Max Kepler could have experienced playoff baseball in South Philadelphia last October but decided not to.
Kepler, 31, was recovering in a hotel room in Philadelphia after undergoing core muscle surgery in early October. He thought about going to an NLDS game at Citizens Bank Park. He could see the stadium from his hotel room. Kepler said he was “drugged up” and having difficulty walking, so he ultimately decided against heading to the ballpark. Instead, he had the game on the television.
Now a member of the Phillies, Kepler is excited to get started with his new club, hoping for a shot to play in front of the Citizens Bank Park crowd well into October later this year.
Kepler dealt with injuries for most of last season. It had an impact on his offense; he posted the lowest OPS+ of his career (91). On top of his core injury, he had a knee issue. He battled through both for months before landing on the injured list in early September.
Kepler is now 100% healthy. He’s excited to start this new chapter of his career. Signed to play in left field every day, Kepler is also confident he’ll be able to hit left-handed pitching. It’s something he’s done in the past.
“I don’t view myself as someone who struggles against lefties,” Kepler said. “There’s been a couple of years of my career where I’ve struggled against lefties. But it’s not like I’ve struggled every single year. So I would never view myself as someone who struggles against lefties.”
Kepler’s right. He has had both success and struggles against left-handed pitching throughout his decade-long career.
In 2018, he had a .745 OPS against lefties. A year later, he posted a .880 OPS versus left-handers — a career-best. Two seasons ago, in 97 plate appearances, Kepler hit .250 off lefties with a .751 OPS. But, between 2021 and 2022, Kepler had a hard time against southpaws, hitting a combined .197/.286/.303 in 248 plate appearances.
Kepler was in a platoon situation last year with the Twins. Most of his plate appearances were against right-handed pitching. Even though it came in a much smaller sample, Kepler actually hit better against lefties (.721 OPS) than righties (.672 OPS).
In general, though, Kepler thinks the key for left-handed hitters to perform well against left-handed pitchers is getting the reps. Inconsistent at-bats against same-handed pitching can make it hard on a hitter.
“I think once a lefty [hitter] routinely, consistently sees a lefty [pitcher], just like righties consistently get to see righties, it comes easier,” said Kepler. “Obviously, if you don’t see a lefty for months, then it’s going to be something new at a different angle coming at you opposed to what you’re used to.”
Getting more consistent playing time with the Phillies, Kepler is certain he’ll be able to hit left-handed pitching, “For me, I hope I get to get the consistency to show and prove that I can hit lefties because I’m certain I can hit lefties; I’ve done it my whole career.”
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