Graham Keen, a sophomore baseball standout at Mt. Lebanon, has recently embarked on an exciting adventure with pickleball. He claims to have picked it up quickly and is already quite proficient. However, it's important to note that while he shines in pickleball, there's another sport where he truly excels.

Climbing the Baseball Ranks

Keen was named the No. 2 player nationally in the Class of 2027 by Prep Baseball, a remarkable achievement. "When I first saw that, I was on cloud nine. It felt almost surreal," he expressed. "All the hard work over the past few years has truly paid off. It's where I feel I belong."His freshman season at Mt. Lebanon was outstanding. As a two-way starter for a top team in the state's largest classification, he hit.324 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. On the mound, he boasted a 6-1 record with a 1.42 ERA. His position for next season is yet to be determined, but he expects to play center field after David Shields was selected in the MLB Draft.College is a strong consideration for Keen. He attended a few camps over the summer and fall at schools like TCU, Virginia, and Duke. "All these places are amazing, and it'll be a tough choice," he said.During the offseason, Keen focuses on getting stronger and faster. He lifts and hits at Battleground Baseball in Callery and works on his pitching at PVS Baseball in Pleasant Hills.

Pickleball Prowess

Pickleball has become a new passion for Keen. He quickly mastered the game and is now quite good at it. "It's a fun sport that I enjoy playing in my free time," he shared. "It helps me stay active and sharp."

Baseball Future Uncertainties

Although Keen is currently ranked highly in baseball, his long-term future in the sport is still uncertain. He has the potential to go far, but there are many factors that could influence his path. "I'm just taking things one day at a time and seeing where it leads," he said.

Other Sports and Commitments

Keen doesn't play any other sports competitively except for pickleball occasionally. But he uses the offseason to focus on his baseball skills and overall physical development.In other sports news, Thomas Jefferson's Brayden White committed to South Dakota, which will play in Saturday's FCS semifinals. White had an outstanding season at Thomas Jefferson, catching 68 passes for 1,287 yards and 15 touchdowns.Penn Hills graduate Raion Strader, a top defensive back in the MAC, signed with Auburn after visiting the school. He had an impressive season with 40 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 17 pass break-ups.Finally, Montour's Abby Cleary committed to RIT, Bethel Park's Jack Bruckner to Carnegie Mellon, and Hempfield's Katie Dolinski to Point Park in their respective sports.