Max Kepler Stats
- Height / Weight
- 6' 4" / 225 lbs.
- Date of Birth (Age)
- 2/10/1993 (31)
- Experience
- 9
- College
- None
Max Kepler Season Stats
Last 10 Games
Max Kepler News
Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) will start his minor-league rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday. Kepler landed on the injured list with a right-knee contusion but was able to run the bases this week and will now start playing in minor-league games to end the week. Barring a setback with St. Paul, the 31-year-old left-handed outfielder could be able to return from the IL by early next week. When healthy, Kepler should play regularly against right-handed pitchers despite getting just one hit in his first 20 at-bats of the season. Until Kepler is able to return, the likes of Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach and Manuel Margot will battle for extra playing in right field for the Twins.
The plan is for Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) to run the bases at Target Field on Tuesday or Wednesday, and a rehab assignment could come shortly thereafter. Kepler was placed on the injured list last Tuesday with a right knee contusion he sustained on Opening Day, as he was still experiencing soreness after trying to play through the issue following a few days of rest. If all goes well in his recovery, the 31-year-old righty masher should be able to return to the banged-up Twins before the end of April. Not only did Kepler struggle during the spring, but he also went just 1-for-20 to begin the regular season before going down and doesn't need to be stashed in most fantasy leagues. More at-bats will remain available to Matt Wallner, Manuel Margot, and Austin Martin in Minnesota's outfield in the interim, but none of which are worth rostering in the majority of settings at this time.
The Minnesota Twins placed outfielder Max Kepler (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a right-knee contusion. The club also acquired right-hander Michael Tonkin from the New York Mets for cash considerations and moved right-hander Zack Weiss (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list with a right-shoulder strain. The 31-year-old Kepler has struggled with injuries in his career and will now miss at least the next 10 days with what doesn't appear to be a major injury. He last played on Saturday and will be eligible to return to the Twins on April 17. In addition to the injury, Kepler has gone just 1-for-20 with six strikeouts in his first five games in 2024. Until he's able to return, Manuel Margot and Matt Wallner will likely platoon in right field.
Batting Order
1 | Edouard Julien |
2 | Ryan Jeffers |
3 | Byron Buxton |
4 | Alex Kirilloff |
5 | Jose Miranda |
6 | Trevor Larnach |
7 | Austin Martin |
8 | Willi Castro |
9 | Kyle Farmer |
Max Kepler Stats
Last 10 Games
Batting Order
1 | Edouard Julien |
2 | Ryan Jeffers |
3 | Byron Buxton |
4 | Alex Kirilloff |
5 | Jose Miranda |
6 | Trevor Larnach |
7 | Austin Martin |
8 | Willi Castro |
9 | Kyle Farmer |
After his 2019 breakout, Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler took a step back in 2020. In 196 plate appearances, Kepler posted just a .228/.321/.439 line with nine home runs and 23 RBI. Over a full 162-game season (assuming 500 at-bats) Kepler's home run total equated to, roughly, a 27 HR season. Though this output constituted a decline from his 36 HR campaign in 2019, it was in line with pre-season expectations given his prior underlying power metrics. A 2020 decline in overall exit velocity, a decrease in exit velocity on FB/LD (91.3 mph in 2020 down from 92.9 mph in 2019), a low barrel rate, and a 10% drop in the percentage of 100 mph fly balls hit in 2020 (when compared to 2019), suggested an even steeper drop in HR totals. However, Kepler's 21.9 degree launch angle likely capped this HR decline by driving up his fly ball volume. All of these figures suggest a further decrease in HR numbers for Kepler in 2021. In terms of average, Kepler's .258 xBA and plate discipline metrics consistent with his 2019 totals suggest he was relatively unlucky in this department in 2020. Kepler should see some rebound in batting average in 2021, though struggles with offspeed pitches, breaking balls, and lefties could cap such positive regression. With an ADP of 182, Kepler makes for a reasonable pick as a third or fourth outfielder who can offer 20-25 HR, solid RBI, and run totals, with an average around .250.