Minor League Ball's Nick Melotte on Kepler

[nytwinsfan]

Interesting take on Kepler from Minor League Ball's Nick Melotte's observations of game 5 of the Southern League Championship against Biloxi.  To say he was impressed by Kepler is an understatement, and the stats on that Home Run are quite impressive. Only dissapointment is that he didn't have much to say about the other Twins minor leaguers (like Polano or Walker), other than a bit on Baxendale. Here is the money paragraph on Kepler with highlights in bold.

 

Chattanooga 1B Max Kepler went VERY deep to right on a 91 mph fastball in the third inning, depositing the pitch over the right field bleachers and out of AT&T Field. The ball was clocked at 111 mph off the bat and was estimated to have gone 430 feet (that is, if it actually landed). The swing was so smooth and effortless, and the sound off the bat was different than anything else I heard that night. It was an impressive shot that got out in a hurry, and would end up being the only hit of the game for Kepler as he walked twice and struck out in his other three trips to the dish. He showed good patience at the plate and a good idea of the strike zone, not chasing anything out of the zone. After the game, Kepler received the call to Minnesota to cap off a pretty insane 24 hours. He might be finally putting it all together, and will likely start the 2016 season with AAA Rochester. It's hard to tell where Kepler will wind up defensively in the grand scheme of things for the Twinkies, but his bat is something special. I could definitely see a few .300 seasons out of him and agree with John's take as a high average and on base guy with developing power.

 

 

Also, while we are on the topic of Kepler, I really hope he gets a shot to start tomorrow in game 162, and I imagine he will. I want to see that swing and strike zone judgment.

[jokin]

 

Interesting take on Kepler from Minor League Ball's Nick Melotte's observations of game 5 of the Southern League Championship against Biloxi.  To say he was impressed by Kepler is an understatement, and the stats on that Home Run are quite impressive. Only dissapointment is that he didn't have much to say about the other Twins minor leaguers (like Polano or Walker), other than a bit on Baxendale. Here is the money paragraph on Kepler with highlights in bold.

 

 

Also, while we are on the topic of Kepler, I really hope he gets a shot to start tomorrow in game 162, and I imagine he will. I want to see that swing and strike zone judgment.

 

We talked about that HR on this forum a couple weeks ago, having visited there in May, I can attest that hitting that ball over the 20' wall and the picnic terrace above it is definitely a mammoth shot.  

 

If Kepler does add to the glimpses we've seen of that power component on a more permanent basis, you could have a wonderful combination of a little of Justin Morneau power and a little of Highpockets Kelly ## defense at 1B starting in 2017 to 2027.

 

## He just looks long and lean in a graceful sort of way that I can imagine in my mind how HOFer Kelly may have played- same height, similar weight nd build- Frankie Frisch called Highpockets the greatest defensive First baseman he'd ever seen. While Kepler looked good at 1st when I saw him, probably too soon to give him a gold glove, but I think he's capable of winning at least one before his career is over.- Dougie's influence on him was obvious from the times I have seen him play.

[nytwinsfan]

 

We talked about that HR on this forum a couple weeks ago, having visited there in May, I can attest that hitting that ball over the 20' wall and the picnic terrace above it is definitely a mammoth shot.  

 

If Kepler does add to the glimpses we've seen of that power component on a more permanent basis, you could have a wonderful combination of a little of Justin Morneau power and a little of Highpockets Kelly ## defense at 1B starting in 2017 to 2027.

 

## He just looks long and lean in a graceful sort of way that I can imagine in my mind how HOFer Kelly may have played- same height, similar weight nd build- Frankie Frisch called Highpockets the greatest defensive First baseman he'd ever seen. While Kepler looked good at 1st when I saw him, probably too soon to give him a gold glove, but I think he's capable of winning at least one before his career is over.- Dougie's influence on him was obvious from the times I have seen him play.

I still think ideally Kepler would be a corner outfielder. I'm still not convinced Hicks is more than a good platoon/4th outfielder.  But I do agree that Kepler will get more than a bit of time at 1B next year at some point. Good to hear his defense there looks very good.

 

[jokin]

 

I still think ideally Kepler would be a corner outfielder. I'm still not convinced Hicks is more than a good platoon/4th outfielder.  But I do agree that Kepler will get more than a bit of time at 1B next year at some point. Good to hear his defense there looks very good.

 

I agree on Hicks, not sure how the organization views him for sure. I think they will likely bring back Hunter as both insurance and head babysitter. Hicks had a very misleading season, but I'd put money on the idea  that they currently plan for him to take over in RF when Buxton comes in full-time and Torii gets gradually eased out over the course of next season.  Which leaves Max without a position to play in the OF. Assuming Plouffe is gone, Arcia (and Vargas to an extent) complicate things, as well, for Kepler to get DH reps, should either make a strong claim for the spot.  Which leaves 1st and what to do with Mauer and Kepler both needing a spot and down to one musical chair left.