Tulsa Native, Astros Pitcher Dallas Keuchel Speaks At ORU Diamond Dinner

The Astros rewarded Tulsa native Dallas Keuchel with a $7.25 million contract for next season, coming to a deal just before the arbitration deadline.

The reigning American League Cy Young winner was the keynote speaker at Oral Roberts Diamond Dinner in Glenpool Friday night.

Keuchel won 20 games this year, started in the All-Star game and pitched in the playoffs, but he never made All-State in high school. He encouraged kids not to get discouraged.

"I was blessed to be left-handed, I guess,” said Keuchel. “That's one of the major benefits of being left-handed; you don't always have to throw as hard. All my lefties out there, keep working hard and don't let anybody say no to you. Continue to get better not only as an athlete but as a student as well."