Steve Keighley worked to hit over 4 seasons, made high-A
Memphis State hitter Steve Keighley had a big day at the plate in early May 1989, The Anderson Independent-Mail wrote as he hit two home runs.
Afterward, he attempted to explain to The Independent-Mail how he did it.
"I was just going up there trying to hit line drives," Keighley told The Independent-Mail. "It just so happened I got the bat on the ball and the wind got hold of them and carried them out."
Keighley went on from Memphis State to the pros. His pro career saw four seasons. He topped out at high-A.
Keighley's pro career began in 1990, signed by the independent Salt Lake City Trappers out of Memphis State.
At Salt Lake City, Keighley got into 34 games. He hit .261, with one home run. His home run came in a June contest, where he helped shepherd his team to a win from behind the plate, and critiqued the opposing team's hitters, The Salt Lake Tribune wrote.
"They swung at the ball in the dirt all night," Keighley told The Tribune. "They weren't very disciplined."
Keighley moved on to the Expos system and single-A Rockford for 1991. He got into 46 games there and hit .207. For 1992, he played at high-A West Palm Beach. In 46 games, he hit .240.
Keighley then played in one final season, 1994, with independent Newark and Zanesville in the Frontier League. He hit .340 in 35 games to end his career.
- Anderson Independent-Mail, May 7, 1989: USC splits pair with Memphis St.
- Salt Lake Tribune, June 22, 1990: Traps Silence Braves With Three-Hitter
Made the Majors:1,426-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,061-68.2%-X