Minnesota Twins: Max Kepler emerges from the forgotten
With the depth of young talent on the Minnesota Twins, many overlooked Max Kepler. He’s going about changing that in 2018.
The Minnesota Twins saw breakout seasons from two of their three starting outfielders last season as Eddie Rosario and Byron Buxton had big seasons. So why is it that everyone forgot Max Kepler?
A unique backgroudn
Maximilian Kepler was originally signed out of Germany in 2009 for $775K, just short of the European signing bonus record at the time of $800K. Raw due to his lack of competition level growing up, Kepler took multiple seasons in rookie ball leagues before he was ready for full season ball for the first time in 2013 at age 20.
In 2015, Kepler broke through, slashing .318/.410/.520 mostly in AA before a 3 game call up to the Twins. After that season, he was a consensus top 100 prospect, as high as #30 with Baseball America.
He spent 30 games with Rochester in 2016 before coming up to the big leagues for good to take over as the Minnesota Twins starting right fielder, his position on the team for now his third season in 2018.
Lefty trials
Early on in his major league career, Kepler struggled against left-handed pitching, with a 197-point higher OPS in 2016 against right-handed pitching and an absurd 375-point higher OPS against righties in 2017. However, there were BABIP-related reasons to believe his 2017 season was much more exaggerated than reality.
It was odd to see as well, as Kepler had no significant spread as a minor leaguer in the Minnesota Twins system. His final full season, he hit better against right-handed pitching, but by just 72 points of OPS. He had a similar spread hitting at home versus on the road.
However, as manager Paul Molitor consistently gave Kepler days off against left-handed pitching, many felt that he would never develop into the hitter the Minnesota Twins had signed him to be.
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Breakthrough
While many of his Minnesota Twins teammates were enjoying breakthrough performances in the second half of 2017, Kepler struggled. So when there were some questions raised as to whether teams would want Kepler or fellow corner outfielder Eddie Rosario in trade scenarios this winter, many felt giving up Rosario was a much larger give to the receiving team.
Kepler’s simply come out in his first 23 games before Monday and hit .280/.344/.512 with 7 doubles and 4 home runs. What has astounded many is his approach at the plate. Kepler is working pitchers from both sides deep into counts, hunting out his pitch.
The results have been excellent, as he has posted an 8/9 BB/K over 90 plate appearances on the season, and while the season’s small enough for sample size to still be in question, it’s still big enough to show some definite change.
Next: Top 10 LHP prospects for 2018
While the Minnesota Twins have been missing Buxton and not getting the same production from Rosario so far this year, thankfully Max Kepler is breaking through in a big way.