Pittsburgh Pirates' pitcher Mitch Keller showcased a remarkable surge in velocity during Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins, unbeknownst to him. Despite his unawareness, the Twins and Pirates Manager Derek Shelton clearly noticed the increased heat on his pitches. Keller's impressive performance resulted in eight strikeouts over six scoreless innings, leading the Pirates to a 3-0 victory at PNC Park.

Shelton praised Keller's ability to "weaponize" the extra velocity, emphasizing the young pitcher's resilience in crucial moments. Keller had to navigate out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning, relying on his two best pitches to strike out Royce Lewis and Max Kepler consecutively.

Amidst the buzz surrounding the Pirates' rookie rotation, Keller continues to stand out as the team's head and leader. He has been on an exceptional six-start stretch, reminiscent of the best moments of his career. In all of those outings, Keller has allowed two runs or less, reaching at least six innings each time. This accomplishment makes him the first Pirate since Gerrit Cole in 2015 to achieve such consistency.

During this phenomenal stretch, Keller has maintained an outstanding 1.13 ERA, conceding only five earned runs over 39 2/3 innings. Additionally, he has extended his streak of pitching at least five innings to 44 consecutive starts, a feat matched only by A.J. Burnett between 2012 and 2013.

Keller's recent performance has transformed him into an All-Star contender once again. While his March and April outings were not poor by any means, they did not meet his high standards, resulting in a 5.18 ERA over his first seven starts. However, Keller attributes his current success to feeling more comfortable and focused since May.

Pitching coach Oscar Marin was not concerned by Keller's slower start, recognizing it as a minor setback. Marin and Keller collaborated on making some mechanical adjustments, capitalizing on the pitcher's increased strength. Through video analysis, they identified that Keller could generate more power by positioning his pelvis slightly higher during his motion. Implementing these tweaks resulted in a consistent boost in velocity.

The impact of Keller's increased velocity extends beyond his fastball, benefiting his offspeed and breaking pitches as well. During Friday's game, Keller induced seven swings and misses with his dominant sweeper, along with four strikeouts.

Keller's resurgence from a sluggish April to becoming one of the game's hottest pitchers in May and June is commendable. The right-hander's remarkable performance, combined with his dedication to making necessary adjustments, has solidified his position as a frontline starter for the Pirates.

As Keller continues to excel on the mound, his contributions are undeniably crucial to the Pirates' quest for success. With each outing, he reaffirms his status as an integral part of the team's rotation, elevating the collective performance of the entire pitching staff.

Keller's newfound velocity surge has undoubtedly transformed him into a force to be reckoned with, capable of shutting down opposing lineups. The Pirates can now look forward to seeing their young ace thrive as they take on future challenges throughout the remainder of the season.