Appreciating Max Kepler

I'm with you. He had several nice plays again tonight.

AND Der Schlagger has moved into fourth on the Career Homers by a Player Born in Germany list. He's on pace to catch Mike Blowers in either late 2019 or early 2020. 

Kepler had an amazing run last summer, that showed that he could be someone special, I think he will put up great numbers that will continue to improve for the next 4 - 5 years.

I get your use of the word maybe but I would plunk down a $100 on Max making 2 all star teams if I had 2-1 odds.

I never bought in on Kepler until he came up to the Twins and then I became a fan. If he stays healthy I could see him have 750 xbh and I think he will be a fringe gold glove candidate. I would not bet on him winning one but he might be in the discussion as the best fielding corner outfielder a few years.

OK, how does the internet know to have an ad for "Rhine River Cruises" on this spot about Kepler? Hmmmmh!

Did anyone know his parents were ballerinas?

I had heard that, and technically I think, his dad is a ballerino... ;-)

Did anyone know his parents were ballerinas?

It seems to be mentioned by practically every visiting team radio broadcast when playing the Twins.

I believe it was either the KC or Cleveland broadcasters who recently asked Kepler what to call a male ballet dancer, and Max replied with "soloist".

It seems to be mentioned by practically every visiting team radio broadcast when playing the Twins.

Lots of time to kill between pitches in a baseball broadcast!

My favorite Twin!

I appreciate Max Kepler. 

Of course.... 'Merica!

but in honor of Der Max...Fur das vaterland, Deutschland uber alles!

Every season, the Twins should have at least one "Max Kepler Dollar Brat Night".   Get Sheboygan to sponsor it.  Replace the regular lame walk-up music wiith Polka Music and "Wock Me Like a Huwhickane" by the German Band Scorpions (maybe the German language versions of songs recorded by The Beatles and Peter Gabriel).   Maybe Bring Back Nickel "Bier" Night.    Max Schnell  !!!!!

He is this generation's Micheal Cuddyer with more speed and less magic.

I believe he's just scratching the surface of his potential. And while I won't compare him to the powerful and dangerous Sano, or the uber talented Buxton, I wouldn't be surprised in a year or two if he isn't the Twins most complete hitter; factoring in AVG, OB, SLG, total bases, etc.

Loving Kepler. He's a great fit in RF and looks very comfortable over there. With him and Buxton in the lineup you can actually get away with playing someone like Grossman in the OF because they cover so much territory.

I hope he continues to improve the BA and the OBP. I don't think he needs to become a 30 HR guy to have a great, all-star career but he'll be a bigger weapon in the lineup if he's ripping doubles all day and hitting .280.

Loving Kepler. He's a great fit in RF and looks very comfortable over there. With him and Buxton in the lineup you can actually get away with playing someone like Grossman in the OF because they cover so much territory.

 

I hope he continues to improve the BA and the OBP. I don't think he needs to become a 30 HR guy to have a great, all-star career but he'll be a bigger weapon in the lineup if he's ripping doubles all day and hitting .280.

Max looking like a doubles machine is why I think long term he is a perfect #2 hitter. 1/3 of the time they are at the plate with nobody on and 1 out. In that situation your job is to get into scoring position. Being left handed also shield the catcher a bit on attempted steals by the leadoff guy.

Yes, I agree with Trevor, give him a 10 year contract!!

Comp of Josh Reddick?

Max looking like a doubles machine is why I think long term he is a perfect #2 hitter. 1/3 of the time they are at the plate with nobody on and 1 out. In that situation your job is to get into scoring position. Being left handed also shield the catcher a bit on attempted steals by the leadoff guy.

 

Yes, I agree with Trevor, give him a 10 year contract!!

I've wondered about him hitting 3rd with Sano moving down to cleanup.

I too think he has only begun to realize his full potential…

He is showing this year that he can readjust after pitchers adjusted to him (this is by far the biggest step that a hitter can make).

I will go a step further to predict that he will develop into a major threat and find himself in the #3 slot in the batting order in the next two years.

There is also a chance (20%) that he ends up with a better career than Sano.

Fun to speculate.  He certainly has shown the drive to improve and continues to show that he has more potential.  I am not wise enough to know if that is star level, but certainly a vital clog - like Bob Allison from the sixties. 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/allisbo01.shtml

I don't think this is an original take (meaning I probably saw it somewhere), but he has Paul O'Neil upside IMO.

He reminds me a bit of a young Shawn Green and man I hope he ends up like him.

Anyway, I'm been a big fan of his since well before he hit the majors and I haven't waivered.

Shawn Green was my initial thought too, but he probably doesn't have the power upside.

 

Paul O'Neill strikes me as a great comp.

Or the steal potential.

Paul O'Neil is a very good comp. I said Ellis Burks in that thread. Either one would be great. I do still like a guy like Kepler in the #2 hole but we still need our version of Larry Walker to be our #3 hitter with Sano as cleanup.

YES, I AM GREEDY!!!!