SAN ANTONIO — Chase Keng is no stranger to garnering attention for his baseball prowess.  The University of Texas-San Antonio right fielder has been showcased in the media since he was in high school when he was named the Houston Chronicle All-Greater Houston Hitter of the Year.  He led his high school team to the 2017 Class 6A State Championship, as well.

Keng (pronounced King), is a lefty and is a redshirt senior due to 2020’s shortened season, and all players were offered an additional year of eligibility.

UTSA Head Coach Pat Hallmark said, “Chase handled adversity so well, so he’ll always have a special place for me.  It’s very unique to see people deal with adversity admirably like he did.”  

However, even with a shorter season in 2020, sports reporters still saw Chase’s incredible talent on the diamond.

Chase, 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, led the Roadrunners in 2020 with two triples, and he ranked among club leaders in doubles, games played, at-bats, runs, hits and RBIs. In 2021, Keng played 34 games with 30 starts; he had a .592 slugging percentage with a .397 on-base percentage; and he had a 15-18 walk-strikeout ratio in C-USA play with a .400 on-base percentage and a .624 slugging mark. 

Coach Hallmark talked about Keng’s strong determination and hard work saying, “Chase has worked as hard as any player I’ve coached and spent tons of time in the cages.  He’s made some adjustments hitting, and last year that work paid off.  His plate discipline has become a weapon for him.”  

Keng’s hitting coach, Ryan Aguayo, said, “Chase Keng is someone I love having in our program.  He embodies what we want our players to be.  Tough, hard-working and high-character on and off the field.  For example, when we first got to UTSA back in 2019, I told Chase any time you want extra work, you tell me and I will be there.  He literally texted me every day in the fall wanting to get better.  As a coach, you love that and you want to be around players like that all the time.”

Keng may very well not need that extra year of eligibility if he continues to play with the same ferocity as he did during the 2021 season.  Last season proved Chase is a top NCAA player and a qualified and talented choice for the MLB draft.   He was awarded the Collegiate Baseball’s National Player of the Week, powered by Diamond Sports, in 2021 after three  home runs and a double with nine RBIs.  He was also awarded National Player of the Week by @CBNewspaper, and he was named Player of the Game  for that same game.

According to Coach Hallmark, “Chase will come into next season having proven he’s a top Division I hitter.  He has big goals for himself that I think are worthy and attainable.  We’ll (Coach Hallmark and Ryan Aguayo, UTSA Hitting Coach) try and keep him relaxed (this season) and not feeling like he has to do too much.  The ‘take’ and the ‘base on balls’ will be as important to his success as all the actual base hits.”

Coach Aguayo added, “The work he has put in was very evident in his offensive production last year.  His determination hasn’t stopped, and we are looking for him to have the same success and more this upcoming season.  He’s continuing to grow as a ball player, student and leader in our program.”

Chase definitely has some big goals for his future in baseball, as he should based on his history.  “Baseball has always been a huge part of my life ever since I was young,” Keng said. “It has been something I have done almost every day for the past 18 years.  The hard work has paid off to get to the point of where I’m at now.”

The UTSA baseball team and coaches are anticipating a strong season this spring.  

“The team looks like we have the potential to be very good this year,” Keng said. “We have been hitting the cover off the ball so far this fall, and we have a good core ground of returning players with a lot of experience under their belts.  We are just ready to get out there and play.”

Chase Keng believes that baseball is life. He has proven that he is extremely talented in his chosen sport. The University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunner’s fan base is certainly excited to see what he brings to the diamond this spring. Who knows?  Keng’s outstanding slugging style and increasing strength and endurance could lead him directly into the Majors.

The fans will be watching. The MLB scouts will be watching, as well.

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