Drafted in the 15th Round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Keagan Gillies is no stranger to the Baltimore area. Prior to being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles Gillies played for the Baltimore Redbirds of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League in 2017, the summer following his Freshman season at Tulane University.
Gillies played five years at Tulane, compiling a 10-13 record with 10 saves. He appeared in a total of 79 games for the Green Wave, making 30 starts with a 5.02 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over 215.1 innings pitched with 187 runs allowed. Gillies worked his way up to Saturday starter during his Sophomore season. During his 5th season, he was Tulane’s top relief pitcher, saving 5 games in 6 opportunities. The lone blown save came against the eventual National Champion Mississippi State Bulldogs. His 0.96 ERA that year was best among Tulane’s pitchers and his 44 strikeouts were best among the relief staff.
Following the Draft and the subsequent signing of his first professional contract, Gillies was assigned to the Florida Coast League (Rookie) where he made just one start.
Assigned to Delmarva (Low A) in 2022, Gillies spent an extended amount of time on the Injured List. After making 2 rehab starts in the FCL, he returned to Delmarva and finished the season with 1-2 record over 7 games for the Shorebirds, producing a 6.46 ERA over 15.1 innings.
Gillies started at Aberdeen in 2023 and pitched to a 3-0 record with 2 saves and a 0.54 ERA over 16.2 innings pitched. The Orioles organization promoted him to Bowie (AA) on June 20th. As he heads into the second half of the season with the Baysox, Gillies has no record over 4 appearances lasting 4.1 innings with 1 hold, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.69.
I recently had the privilege of conducting a Q & A with Keagan Gillies and it went as follows.
Chuck Boemmel: Education is obviously important to you, why did you choose to pursue a Graduate degree in Finance while chasing your dream of playing professional baseball?
Keagan Gillies: Education is very important in my family. My mom is a retired teacher, my dad is CEO of a wealth management company and has an MBA also from Tulane and I have two siblings with advanced degrees. One day, when my baseball career is over, I want be prepared for a second career in Finance.
CB: Do your teammates seek you out for any financial advice?
KG: While we do discuss the financial system and finances from time to time, the main focus is learning and gaining knowledge rather than providing advice.
CB: You played in the Cal Ripken, Sr Collegiate Baseball League in 2017, what were your impressions of the area?
KG:I hold a deep appreciation for the area and thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I enjoyed the seafood (especially the crabcakes), culture and the many attractions around the DC and Baltimore areas.
CB:How did you find out that the Baltimore Orioles drafted you and what were you doing during the draft?
KG:I received a call from my agent, Scott Barber of Ballengee Group, that if I was available, the Orioles would take me with their next pick. Then, I received a call from the Orioles. I spent the draft at home with my immediate family.
CB: You played in the Connie Mack WS as a high schooler, worked your way to the Saturday starter spot for Tulane as a sophomore and closed out a combined no hitter as a senior, how did all those experiences prepare you for professional baseball?
KG: When I was selected to play for the Midland Redskins, based in Cincinnati, during my senior year of high school, I knew I would get a head start on the college experience, and I really did. We made it to the Connie Mack World Series in Farmington, New Mexico that season. It was an incredible experience. Upon returning from Cincinnati to Tulane after the World Series, I immediately began my studies. I struggled in Fall Ball with my mechanics and velocity. I put in extra time to correct those issues and became a trusted reliever as a freshman. Before my senior season, Coach Travis Jewett asked me to become the closer and we did combine for a no-hitter. When I entered the game, I did not realize we were on a no-hitter as I was in the bullpen warming up. When the game ended and everyone went crazy, I realized that I was part of something special.
I find professional baseball has many parallels to my previous experiences. We have to work hard every day or someone else is getting better than us. We each have roles to play and we need to perform for the best of the team and the organization.
CB: Did you participate in any showcase events as an amateur?
KG: During my high school years, I participated in a few showcase events. Tulane offered me before my junior season, so that put much of the recruiting on the back burner. I attended a couple of professional sponsored events, but I was always going to Tulane with the encouragement of my agent/advisor and my parents, so the draft out of high school really was not an option for me. In my case, it was the best decision.
CB: What was your “WOW” moment as a professional? What happened to make it real for you?
KG: The biggest WOW experience for me, was the moment I put on the Orioles uniform for the first time. Even after the draft, the realization of officially becoming a professional had yet to fully sink in. When I arrived in Sarasota and was assigned a locker and provided gear, that was one of the biggest “WOWs” of my life.
CB: Analytics are valued by the Orioles organization, what are your feelings about analytics and how are they used in the minor leagues?
KG: Analytics are significant in my approach to training. During the offseason, I train alongside Brent Pourciau at Top Velocity, where we use analytics to enhance certain aspects such as, strength, speed, mechanics, and pitch shapes. I believe that using analytics can propel your performance to the top. The Orioles, with their utilization of analytics, has played a pivotal role in my growth as a pitcher.
