The Dodgers are well known for having a scouting system that consistently identifies players who are much more talented than their draft position. Along the same lines, they are equally as well known for developing and maximizing that talent once players enter the organization.

That’s where we start our story of Damon Keith.

Background

Keith grew up in Redlands California, less than an hour away from Dodgers Stadium, and became a great player during his High School days at Redlands East Valley. He led his team to the CIF post-season while earning an All-CBL First Team selection and got himself noticed by many of the great baseball schools in the area.

He knew he wanted to stay close to his friends and family and he also wanted to go somewhere he could maximize his development. 

One school, in particular, Cal Baptist, had everything he wanted, so he chose to be a Lancer, and for good reason. 

That program is led by the legendary Gary Adcock, the program’s winningest coach of all time. Adcock has posted a remarkable record of 733-386-1, and under his guidance, the Lancer program has won eight conference titles in 18 years, have qualified for the postseason 17 times, and produced 29 draft picks.

So Keith knew he was in good hands, he knew he was going to get to stay close to friends and family, and he knew Cal Baptist would be a great fit. 

And, he was right. 

At Cal Baptist Keith was voted the WAC Player of the Year in 2021, he was all-conference, and he led the WAC in home runs and runs scored, while also compiling the 2nd most hits overall as well. 

Long story short, Keith was really good, good enough, to put himself in a position to be drafted.

And that’s exactly what happened when the Dodgers took him in the 17th Round of the 2021 Draft. 

Keith did have eligibility left but made the tough decision to go pro despite being super happy and equally as thankful for his time at Cal Baptist. Here’s what he had to say about that decision. 

Going Pro just felt right. You know, I had gone through and put in the work and it was something that I have always wanted to do and take the chance on, so it felt right to go after it and take advantage of that opportunity.

Leaving college for a 17th-round selection isn’t an easy decision, especially when you have the great experience Keith had as a Lancer. Keith explains why he chose Cal Baptist and his time there.

Cal Baptist was close to home for me, so I was able to be close to my family all the time and be around everybody I knew in an area I was familiar with. The coaching staff there is great, and they get guys ready, so it was a great fit for me.

17th Round

If you’ve seen him play, especially in person, it becomes obvious that the 17th Round doesn’t begin to tell the story of how talented the young Southern California native is.

Not close!

He has some of the loudest tools in the game and is known for consistently registering exit velos over 100 mph. That’s what you may know about him, but what you might not know is that he is also one of the fastest players in the Dodgers system as well. When asked if that is an underrated part of his game, this is what he had to say. 

I would say so. I’ve heard it a couple of times from some people, and people have gotten on me, even some of my teammates to run more because I definitely can, that’s for sure. When a lot of people see me for the first time they never believe I run as well as I do, so I definitely need to put that to good use a little bit more. 

Keith is a big dude, especially in his lower half, so I can understand when people are surprised when they see how well he runs. 

How We Got Here

Keith entered the system in 2021 and spent the rest of his short season at the complex after being drafted. He then started 2022 at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and after hitting .299, was promoted to High A Great Lakes at the beginning of August. He stayed in Great Lakes all through 2023 and was promoted to AA Tulsa at the beginning of this year, 2024. 

But his AA debut was short-lived as, early in the season he broke his hamate bone which kept him out until Early June. It was a setback, no doubt, but not one that kept him down for long. Here’s what he had to say when asked about his Hamate injury.

It was a tough one for sure because the goal is always to be healthy and to be out there and be on the field with the guys. So, to have that happen was tough, for sure, but I was told I was going to go to the doctor and I was like, alright, let’s get it going so I can do what I can to get back. 

Keith continued

I definitely took the time back in Arizona to get ready as quickly as I could so I could be back out here with the guys. 

It didn’t take him long to get back into the swing of things as, shortly after his return, he had 2 walk-offs in the same week, off the SAME pitcher, the first being in his first game at home with Tulsa. I was there for the first one and I can tell you, it was a cool moment.

With a Damon Keith smile, this is what he said about the walk-offs

It was definitely special having the home stadium debut and having that happen, you know, twice. Even having it happen once is crazy, but to have it happen twice, and against the same pitcher was definitely surreal, and it was awesome to do that here.

As mentioned, Keith has big tools, and those tools combined with the instruction in the Dodgers organization were bound to be a perfect match.

And, it has been.

Keith couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities he has been given and for the great instruction he has received.

The instruction in this organization is unbelievable. I mean, you hear everybody talk about it, and you don’t fully understand it until you’re in it. I’ve been here for a couple of years and it still feels like I’m learning something new each day. We have staff, trainers, and coaches from top to bottom to prepare people and they do a really good job with that. 

Minor Leaguers spend countless hours and put everything on the line to chase a dream. Damon is no different, and to do so, you have to have had a village of people who have all chipped in and helped.

Here’s what he said when asked about his village. 

It’s a long list, for sure, but I have to give thanks to my family for all the years driving places getting me where I needed to be, and raising me and getting me ready. All my coaches from High School to college, the ones I’ve worked out with on the side, and even the coaches here and everybody we come in contact with every day. It’s a long list, but it’s a thanks to everybody because it’s not just about the ball player, it’s also about being a man off the field. 

Closing

Damon has a world of talent and is putting it all to good use. He’s got everything he needs to make his dreams come true, now, it’s just a matter of continuing to make it happen. 

I would like to thank Damon for joining Dodgers Daily, it was a pleasure to get to meet and talk to someone I’ve enjoyed so much in covering the last couple of years. He is a super kind young man, very appreciative of the opportunity he has been given, and is very focused on seeing this thing to the finish line. 

After all, it’s always been something he’s wanted to do, and now he’s just one phone call away from doing it.