Max Kepler Can’t Hurt the Minnesota Twins Anymore

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Max Kepler
Credit: John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins have been walking wounded for much of the second half. Injuries have ravaged the roster and Rocco Baldelli has had to pick up the pieces. And now, Max Kepler is the latest piece heading to the Twins’ injured list.

Minnesota Twins finally make a move on Max Kepler

The German right fielder has been dealing with knee soreness for a few days now. He was scratched from recent lineups, as he’s tried to work through the pain. It’s likely the issue stems from much further back, however.

Since June, Kepler has hit a terrible .239/.278/.331, across 66 games. He has done this charade in previous seasons, as well. Playing through injury is one thing, but when it hurts the team, who are you helping? But finally, the Twins have seen enough.

The Twins continued to run Kepler out, because of his defense. With Byron Buxton out, he was the only plus-defender available to Rocco Baldelli. No doubt Kepler is an asset in right field, which is even more reason to get him healthy. Hopefully, he has enough time to heal, prior to the playoffs. That could be part of the decision to put him on the shelf now. But why oh why did we wait this long?

Related: Byron Buxton Going Back on Twins Shelf After Apparent Setback

Kepler is in the final year of a six-year deal he signed around the same time as Jorge Polanco, who was traded last offseason. Kepler, a fan favorite, has generated nearly 20.0 fWAR with Minnesota, but his offensive production leaves plenty to be desired, especially in terms of consistency. Outside of the 2019 season with a juiced baseball, Kepler never really realized his potential, offensively.

Who is Twins DaShawn Keirsey Jr.?

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was the Minnesota Twins fourth round pick during the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. Taken from the University of Utah, the outfielder is 27 years old. Across 471 minor league games he owns a .759 OPS, but has posted .821 and .839 OPS tallies for the Saints over the last two years.

Similar to Byron Buxton, Keirsey is an excellent defender. A right-handed Keirsey Jr. would have been on the roster weeks ago. He immediately becomes the best center fielder on the Twins roster, and should serve well as a regular defensive replacement, late in games. Keirsey Jr. is more contact than power, at the plate, but can have some sneaky pop, as well.

Strikeouts are definitely something that Keirsey Jr. is susceptible to, but he draws his fair share of walks. On the basepaths he can be a menace, and should be used for the postseason roster.

He has stolen 117 bases the past three seasons and has been caught just 19 times. The stolen base threat is something Minnesota doesn’t really have on their current roster.

Related: Minnesota Twins Play Royce Lewis at 2nd Base Against His Wishes

It is possible that Rocco Baldelli goes with all left-handed outfields to start against right-handed pitchers. Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner would flank Keirsey Jr. in that scenario.

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