Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Max Kepler

How Max Kepler built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Maximilian Kepler-Różycki, a German-American professional baseball outfielder, currently plays for the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB. Previously, he played for the Minnesota Twins, debuting in 2015. Before the MLB, Kepler played in Germany's Baseball-Bundesliga. He bats and throws left-handed. He holds the record for the most career home runs by a German-born MLB player.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Signed with the Minnesota Twins

In 2009, at the age of 16, Max Kepler signed with the Minnesota Twins for US$800,000, which was the largest signing bonus given by an MLB franchise to a European-born player.

2010: American Debut with GCL Twins

In 2010, Max Kepler made his American debut in the rookie level with the Gulf Coast League (GCL) playing for the GCL Twins.

2011: Promoted to Elizabethton Twins

In 2011, Max Kepler was promoted to the Elizabethton Twins of the Rookie-Advanced Appalachian League.

2012: Assigned to Elizabethton Twins

In 2012, Max Kepler was assigned to Elizabethton for the season.

2013: Assigned to Glendale Desert Dogs

After the 2013 regular season, the Twins assigned Max Kepler to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League.

2013: Assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels

In 2013, an elbow injury delayed the start of Kepler's season, and he was assigned to the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single–A Midwest League.

2014: Played for Fort Myers Miracle

In 2014, Max Kepler played for the Fort Myers Miracle of the High–A Florida State League.

September 21, 2015: Promoted to Major Leagues

On September 21, 2015, the Twins promoted Max Kepler to the major leagues.

September 27, 2015: Major League Debut

On September 27, 2015, Max Kepler made his major league debut.

October 4, 2015: Recorded First Hit

On October 4, 2015, Max Kepler recorded his first hit.

2015: Named Southern League Player of the Year

In 2015, Max Kepler finished the season with a .327 batting average, nine home runs, and 18 stolen bases and was named Southern League Player of the Year.

2016: Promoted and Recalled to Major Leagues

In 2016, Max Kepler was assigned to the Rochester Red Wings, promoted to the major leagues on April 10 to replace Danny Santana, optioned back to Rochester fifteen days later, and then recalled on June 1 to replace Miguel Sanó.

2017: Played in 147 Games and Reached Postseason

During the 2017 season, Max Kepler played in 147 games, hit 19 home runs and had 69 RBI, helping the Twins reach the postseason for the first time since 2010. He also played in the 2017 American League Wild Card Game.

2017: Opening Day Starter and Walk-Off Hit

In 2017, Max Kepler was an Opening Day starter for the first time and collected a hit in his first at-bat. On August 31, he became the second player in Twins history to have a walk-off hit by the pitch in a game against the Chicago White Sox.

April 11, 2018: Hit Walk-Off Home Run

On April 11, 2018, Max Kepler hit a walk-off home run against Brad Peacock of the defending champion Houston Astros.

February 14, 2019: Signed Five-Year Contract with Twins

On February 14, 2019, Max Kepler signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Twins, which included a team option for the 2024 season.

2019: Set Home Run Record for European-Born Player

In 2019, Max Kepler finished the season with 36 home runs, setting a new single-season Major League record for home runs by a European-born player. He also drove in a career high 90 runs and finished 20th in the American League MVP voting.

2020: Finished Season with .228 Batting Average

In 2020, Max Kepler finished the season with a .228 batting average, hitting nine home runs and driving in 23 runs.

2022: Season Hampered by Toe Injury

In 2022, Max Kepler batted .227 with nine home runs and 43 runs batted in but was hampered by a second half toe injury, and was ultimately shut down in early September.

November 2, 2023: Twins Exercised Team Option

On November 2, 2023, the Twins exercised their $10 million team option on Max Kepler.

2023: Bounce Back Season

In 2023, Max Kepler had a bounce back season, batting .260 and leading the Twins with 24 home runs. His performance helped the Twins win their third American League Central title in five seasons.

June 14, 2024: Broke Target Field Home Run Record

On June 14, 2024, Max Kepler broke the Target Field home run record against the Oakland Athletics and also delivered a walk-off single later that night.