CB: What, if anything, did the organization tweak concerning your pitching based on their analytics of you?
KG: The main focus has been to fine tune specific mechanics to ensure physical health and consistent performance throughout an entire season.
CB: What is your preferred role, starter or reliever?
KG: I am committed to doing whatever it takes to contribute to the success of the organization. This year, I have found my stride and embraced my role as a reliever. There is a huge sense of adrenaline and enjoyment that comes from closing out a game or handling high pressure situations.
CB: What would your scouting report of yourself say?
KG: “When Keagan is healthy, as he is this year, he is really impressive for a pitcher who is six foot eight. He is a big presence and backs up that presence with energy and passion on the mound and it is easy to see. His teammates love it when Keagan enters because they know he is going to get ahead of hitters and he is going to fill up the strike zone. Keagan attacks hitters with a fastball/slider/splitter mix that is really tough to beat.”
-Coach Austin Meine (Aberdeen Ironbirds Pitching Coach)
CB: How has your minor league experience so far compared to what you expected it to be?
KG: My expectations of minor league baseball as a highly competitive environment have been met and even exceeded these expectations. While it is competitive, we are pulling for one another.
CB: Describe your game day routine.
KG: My gameday routine closely resembles my everyday routine. I begin with soft tissue self-massaging using a lacrosse ball to address any right arm and shoulder and any tender areas. Next, I engage in a series of lower and upper body stretches which leads into a full dynamic warmup. Before throwing, I incorporate medicine ball throws to sync up my lower and upper half. Lastly, I incorporate resistance bands to activate my shoulder.
CB: What is a day off for you like?
KG: On my day off, I am usually just relaxing and hanging out with my friends on the team. If my fiancé or family is in town, we will do some things around the area. I also have audited some advanced economic classes online.
CB: With the Orioles success and the recent call-ups, what is the excitement level on the farm like as far as opportunities to advance are concerned?
KG: Well, we are good and loaded, so to move up is a big deal. I was very excited with my promotion to Bowie, but my goal, and the goal of my friends and teammates, is to make it all the way up and contribute to win championships.
CB: Do minor leaguers follow the parent club closely or are they more focused on their process as a player?
KG: Most minor leaguers pay close attention and are actual fans of their parent clubs. Also, in a lot of cases, the parent club directly affects what happens in the minor leagues.
CB: Who is your favorite MLB player?
KG: Adam Wainwright
CB: What MLB pitcher would you compare yourself to as a player?
Again, Adam Wainwright. He has done it all and continues to get it done. He is a tall player and works to keep batters off balance.
CB: What advice would you give youngsters trying to follow in your footsteps?
KG: Play multiple sports when you are young. I love basketball but had to decide as a high school freshman between basketball and baseball. Also, it is never too early to take care of your body with good, balanced meals and with the proper conditioning program for your age. Finally, and it is an old adage, but success in baseball is about overcoming failure. My brother, who was a college pitcher, used to write on the mirror in my bathroom, “So what, next pitch!”
CB: You were born and raised in Louisiana, how does Maryland seafood compare to Louisiana seafood?
KG: I have many friends here and my future father-in-law is in the seafood business in south Louisiana. The seafood here is cooked differently than at home. I enjoy both styles and it seems every restaurant has multiple crab dishes. I really like the crab dips here.
CB: Giving back is obviously important to you as you work with the Miracle League and establishing “K’s For Kids” non-profit as a High School junior demonstrate, what are you doing now to give back?
KG: The Miracle League is very important to me. Right now, I do not have the time to devote to “Ks for Kids” so my dad and brother run it for our family. As a professional athlete, my friends and family had the opportunity to watch me play competitively. The Miracle League gives these very special children the opportunity to compete in front of their families and friends.
CB: Is there a prospect other than yourself that you feel isn’t getting the press he should?
Nick Richmond
CB: Initial thoughts of Jackson Holliday
KG: He has game and is a mature young player. Very humble and competitive. He will be a Big Leaguer.
CB: What would you like the fans in Baltimore to know about you and expect to see when you pitch?
KG: When I pitch, I have one focus, get the batter out. I will bring tenacity to the mound, and I want to fill the zone. If I come in with traffic, my job is to put out the fire.
CB: Congratulations on you upcoming October nuptials, are you ready?
KG: Thank you! Well, we have some time and we moved it to November of 2024 at the suggestion of my agent and friend, Scott Barber. The big decisions are already made, and we will have a traditional New Orleans wedding in a traditional New Orleans setting. Yes, I am ready to marry my best friend.
I would like to sincerely thank Keagan Gillies for taking the time to answer my questions Also I have great appreciation for Paul Kuo, PR with The Ballengee Group as well as Player Agent Scott Barber for allowing me access to Keagan.