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Minnesota Twins: Max Kepler Showing Why He Is Here To Stay

By Jackson Bruce

Apr 18, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Max Kepler (26) slides safe into home beating Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez (55) tag during the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Max Kepler (26) slides safe into home beating Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez (55) tag during the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Twins offense has looked much improved to start the season. One of the key factors in the offensive boost has been outfielder Max Kepler.

The Minnesota Twins have been producing young talent in the minors for years. Those players have made it to the majors with varying levels of success. While Byron Buxton struggles and Miguel Sano continues to mash, Max Kepler continues to show he is a productive big league player.

This season, Kepler has a slash line of .278/.354/.472 which is much higher than his numbers last season of .235/.309/.424. In 2016, Kepler showed he had sticking power in his 113 games with the Twins. The German product hit 17 home runs and drove in 63 runs along with posting 2.3 wins above replacement. He even received an AL Player of the Week honor in August of last season.

While there are question marks around the young talent the Twins have gathered over the years, like Buxton, Jorge Polanco and Danny Santana, Kepler has been a bright spot. In 21 games played this season, Kepler has five multi-hit games and only six games with no hits at all. He is showing he can produce on a nightly basis.

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Kepler is part of the young core the Twins are building

Along with Kepler, Sano has been showing his All Star form that scouts have been raving about the last few years. With Kepler consistently hitting and Sano living up to his potential, this Twins team could have a potent duo on their hands. What makes it even scarier is the fact Buxton hasn’t shown his true potential. If he does, watch out.

Kepler is only 24 years old which, oddly enough, makes him the oldest of the Twins three exciting young players. Sano and Buxton are each currently 23. The trio has the chance to be the most exciting in baseball. Sano brings the power, Buxton brings the speed, and Kepler brings a bit of both (six stolen bases in 2016).

Kepler is on track to hit nearly 20 home runs and with an average around .280 this season. Those are similar to the numbers All Star outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. and Ian Desmond put up in 2016. With All Star caliber play from Kepler to go along with the production of Brian Dozier and Sano, the Twins are in for major improvement from 2016. Their 11-11 record is proof.

Next: Brandon Kintzler Keeps Closing the Door

After a disastrous season last year, the Twins are improving early in 2017. Hovering around .500 at the end of April is better than the horrendous 59-103 season last year. That can be attributed to the Twins offense coming around. A mainstay in that batting order has been Max Kepler, and he has shown he should be there for the long haul.

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