This story was excerpted from Jake Rill’s Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
BALTIMORE -- As June ended and July began, Keagan Gillies felt a whirlwind of positive emotions.
First, the 27-year-old right-hander was included on the roster of prospects announced for the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game on June 30. Gillies and outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. (Baltimore’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline) were selected to represent the Orioles.
A day later on July 1, the news broke that Gillies was being promoted to Triple-A Norfolk for the first time. It was a bit of a long time coming for the 2021 15th-round Draft pick, who had spent parts of the past three seasons at Double-A Chesapeake.
Gillies can’t wait to experience the Futures Game, which is set for Saturday at Truist Park in Atlanta (4 p.m. ET on MLB Network, MLB.TV, MLB.com and the MLB app).
“I'm pumped up. It's going to be a great time,” Gillies said. “I'm excited about the journey and experiencing all of what’s to come.”
The same could be said for Gillies embracing the challenge ahead of him in Triple-A.
“Most of the hitters that you’re facing are close to the big leagues, obviously, or have been big leaguers before, so they're very good hitters,” Gillies said. “But I know my stuff and I know myself, and I know I can compete at this level. It could take a week, a month, a couple days for that learning curve to come. But ultimately, I'm excited for what’s to come here in the future.”
Or perhaps it won’t take long at all. Gillies made his debut for Norfolk this past Thursday at Durham as he worked around a pair of walks in a scoreless inning of relief.
A 6-foot-8, 255-pound Tulane University product, Gillies reached Double-A in 2023. He posted a 3.75 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in his first 18 appearances. But in ’24, he returned and recorded a 4.94 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 42 outings.
This year, Gillies mastered the level, pitching to a 1.15 ERA and a 0.57 WHIP in 26 games. He struck out 34 over 31 1/3 innings, proving he was ready for a tougher test.
Part of the reason for Gillies’ improved results is a greater focus on getting ahead in counts and avoiding falling behind. Another component has been better command.
“Getting the splitter more in-zone this year, that's really opened up my cutter,” Gillies said. “Because last year, I think a lot of what was going on was I wasn't getting my splitter in-zone, and so they were kind of sitting on the cutter and heater. And now that I can get that in-zone whenever I want [against] righties or lefties, it’s just opened up my pitchability big time.”
Gillies was clearly having an impressive year. But was he surprised to learn of his invitation to the Futures Game, an event showcasing a wave of potential stars in the making?
“Honestly, one thing that I've learned about pro ball is that anything’s possible,” Gillies said. “Being in it for three or four years now, there's a lot of things that I didn't think was possible that came true.
“I was a little surprised, I guess, but for the most part, I knew I worked hard to get to this point, and I was having a very successful season. So [I’m] just proud for the opportunity and grateful for it.”
Over the past two seasons at Double-A, Gillies knew he’d have premier defense behind him in center field. That’s because Bradfield has 80-grade speed and a 70-grade glove, tools that made him a first-round Draft pick in 2023.
After seeing Bradfield’s play firsthand, Gillies knew the former Vanderbilt University standout was deserving of a Futures Game nod as well.
“Oh man, I'm so excited for him,” Gillies said. “He's such a good player. He's such a good dude. When he was coming up, it was his speed on the bases, but also, I think his bat’s come a long way. Obviously, his defensive actions are incredible, and he's getting the balls that you can't imagine center fielders getting to.”
The former Double-A teammates will get an opportunity to show their skills on a larger stage.
“It's just going to be great to go out there and wear the Orioles jersey and support them,” Gillies said.