Will Max Kepler Take the Next Step in 2018?

I seriously hope a Kepler breakout is next on the to-do list. Assuming sustained performances from Rosie and Buck, if Kepler piles on, I'd consider placing money on them in Vegas as the best outfield in the league combining both offensive and defensive metrics.

Thanks. Encouraging article.

I would bet on Kepler will take a step forward. His BABIP will be better. He will improve against lefties though increased opportunities will be a drag on his overall numbers. I think we will see more power against right handed pitching.

You are spot on that Kepler is on the verge of a breakthrough. The Twins need to take the same approach they took with Buxton in 2017 - play Max every day and let him work it out and get the needed experience - including against left handed pitching.

We'll see. He is *so bad* v. lefties, it has to get better. If he can maintain the other parts of his game and figure out how to do something against lefties (either hitting for power, average, or both), he'll be fine.

I'm betting Mauer would be a great asset to help Kepler figure this out, if anyone important is reading this.

Inching toward being good. Is at this time solid. Sometimes it feels like he is trying to do to much like a lot of young players. The more AB's he gets the more comfortable he will be. I would look for him to hit 20 HR with 15 SB and a 275 ave. Again very solid. Good defense and still huge upside.

As far as the launch angle stuff I always laugh a bit as an old school guy.... Launch angle increases and his popup rate increase and folks are concerned? Um that would be logical scientifically! Some of the sabre metrics are interesting some are just silly.

I remain cautiously optimistic. If things DON’T work out, plan B might be platooning with Garver (who would play left field).

Plan C might be Granite or Wade - maybe a true lead off hitter?

Then Kirilloff and or Rooker in 2020.

Good thing Kepler doesn’t read this article. Or it would be like the famous golf professional Bob Tosk once said, “Paralysis because of over Analysis”.

I agree that is important but a good teacher presents things in such a manner that it doesn’t overload the brain. Sure Martinez and Turner improved by applying these metrics but, I think, the vast majority of good hitters developled these techniques at a young age without even realizing it. And a lot of the overload stuff depends on the person themselve.

For every Turner you have a Yogi Berra, who said, “you can hit and think at the same time”.

Also, another great way to learn hitting is like the kid we signed from the Pittsburg area a few years ago whose dad had a hitting academy. He probably was in the cage everyday hitting and learning without any pressure. But not too many have that opportunity. But your right that analytics play a role......I’m just saying that not everybody is the same in learning. Ted Williams was very technical....probably one of the first...then you have a

Mickey Mantle who was the ultimate natural. Interesting Discussion!

I think the first sentence of the article nails it.  Kepler is on a team with a lot of exciting young players. He also has a mild manner, so he's doesn't stick out otherwise.

His numbers look like a good young player adjusting to the big league game. His MiLB BABIPs were much higher, so expect that to even out with some better luck and as he becomes more of a steady pro. From the interviews that I've heard with him, he appears to have good make-up and seems to be someone that would be open to critique and making adjustments to improve his game.

I wouldn't be surprised with numbers like what Marty Cordova put up when he won ROY.  

I hope Max Kepler is a Twin for a long time.  

Was just about a year ago an article came out with Kepler kind of defying a lot of current baseball logic with his approach to hitting.  I wonder if that has anything to do with things?  http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins/max-kepler-looks-to-bonds-for-hitting-inspiration-r5406

I would definitely play him more against lefties, let him get the reps.  With his swing there is no way he shouldn't hit them better.  I often wondered if maybe it would help if he closed his stance a little more against lefties.  Maybe that would help him hang in there a little better rather than flying open-just a guess-not an expert in mechanics by any means.  

I'd agree that over thinking things during game situations is usually a very bad thing for a baseball player. But I sure hope Max is thinking about this kind of stuff and putting in work to make adjustments in the offseason so things come naturally once it's game time.

I've gathered from this site that the new hitting coach's philosophy might be consistent with this. Tweak, don't change.

I'd like them to go thick n thin with Max this year let him follow Rosie's lead

I hope so. It would be cool to be running on maximum Kepler every game.