Max Kepler - My Adopted Prospect

[righty8383]

This guy was supposedly very raw and his skill set was based on athleticism. That's why I was surprised today when I saw his BB/K numbers.

 

20BB/15k in 143 PA? That is very impressive. That kind of plate presence often leads to quick promotions.

This and the fact that he has started to hit for some power is making me like him more and more. I would love to see him promoted sooner than later to see what he can do in a league that isn't so hitter friendly.

[Obie]

2015 position players:

 

Aaron Hicks, RF

Max Kepler, LF

Joe Mauer, C

Miguel Sano, 1B

Oswaldo Arcia, DH

Trevor Plouffe, 3B

Joe Benson, CF

Brian Dozier, SS/2B

Levi Michael, 2B/SS

 

 

X

Michael is very questionable. Rosario is much more likely.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Interesting note from Terry Ryan on Kepler:

 

"He can play CF, but he's also been playing 1B for us."

 

I'd heard in the spring, he'd be working out at 1B, but he hasn't played an inning yet at 1B in a game (according to baseball-reference.com)

[kab21]

Interesting note from Terry Ryan on Kepler:

 

"He can play CF, but he's also been playing 1B for us."

 

I'd heard in the spring, he'd be working out at 1B, but he hasn't played an inning yet at 1B in a game (according to baseball-reference.com)

This could be so that they have some flexibility in the future since there are a lot of OF'ers and very few 1B prospects. If a 1Bman is athletic enough it's easy to move to the OF and learn to run down flyballs but it's not as easy to learn to play the infield. It's a very different skillset.

[shs_59]

Today, in Buxtons debut game for Appy League E-Town Twins.

Max Kepler (and A.B. Walker) stole the show.

 

Kepler went 4-4, HR (8) , 2B (12) and SB (5) !!!

 

great game for max today, and he's now batting in the .290 range.

[rickyhawaii]

Kepler should get promoted soon, got to love what he's doing and his potential. He should definitely be a top 50-100 prospect in all of MLB.

[glunn]

If Kepler is promoted to Beloit, then he can bat after Rosario and Sano -- a young murderers' row for pitchers.

[Seth Stohs]

I'd leave Kepler right where he is until at least after the E-Town playoffs. He's still be able to play in the Midwest League playoffs. Twins did that with Deibinson Romero and Rene Tosoni last time the Snappers made the playoffs.

 

Kepler is putting up encouraging numbers, but he's so young and so raw, and it's not like he's putting up Arcia, Rosario or even Sano numbers in E-Town.

[Oxtung]

I'd leave Kepler right where he is until at least after the E-Town playoffs. He's still be able to play in the Midwest League playoffs. Twins did that with Deibinson Romero and Rene Tosoni last time the Snappers made the playoffs.

 

Kepler is putting up encouraging numbers, but he's so young and so raw, and it's not like he's putting up Arcia, Rosario or even Sano numbers in E-Town.

I agree with what I assume was your main point; Kepler will not be ranked in the top 100 prospects lists. However, he is 19 this year in E-Town the same age as Arcia/Rosario and a year older than Sano was. So he isn't exactly young any more (compared to his competition at least). You're right he isn't putting up Arcia/Rosario/Sano numbers but he isn't that far off at this point either. His OPS is .019 less than Sano's was. He is definitely having a very good year and should move up the Twins prospect lists I would think.

[luckylager]

Congratulations to my adopted prospect, Max Kepler, as well as Elizabethton teammate Candido Pimentel on being named to the 2012 Appalachian League All-Star team. Pimental was also named 2012 Appy Player of the Year!

 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120823&content_id=37214284&vkey=news_l120&fext=.jsp&sid=l120

[gunnarthor]

In today's fangraphs chat:

"Which prospect would you put more stock in: Bubba Starling or Max Kepler? Both have athleticism for days, Kepler currently has better numbers and is also a year younger but is also repeating the level........ "

Newman: "I'd rather have Kepler. Hands down."

 

Pretty interesting. Starling was BA #24 after he was picked 5th in the loaded 2011 draft.

[greengoblinrulz]

Max final numbers

59gms 232ABs .297/.387/.539 40runs 16doubles 5triples 10HR 49rbi 33k 27bb 7/7sb's

finished first in Slgg & Total Bases

2nd in OPS, triples & RBI

Tied 4th in HR/doubles

6th in OBP

9th in BAve, tied 9th in runs

 

Will be nice to see how he rates this offseason in the top 100.....definately outperformed Bubba

[gunnarthor]

Max final numbers

59gms 232ABs .297/.387/.539 40runs 16doubles 5triples 10HR 49rbi 33k 27bb 7/7sb's

finished first in Slgg & Total Bases

2nd in OPS, triples & RBI

Tied 4th in HR/doubles

6th in OBP

9th in BAve, tied 9th in runs

 

Will be nice to see how he rates this offseason in the top 100.....definately outperformed Bubba

 

Yeah, I linked the fangraphs guy b/c that was the first time I'd seen someone suggest Kepler higher than Starling (and later in the chat he suggested Buxton was a lot higher than Starling). I don't think Kepler will be on any top 100 lists next year but it's good to see him get some recognition. Nice season for a lot of Twins prospects this year.