Maximilian Kepler-Różycki Bio
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki is a German-American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He is known for his impressive Major League Baseball (MLB) career, primarily with the Minnesota Twins and more recently with the Philadelphia Phillies. Born in Berlin, Germany, Kepler has made significant contributions to the sport, including holding the record for most home runs hit in a career by a German-born player. He debuted in MLB in 2015 and has showcased his skills on the field, impacting the teams he has played for with his batting and defensive capabilities.
Early Life and Background
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki was born on February 10, 1993, in Berlin, Germany. He comes from a family of professional ballet dancers; his mother, Kathy Kepler, is from San Antonio, Texas, and his father, Marek Różycki, is from Poland. Kepler has one sister, Emma Różycki, who was a former golf prodigy. At the age of six, he began playing baseball at the Little League level with the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin. Although he received a scholarship at age seven to the Steffi Graf Tennis Foundation, he chose to pursue baseball instead.
Kepler attended the John F. Kennedy School and later the St. Emmeram Academy in Regensburg, where he was able to train in baseball more than the average American teenager. In addition to baseball, he played association football with Hertha BSC and played for Buchbinder Legionäre Regensburg, the highest baseball league in Germany.
Path to Baseball
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki’s journey to professional baseball began when he was noticed by Andy Johnson, an international scout for the Minnesota Twins, during a junior national tournament at the age of 14. At 16, he signed with the Twins in 2009 for $800,000, which was the largest signing bonus given by an MLB franchise to a European-born player at that time. Kepler made his American debut in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2010 and was promoted to the Elizabethton Twins of the Rookie-Advanced Appalachian League in 2011. An elbow injury delayed the start of his 2013 season, but he continued to progress through the ranks of the Twins’ minor league system.
After an impressive season in 2015, where he finished with a .327 batting average, nine home runs, and 18 stolen bases, Kepler was named Southern League Player of the Year. He made his major league debut on September 27, 2015, and recorded his first hit on October 4, 2015. His early career was marked by significant achievements, including being named co-American League Player of the Week in August 2016.
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki Career
Early Career (2015-2019)
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki’s early career in Major League Baseball began with the Minnesota Twins, where he quickly established himself as a valuable player. In his first full season in 2016, he finished with a .235 batting average, hitting 17 home runs and driving in 63 runs over 113 games. He became the first European-born Major League player to hit three home runs in a game on August 1, 2016, against the Cleveland Indians.
In 2019, Kepler signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Twins, which included a team option for the 2024 season. That year, he achieved a career milestone by hitting 36 home runs, setting the 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.
Breakthrough (2020-2023)
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki’s breakthrough came during the 2020 season when he was recognized for his consistent performance. He batted .228 with nine home runs and 23 runs batted in. The following year, he faced challenges with injuries but managed to contribute significantly to the Twins’ success.
In 2023, Kepler had a bounce-back season, batting .260 and leading the Twins with 24 home runs. His strong performance in the second half of the season helped the Twins win their third American League Central title in five seasons. On November 2, 2023, the Twins exercised their $10 million team option on Kepler for the 2024 season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki’s signature work includes setting the single-season home run record for European-born players in 2019. He has received recognition as a valuable player in the MLB, with multiple awards and accolades throughout his career.
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Maximilian Kepler-Różycki has been recognized for his achievements, including nominations for various player of the week awards and recognition as Southern League Player of the Year in 2015.
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki Awards Won
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki has achieved significant milestones in his career, including setting records for home runs and being named co-American League Player of the Week.
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki Family
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki is the son of Marek Różycki and Kathy Kepler. He has one sister, Emma Różycki.
Personal Life
Maximilian Kepler-Różycki has previously dated American soccer player Abby Dahlkemper and American-born Mexican soccer player Katie Johnson.
