Miller: Kepler has clean slate and fresh mind-set

[Seth Stohs]

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Phil Miller is an international traveler himself, but Max Kepler does offseason the right way!

Coming off the worst season of his career, Kepler spent two months living in Paris with his girlfriend, completely clearing his mind and putting it all behind him. He arrived in Ft. Myers two weeks early, ready to make a fresh start. Kepler said, "It 100 percent helped to get away. It always does, even if it's a great season. Being in Paris, being with her, it did take my mind off my [toe] injury,"

Kepler is not real active on social media, but he occasionally heard rumors about being traded, or that the Twins wanted to trade him. 

Quote

"Rumors are always circulating. My name is brought up every year, it seems like. And nothing ever happens," Kepler said. "I'm barely on social media, so I can't say it was any different than before. I just try to stay focused on what I'm doing and don't worry about it."

Having talked with Max a lot more earlier in his minor-league career, I was always astounded by how laid back he was. Always so cool and calm. Able to clear his mind, and yet really deep and in tune with nature and his environment. I actually read this and believe that he was able to distance himself and not think or certainly not worry about the rumors. 

How will this play out?

[Parfigliano]

6 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

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Phil Miller is an international traveler himself, but Max Kepler does offseason the right way!

Coming off the worst season of his career, Kepler spent two months living in Paris with his girlfriend, completely clearing his mind and putting it all behind him. He arrived in Ft. Myers two weeks early, ready to make a fresh start. Kepler said, "It 100 percent helped to get away. It always does, even if it's a great season. Being in Paris, being with her, it did take my mind off my [toe] injury,"

Kepler is not real active on social media, but he occasionally heard rumors about being traded, or that the Twins wanted to trade him. 

Having talked with Max a lot more earlier in his minor-league career, I was always astounded by how laid back he was. Always so cool and calm. Able to clear his mind, and yet really deep and in tune with nature and his environment. I actually read this and believe that he was able to distance himself and not think or certainly not worry about the rumors. 

How will this play out?

Two months in Paris would go a long way towards clearing my mind too.  

[Doctor Gast]

IMO it'd go a long ways. Coming to camp refreshed & let that old swing come back

[Squirrel]

8 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Two months in Paris would go a long way towards clearing my mind too.  

Mine, too … especially if I had a beautiful apartment on Île Saint=Louis or in Montmartre … I love Paris …

[MGX]

It'd be great to see a bounce back season from Kepler!

[Mike Sixel]

When I was in Paris, we accidentally were there on Bastille Day. We just walked into a private area like we belonged (completely oblivious, we had no idea) and ended up watching the parade with a bunch of high ranking political types. The good old days.....

[DocBauer]

Always a huge fan and supporter of Max since the day he signed. I was really hoping he was finally hitting his ceiling in 2019. (heavy sigh). I'm just afraid he's never going to be the offensive player hoped for. But he's also not as bad as he was last year. I would love to see him healthy, clear mind, re-discover his power, and have a really nice rebound season. I just don't know what to hope for or expect after the past two years.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm a tiny bit hopeful, but not expecting much. I am less of a fan than I was, and am expecting him to be dealt at the deadline with Larnach, Lewis, Martin (with Gallo in right), Wallner, or someone else replacing him at that point. I mean, I'd do that NOW for a good prospect, but so far no biters (and I think the Twins want the depth).

[LA Vikes Fan]

I'm with Mike. I'm hopeful that the shift ban will help him some but it just doesn't seem likely to make that big a difference. He hits too many pop ups and weak ground balls and doesn't seem able or willing to correct his swing. I guess I'm just more disappointed than anything else. I really though Kepler had the chance to be a solid middle of the order bat with an .800 OPS and 20 plus HRs every year to go with his outstanding defense. Instead he is more of a low .700s OPS guy (worse last year at .666 but I do think the broken toe had a lot to do with that) who really should be hitting 8 or 9 in a competitive lineup. Or more accurately, a 4th OF/defensive replacement behind 2 corner OFs who can hit. I would absolutely trade him for a solid MLB reliever or a good prospect but he apparently isn't worth that on the open market. I'm rooting for the guy to come back strong but I think his track record shows that "strong" for him would be a .750 OPS, just not good enough for a corner OF on a competitive team.     

[tony&rodney]

Max still seems to have an athletic approach to playing baseball. We all know that he has been in a struggle with his swing path. Can Kepler bust out? The consensus seems to like Kepler but also tends to believe he is who he is as a hitter. The last few years have been tough for him. I would not bet a penny against Max though. I still like his approach at the plate, his eye, his aggressiveness and how he runs the bases in addition to his outstanding fielding. Maybe 2023 is the year of the Max.

[MGX]

Tend to agree with the consensus that he is a good defensive player who isn't what we expected offensively. With that said it's Spring Training & there are reasons to believe he'll be better than last year at least.