Ben Keizer joined Northwestern baseball as the pitching coach in September of 2023. He came to Northwestern after two years with the Chicago Cubs, where he worked in the business office as a partnership development specialist. Prior to that role, his baseball resume included a year of professional play after a decorated collegiate career at Michigan.
After graduating from Michigan in 2020, Keizer signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Yankees. He made appearances for both the FCL Yankees (ROK) and the Tampa Tarpons (A) during the 2021 season, going 5-3 with 25 strikeouts in 28.0 innings across both levels.
During his collegiate career, Keizer pitched four seasons and helped Michigan to the Championship Series of the 2019 Men's College World Series. The left-handed pitcher made 52 appearances, including five in the 2019 postseason, and earned a 5-2 record on a 5.03 ERA in Ann Arbor. Keizer was instrumental during the Wolverines' 2019 run to Omaha, pitching a one-hit, six-out save against UCLA in the final game of the Los Angeles Super Regional. He was also named team captain in 2019 and 2020 and was a three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Greenspan on Keizer:
"Ben brings a unique and valued background to our program. His playing experience in the Big Ten and the College World Series as well as his most recent tenure with the Cubs make him a welcome addition to our staff. Most importantly, however, is Ben's commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience at Northwestern University. He will be an astute evaluator of pitching talent, a positive and effective teacher and a relentless worker. We welcome Ben to the Wildcat Family."
After graduating from Michigan in 2020, Keizer signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Yankees. He made appearances for both the FCL Yankees (ROK) and the Tampa Tarpons (A) during the 2021 season, going 5-3 with 25 strikeouts in 28.0 innings across both levels.
During his collegiate career, Keizer pitched four seasons and helped Michigan to the Championship Series of the 2019 Men's College World Series. The left-handed pitcher made 52 appearances, including five in the 2019 postseason, and earned a 5-2 record on a 5.03 ERA in Ann Arbor. Keizer was instrumental during the Wolverines' 2019 run to Omaha, pitching a one-hit, six-out save against UCLA in the final game of the Los Angeles Super Regional. He was also named team captain in 2019 and 2020 and was a three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Greenspan on Keizer:
"Ben brings a unique and valued background to our program. His playing experience in the Big Ten and the College World Series as well as his most recent tenure with the Cubs make him a welcome addition to our staff. Most importantly, however, is Ben's commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience at Northwestern University. He will be an astute evaluator of pitching talent, a positive and effective teacher and a relentless worker. We welcome Ben to the Wildcat Family."