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Junior James Keithley became the 27th player in UTSA history to advance to the MLB's minor league level.
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SAN ANTONIO ? UTSA junior shortstop James Keithley agreed to terms with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.
Keithley, who was selected in the 39th round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft last Friday, will begin his professional career with the Vermont Lake Monsters, the Single-A affiliate of the Nationals, on Tuesday, June 17.
"I'm excited about moving on to the next level and am looking forward to advancing through the Nationals system," Keithley said after signing his contract. "I can't thank the coaching staff enough for giving me the opportunity to grow as a player the last three years. Without their help, I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in today. They gave me a chance after my senior year in high school when no else did and I will be forever grateful for that."
“Although I am disappointed James will not return next season, I am happy that he is getting an opportunity to fulfill a boyhood dream of playing professional baseball,” eighth-year head coach Sherman Corbett said. “He has been an integral part of the success we have experienced as a program the past three years and it has given him this opportunity to play in the Washington Nationals organization. We are excited for James and wish him the best in his professional career.”
A two-time second-team All-Southland Conference selection, the San Antonio native (Reagan HS) had yet another outstanding season this past spring. Keithley made the transition to shortstop from second base and continued to post staggering numbers out of the lead-off spot in the lineup. He hit .358 with a UTSA-record and league-high 73 runs scored to go along with 16 doubles, a pair of triples, six homers and 32 RBIs. Keithley also owned a squad-best 30 multi-hit performances, walked 26 times, reached base at a .423 clip, registered a .514 slugging percentage and swiped a team-leading 15 bases.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder hit safely in a school-record 27 games from March 8-April 20, which was among the top 10 hitting streaks nationally this past year, and recorded at least one safety in 51 of the 57 tilts he played in. His hot-hitting ways carried over to the conference campaign, as he hit .366 with 10 doubles, two triples, three bombs and 16 RBIs in addition to leading the league with 42 runs.
Keithley started 170 games during his three-year career and hit .317 with 36 doubles, seven triples, 15 home runs, 94 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. He finished his career among the top 10 on the program's all-time charts in runs (t-No. 3/159), hits (No. 6/220), at-bats (No. 7/695), triples (No. 8/7) and batting average (t-No. 10).
With his signing, Keithley becomes the 27th Roadrunner to advance to the MLB's minor league level and 14th under Corbett.
"I'm going to really miss being a part of this program and am proud to say 'I'm a Roadrunner'" he said. "With what is coming back next season and the outstanding class of newcomers coming in, the program will continue to achieve its goals."
