We need a nickname for the overhang that Kepler hits all his homeruns into

Kepler's observatory.  I can't believe it's not already a thing.

 

Kepler's observatory.  I can't believe it's not already a thing.

This is a winner.

I like turtles.

 

Alles klar, Herr Kommisar?

Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!

 

I like turtles.

 

I like turtles.

Any time I can post this video is a happy day. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y

Regarding Kepler's defense: I am not impressed by his arm, so far. Especially true when he rushes. I wonder if the OF evolves into Kepler-Buxton-Rosario that perhaps they put Kepler in left and Rosario in right?

I think Kepler will take over for Mauer eventually at 1st base.  However I do think his arm is better than what's been shown so far.  I'd rate his arm better than Buxton's.

 

I think Kepler will take over for Mauer eventually at 1st base.  However I do think his arm is better than what's been shown so far.  I'd rate his arm better than Buxton's.

 

that has been my prediction for several years.

 

I think Kepler will take over for Mauer eventually at 1st base.  However I do think his arm is better than what's been shown so far.  I'd rate his arm better than Buxton's.

After watching that kid in the OF, first base seems like a real waste.

 

I attended one of Kepler's first games this season and he was in center. I don't think he's a natural CF but he ran down a ball that was a good 60 ft from his starting point and he glided into it. I couldn't believe he covered that distance while looking so low-effort.

Sano is destined for 1st base.

 

By the way, I don't like Kepler.

 

I love Kepler.

Sano is destined for 1st base.

 

By the way, I don't like Kepler.

 

I love Kepler.

Kepler likes you as a friend.

 

Kepler likes you as a friend.

Kepler saw drivlikejehu and swiped left.

 

Sano is destined for 1st base.

 

By the way, I don't like Kepler.

 

I love Kepler.

 

Good point on Sano......which is I am less confident in my prediction than I used to be. 

Unrequited love is still love, folks.

 

Kepler saw drivlikejehu and swiped left.

Well, can you blame Max? This is what he saw on Tinder.....

 

I just looked up his MiLB line and it's:

 

.281/.363/.446

 

LOL.

 

He's pretty young too, and the power has only really started showing up the last few seasons.  I think that's a pretty reasonable outlook for him, but I could really see him exceeding this too, especially in the SLG department.

 

He's pretty young too, and the power has only really started showing up the last few seasons.  I think that's a pretty reasonable outlook for him, but I could really see him exceeding this too, especially in the SLG department.

Normally, I'd be loathe to predict a MiLB stat line to carry over to MLB but given how Kepler underperformed for years and then burst out last season, I think that MiLB line is a solid place to start. That stat line has been dragged way down by his early seasons.

 

Sano is destined for 1st base.

 

By the way, I don't like Kepler.

 

I love Kepler.

I imagine it's more like destined for DH, myself.

 

And yeah, I'm as thrilled about Kepler's ability as I have been for some time.

Kepler likes you as a friend.

Kepler saw drivlikejehu and swiped left.

I'll take TD Generation Gaps for $100, Alex.

Normally, I'd be loathe to predict a MiLB stat line to carry over to MLB but given how Kepler underperformed for years and then burst out last season, I think that MiLB line is a solid place to start. That stat line has been dragged way down by his early seasons.

I think this is a great point. All that talent and potential, but young, a few injuries, and so raw held him down somewhat his first few seasons. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why, but I've always been a believer in him and his potential. I believe last season and the glimpses we've seen this season are real. In fact, I'm actually a little surprised, pleasantly so, by his play so far this year.

 

I know this may sound strange, but I've always seen him as a slightly poorer version of Mauer as a hitter, but with more power and speed. I believe he could do well in the 5 spot, but feel he's the team's eventual 3 hitter.

Kepler's Laws.

Too brainy

 

We need a nickname for the overhang that Kepler hits all his homeruns into

Max's Ausfahrt (which is the sign for autobahn exits...American's turn into 12 year old boys every time they see the sign)

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_hiBElII0E/Td60KlQ2MEI/AAAAAAAABD0/m7d2iNZ5rHA/s1600/ausfahrt.jpg

 

I posted this the other day.

 

I was not sold on Kepler being able to contribute much this year as he has been a 1 year per level player in the past and even though he could be a prime candidate for a sophmore slump, I have seen enough to be convinced he is going to be a 10 year star in this league if he can maintain health. It may take until 2019 to get the consistency down but I could see Ellis Burks type numbers for him from the #2 hole. That would be impressive.

 

FYI Ellis Burks 162 game average

101 runs/ 33 doubles/ 5 triples/ 29 homers/ 98 RBI/ 15 steals and a career WAR of 49.6

 

My thought is he is the perfect #2 hitter. Left handed, plate discipline, runs well and enough pop to make a pitcher pay.

From Phil Miller's postgame blog last night:

 

“It’s a real shame when you can’t get any of those runs out there,” Kepler said, “but I got a second chance and kind of redemptified myself.”

    No, it’s not really a word. But it should be.

 

Kepler was referring to getting only 1 RBI in two bases-loaded plate appearances.

 

So far, Kepler has been great!! If the Twins do better in the second half of the season I have to believe Kepler will be a big part of that. I just hope he doesn't regress like Sano does this year. We need some young guys to contribute now and not fall off the following year (I expect Kepler to struggle some, just not for like half a year).

Sano was never going to sustain his .396 BABIP from last season. Despite that, he's still had a pretty good year (injury aside).

 

And... Kepler has been awesome since his most recent call up, that is all.

Edited July 9, 201610 yr by King

 

I know this may sound strange, but I've always seen him as a slightly poorer version of Mauer as a hitter, but with more power and speed. I believe he could do well in the 5 spot, but feel he's the team's eventual 3 hitter.

 

For some reason he looks more like Morneau to me than Mauer. He has the sweet swing of Mauer but is more willing to muscle up with that power swing when he sees his pitch. He doesn't have 30+ HR power like Morneau did but I still like that well-rounded approach more than Mauer's when it comes to a middle-order hitter like we hope he'll be.

Max just made me think of a young Mantle when I first started watching him when he came to camp.  Very young, and raw, but a body to grow into. It's been a trip watching him work his way up, as he's had some bad times, injuries etc, but I've seen a big difference this year compared to last.  When he was called up late last year he didn't get much of a chance, but did get his first hit. He was starry eyed, and out of his element.  This year he looks so much more comfortable and confident. And now he's discovered he can hit the ball out of any park, and is feeding off of that.  The pitchers will figure him out, but he's got a good eye in the box and good brain in his noggin.  He's here to stay and will give us all many memories.

I'll give him the ultimate Tom Kelly compliment: I think Kepler has a chance to be a pretty good little ball player.

He needs work on angles off the wall. The misplay on the corner bounce in Texas late in the game on Friday 7/8 turned a double into a triple and a following fly ball into a go ahead sac fly, and that was the game.

Edited July 9, 201610 yr by h2oface