Adjustments at the plate are already ‘making sense’ for new Phillies outfielder Max Kepler
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Max Kepler is in a new place for the first time in more than a decade.
Kepler, who signed as an international free agent with the Minnesota Twins in 2009, spoke openly during his initial Zoom call with Philadelphia reporters about the anxiety that comes with introducing yourself to new people.
The experience so far has been smooth.
“I love stepping out of my comfort zone, challenging myself and getting to know all the guys in here,” Kepler said at his locker on Thursday in Clearwater. “I mean, I haven’t come across one bad apple, and everyone’s really open and welcoming. So it’s been a nice experience so far.”
He came into camp with Joe Ross being the only teammate he knew, but has taking a liking to his partner in the outfield, Brandon Marsh.
“Marshy is just that guy, Kepler said. “I think that he’s very easy to talk to, and is always trying to talk to you, you know. And that’s nice to have in a clubhouse of guys where you don’t know many.”
Kepler signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Phillies in the offseason to play left field. He has not played the position since he was in the minors, but the former Twins right fielder isn’t too concerned about the transition.
“It’s been interesting, but honestly, it’s just the same thing as right, but is just slices differently,” Kepler said. “Really, just the same slices and trying to man that gap with whoever is in center.”
The Phillies are taking a one-year flier on him, hoping he stays healthy and has one of his best offensive seasons in his career.
He missed time last year due to a knee injury. Hip issues impacted his ability to hit the ball hard and for power in the second half. He underwent offseason surgery to address the issue and feels healthy.
His last truly great stretch at the plate was in second-half of 2023. After posting a .688 OPS in the first half, Kepler slashed .306/.377/.549 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. Kepler, most of the Phillies lineup, is prone to streakiness, but a hot streak that lasts for an entire half of a season will play in the bottom half of the Phillies lineup.
The Phillies are also betting on having the right hitting coach to unlock Kepler. He visited with Kevin Long for a few days at the end of January. A self-proclaimed feel guy, Kepler was impressed with Long’s preparation and his personalized suggestions.
“I don’t really like to get into mechanics,” Kepler said. “There’s a time and place for it, but he knew exactly what drills would make me feel what I needed to feel when we were there. He’s on top of his game, for sure.”
Kepler is making some small adjustments to his stance. Instead of holding his bat straight up, he is laying his bat towards the dugout to create a more direct path to the ball. And in typical Long fashion, he is getting Kepler to use more of his lower body.
Kepler can already feel a difference.
“I mean, in the [live batting practices] we’ve had in the last couple days, I’ve been hitting the ball hard,” Kepler said. “You know, you can be a little nitpicky about angles and launch angles, and you know where the ball is going in the field, but just from squaring balls up to the pull side, I have noticed that it’s a huge difference to when I first come into camps, and I’m fouling balls off into the third base dugout and late. So I already noticed that with the adjustments, I have way more time and a lot of room to play with the bat head. So, yeah, it’s making sense.”
Camp Notes
- Starters Jesús Luzardo, Cristopher Sánchez and Zack Wheeler all threw live batting practice today. All three could pitch in the Grapefruit League next week. Aaron Nola (illness) is scheduled to throw live batting on Friday.
- Top position player prospect Aidan Miller recorded a base hit against Luzardo.
- Kepler, Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm, Weston Wilson, Rodolfo Castro and Rafael Marchan are among the players that are scheduled to make the trip to Lakeland to face the Detroit Tigers on Saturday in the Grapefruit League opener.
- The Phillies also tested the automated ball and strike (ABS) system that will be in use for most spring training games during live batting practice on Thursday at BayCare Ballpark. With ABS, pitchers, catchers and hitters can all challenge a strike or ball call. The challenge must be done immediately. Teams are limited to two challenges per game. You can retain your challenge if it is successful. Are players open-minded about it? “I think so,” Rob Thomson said. “I think for the guys that haven’t used it before, it’s interesting to them.” The ABS system could be in use for regular season games beginning in 2026.