Max Kepler Turns the Tide After Rough Start to Phillies Tenure
The Philadelphia Phillies’ rocky April including a five-game skid and a sweep by the Mets had fans concerned, with frustrations spilling over onto offseason acquisition Max Kepler. Early comparisons to past free-agent disappointments like Whit Merrifield began to surface as Kepler struggled through the first few weeks of the season.
Through his first 19 games, the 32-year-old outfielder batted just .217 with a .641 OPS and only one homer, prompting doubts about his $10 million deal and his fit in an already lefty-heavy lineup. While his walk and strikeout rates were solid, the overall production left much to be desired.
But things have taken a sharp turn since the Phillies’ April 21 trip to New York. Kepler has been on fire, hitting .342 with a 1.106 OPS over his last 12 games, including four home runs and a .711 slugging percentage. Three of those homers came at Citizens Bank Park, a venue that plays well for left-handed power hitters.
Criticism around Kepler’s struggles against left-handed pitching was also a concern he hit just .182 against southpaws through April. But with extra work in the batting cage, he’s shown signs of improvement. He delivered a game-winning home run off a lefty on Friday and added a key sacrifice fly against another on Sunday. His season stats have improved to a .262 average, .806 OPS, five homers, 11 RBIs, and 18 runs scored.
With upcoming games against a string of right-handed starters from the Rays and Guardians, Kepler is poised to continue proving doubters wrong and secure his role as a key everyday contributor in the Phillies’ lineup.
