Betts: Kean faces Kean in keen weekend series at Winthrop
Woodstock, Ont., brothers Tyler Kean, director of analytics at Winthrop University, left, and OF Alex Kean, of Morehead State University, are set to face off in a weekend series in Rock Hill, S.C. this weekend. Photos: Winthrop and Moorehead State Athletics
February 19, 2026
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
When Winthrop welcomes Morehead State to Founders Field in Rock Hill, S.C. for a three-game series this weekend, the Kean brothers (Woodstock, Ont.) will be competing for bragging rights.
Older brother Tyler serves as the director of analytics at Winthrop, while the younger Alex is in his junior season at MSU.
“The opportunity to go against my brother this year is unbelievable to me,” Alex said.
“The chances that we both ended up at a Division 1 baseball program and to compete against each other at the same time is spectacular. We've both come a very long way, and I’m nothing but grateful to everyone who has given both Ty and I this incredible opportunity.”
The pair have taken much different paths to get to this point.
Tyler began playing minor baseball for the Woodstock Wranglers before soon realizing his on-field career wasn’t the way he was going to advance in the game.
Wanting to stay involved, he took the position of director of baseball operations with the Ontario Nationals before an opportunity opened up to assist the Great Lake Canadians in an analytics and video coordination role. There, he worked alongside the likes of Chris Robinson (Dorchester, Ont.), Adam Stern (London, Ont.) and Jamie Romak (London, Ont.).
He also coached none other than his little brother with the Canadians.
Tyler Kean (Woodstock, Ont.), in action in his role as director of analytics at Winthrop University.
Time spent with professional scouts Jay Lapp (London, Ont.) and Pat Griffin (Oakville, Ont.), and Perfect Game are also on his resume.
“That led me to reaching out to Coach (Mike) McGuire and talking about what we can do at Winthrop,” Tyler said.
“The director of analytics role gives me a ton of freedom. It's a brand new role that Coach McGuire has added to the staff this year. A lot of it is bringing statistics forward to the coaches, hitting or pitching. For pitching, we talk a lot about in-zone rate, chase and whiff, overall usages. The hitting side takes more of a focus on overall production.”
Alex knows his brother will be prepared, it’s his job to be.
Alex Kean (Woodstock, Ont.) hit .309 with 13 home runs in 51 games as a sophomore in 2025. Photo: Moorehead State Athletics
But, the Winthrop pitching staff will have its hands full. As a sophomore in 2025, Alex hit .309 with 13 home runs and a .994 OPS in 51 games.
He’s also fresh off a hit and a RBI in Morehead State’s 8-6 upset win over No. 18 Kentucky on Tuesday.
“I know he's watching videos of my at-bats, figuring out their best opportunity to get me out,” Alex said.
“He has a bit of insider information, watching me throughout the years, and knows my strengths and weaknesses. I know if I were him, I’d use it against me too.”
That scouting report dates back to wiffle ball games in the family backyard and Tyler driving Alex around to get his swings in wherever he could, from Kitchener to London.
He also knows his little brother’s mindset. When first pitch flies, it will be all about winning.
“He's so professional about these things that we both know he's here for business and that's it,” Tyler said.
“He's coming here to do damage and I have to do what I can in preventing that from happening. Thankfully, I've seen the swing once or twice so we know what he's about.”
The brothers will have family in attendance to celebrate the occasion, although Tyler is still wondering which team colours his parents will wear.
Regardless, it’s a special moment for the entire Kean crew.
“We were pretty sure that the opportunity of getting on a field together had passed us by,” Tyler said.
“It's really special for this opportunity to happen again at a higher level.”
For Alex, he’s excited to show all the dedication the two have put in has paid off.
“I'm really looking forward to sharing the field and opportunity with Ty, and showing everyone how hard the two of us have worked to get this chance,” he said.