided on Arkansas so I could play in the SEC and try to make the College World Series. Being from Tulsa, I wanted my parents to have the opportunity to watch me play. They spent money on me to develop my baseball skills as a youngster. I wanted to thank them by playing closer to home.
Q: Describe the honor of playing summer ball in the prestigious Cape Cod League?
A: I had the honor of playing for the Wareham Gatemen over two summers. The history of the Gatemen and the Cape Cod League is tremendous. Major leaguers such as Chuck Knoblauch and Barry Zito all played for the Gatemen. It was my goal to become an All-Star in the league. I was fortunate to achieve that goal when I was named to the West All-Star team.
Q: How do you go about scouting opponents, especially in the SEC?
A: I keep a notebook on every hitter I face whenever I pitch. I write down what pitches a hitter can hit or not hit against me. In the SEC, we play every team several times during the year. I use my notebooks as references. I memorize them, and I know what pitches to throw or not throw to a particular hitter.
Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a pitcher?
A: I'm a groundball pitcher. My curveball is my best pitch. Also, I throw a good four-seam fastball and work the changeup. I can throw a dominant slider, set up by a first pitch strike. My two-seam sinker has better movement this year because of what I've learned from my pitching coach Dave Jorn. Being able to throw a first pitch strike is both a strength and weakness. This is still something I need to work on. Also, I tend to get picky and nibble at the corners.
Q: You excelled at the 2009 College World Series, making youself a household name to college baseball fans. Describe your lifelong memories of the entire experience?
A: I'll always remember the grittiness of our team. Our group was a special team to watch, and I'll never forget the guys on the roster. Playing at Rosenblatt Stadium on the same field as Barry Bonds (Arizona State) and Lance Berkman (Rice) did, the adrenaline rush and seeing the red, blue and yellow seats from the pitcher's mound was truly special.
Q: Are you leaning toward signing with the Astros, or do you wish to return to Arkansas for your senior year?
A: Right now, I'm 50-50 on my decision. I really like the Astros, and I would like nothing more than to sign with them. However, I do have some unfinished business at Arkansas. Before the College World Series, I was set on signing. Now, after the special experience, I need to take some time to make the best decision for myself and family.
Q: What unfinished business do you need to take care of at Arkansas?
A: My goal was to win 20 career games. Currently, I have 19 wins. I really want to reach 20. Also, we have several guys from this World Series team coming back next year, combined with a solid recruiting class. If I return to Arkansas for my senior year, we have a chance to make it back to Omaha. Also, I might be able to improve my draft status.
Q: With nine of the first 11 picks signed, have the Astros turned their full attention toward you?
A: They have definitely been persistent. Jim (Stevenson) called and informed me that the Astros are prepared to make me an offer this week. He's going to stop by the house in Tulsa. All he said was I'll be happy with the offer, and it's above the slotted system for being a seventh-round pick.
Q: What will it take for you to sign with Houston?
A: It's going to come down to the offer. I believe I've earned a fair signing bonus. Like I said, I'm 50-50 on my decision, but if they make me an offer I can't refuse, I'm going to lean toward signing with the Astros.
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