The Philadelphia Phillies outfield situation has remained largely unsettled since Bryce Harper’s full-time conversion to playing first base during the 2023 season, with names like Whit Merrifield, Austin Hays, David Dahl, Cristian Pache, Weston Wilson and Johan Rojas all trying and failing to provide manager Rob Thomson enough offense to justify an everyday spot playing alongside starters Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos.
While the Phillies were one of many MLB teams to kick the tires on signing top free agent outfielders Juan Soto and Teoscar Hernández this past winter, the front office took on some calculated risk when they signed former Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million deal in December. While Kepler has hit .237 with 893 hits, 161 home runs and 508 RBI over his 10-year MLB career, a constant cycle of injuries has kept him off the field for considerable time since having a breakout performance during the 2019 season.
Currently healthy and a full-participant in spring training games, Kepler will be tasked with solidifying a Phillies outfield that ranked 20th out of 30 MLB teams in outfield WAR last season, so let’s take a look at how Max Kepler is fitting in with his new team in camp so far.
Following two seasons of Rojas starting the majority of games out in center field, the Phillies front office knew they had to make upgrading the outfield offense a priority this winter after Rojas’ inconsistencies at the plate continued last year. By adding Kepler to a one-year deal, the Phillies now have three outfielders with 20-plus home run potential in Kepler, Castellanos and Marsh. And that added thump has been on full display in the nine spring training games Kepler has played so far.
Currently batting .318 with six hits, three home runs and nine RBI to go along with five walks in his first 27 plate appearances, Kepler has shown flashes of a hitter who could drive in plenty of runs for the Phillies while batting in the sixth or seventh spot in the lineup every day. While the Phillies remain top-heavy in left-handed hitters, Kepler’s injury history almost necessitates a platoon with a right-handed bat this season. With Weston Wilson currently sidelined with a left oblique injury, it’s looking increasingly likely that Rojas will be the Phillies’ fourth outfielder to begin the season.
That one's not coming back. pic.twitter.com/Qzry0IyeZ3
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 13, 2025
The fourth outfielder role is definitely a storyline worth paying attention to this season. Marsh has notably struggled when facing left-handed pitching throughout his MLB career, and despite a strong showing versus southpaws last season (.273), Kepler is only a lifetime .221 hitter when facing left-handed pitching during his 10-year big league career.
Identifying a right-handed bat that can also play left or center field will be important for the Phillies to keep this particular lineup weakness from being exploited yet again this season. This is a lineup that could be in for some major scrutiny if Kepler, Marsh and Bryson Stott can’t hold their own against lefties throughout the year.
Signing Kepler to a one-year contract could have benefits for both team and player. The Phillies think they have another offensive weapon that could help lengthen the team’s already dangerous lineup, and perhaps it’s also possible the Phillies intentionally signed Kepler to be a placeholder for top outfield prospect Justin Crawford, who many believe will be ready to make an impact for the Phillies early next season.
For Kepler, this one-year deal is a good opportunity to show what he can do for a Phillies team that has one of the most talented rosters in MLB. Putting together a strong performance in 2025 could help him land a multi-year deal when he becomes a free agent again next offseason. But there’s little doubt that a healthy and productive Kepler will make the Phillies a better team on the field.
If his first eight spring training games offer any proof, this is a player who could have a major impact in the Phillies lineup this season. That being said, the Phillies are banking on a motivated and healthy Kepler to help reinforce an outfield that has largely underperformed in each of the last two seasons.
