Former Xavier prep Keller expected to make 2015 debut Sunday

It's been a lost baseball season for Mitch Keller, but it could be getting better.

The former Cedar Rapids Xavier prep is close to making his 2015 debut, according to reports. The right-hander has been sidelined with a strained forearm.

'I don't feel anything anymore,” he told www.piratesprospects.com. 'So I think it just needed some rest.”

Keller was Pittsburgh's second-round draft choice last year and signed a contract with a bonus of $1 million. He performed well for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Pirates after turning pro, with a fastball that was regularly hitting the middle-90s.

But his arm began bothering him late in extended spring training, and he has yet to throw a game for Rookie-level Bristol of the Appalachian League. He is the scheduled starting pitcher Sunday for Bristol, which hosts Danville.

Here's the entire 'How They're Doing” list of former Metro and area preps and University of Iowa players who are in affiliated baseball:

How they're doing

- Chad Christensen (Cedar Rapids Washington) - Outfielder hitting .260 in 89 games for high-Class A Fort Myers (Twins) with 13 doubles, a triple, two home runs and 30 RBIs. Also has 19 stolen bases. Has hits in eight of last 10 games.

- Matt Dermody (University of Iowa) - Pitcher for high-A Dunedin (Blue Jays) made his first start of the season Friday, throwing five shutout innings to beat Palm Beach. Has 3-0 record this season with a save and 4.06 earned run average in 26 appearances.

- Kris Goodman (Iowa) - Is a third baseman for Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins. Hitting .227 in 19 games with a homer and two RBIs.

- Nick Hibbing (Iowa) - Pitcher for low-A West Virginia (Pirates). Is 1-0 with 1.27 ERA in nine games. Has allowed just 16 hits in 21 1/3 innings.

- Jon Keller (Cedar Rapids Xavier) - Relief pitcher for high-A Frederick (Orioles) has 3-4 record, three saves and 4.10 ERA in 28 appearances.

- Mitch Keller (Cedar Rapids Xavier) - Brother of Jon Keller stil has not pitched this season because of a strained forearm. Is scheduled to make his season debut for Rookie-level Bristol (Pirates) in next few days.

- Sasha Kuebel (Iowa) - Has thrown well for Rookie-level Johnson City (Cardinals), with 3-1 record, three saves and 2.86 ERA in 14 games. Has allowed just 21 combined hits and walks in 22 innings and struck out 22.

- Derrick Loveless (Solon) - Went 2-for-3 with an RBI Friday night for high-A Dunedin (Blue Jays) to improve his batting average to .214 in 87 games. Has nine doubles, two triples, five homers and 29 RBIs.

- Colin Rea (Cascade) - Since being promoted to Triple-A El Paso (Padres), pitcher has 2-1 record and 4.58 ERA in five starts. Is 5-3 with 1.81 ERA in 18 starts between Double-A and Triple-A this season.

- Scott Schebler (Cedar Rapids Prairie) - Outfielder has played 90 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City (Dodgers) and has .248 batting average with 12 doubles, eight triples, 11 homers and 38 RBIs.

- Eric Toole (Iowa) - The outfielder, a 2015 draft pick of the Colorado Rockies, is hitting .257 in 21 games for Rookie-level Boise. Had three-hit game against Spokane, followed by four-hit game the next night before going on the disabled list and missing two weeks.

- Justin Toole (Iowa) - Third baseman has been moved up to Triple-A Columbus (Indians). Hit .220 in 47 games for Double-A Akron before promotion.

- Jake Yacinich (Iowa) - Shortstop was promoted last week to high-A Inland Empire (Angels), where he is 1-for-6 in two games. For Burlington of Midwest League, he hit .259 in 79 games.

- Taylor Zeutenhorst (Iowa) - Outfielder was demoted from Clinton of Midwest League to Rookie-level Everett (Mariners) Thursday. Hit .227 in 55 games for Clinton, with two homers and 19 RBIs.