The 16-year-old German outfielder Max Kepler-Rozycki has agreed on terms with the Minnesota Twins organization. Keith Law of ESPN had the scoop, which was later confirmed by Baseball America on Friday; the second day Major League clubs are allowed to sign International free agents. According to Baseball America the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds also showed interest in one of the highly touted European prospects in recent years.
“Kepler is the toolsiest kid we’ve ever had in Europe,” said the scout. “No question.”
Numerous scouts came to Regensburg, Germany to see him play for the reigning champion BUCHBINDER LEGIONAERE this year. An official announcement probably will not come for a few weeks. Due to regulations by Major League Baseball he cannot play professionally this season anyway. Like other young European prospects before him, Kepler-Rozycki likely is going to finish school first and later to join an instructional league.
He batted .400 (OBP .480/SLG .500) with two doubles, eight runs scored and three RBI in seven games during the regular season in the Baseball-Bundesliga. Germany’s head coach Greg Frady said recently that the left-handed batter and thrower even was in consideration to join the senior national team for the Baseball World Cup this summer. He is going to be the third German player to play for the Twins organization after the pitchers Tim Henkenjohann and Rodney Gessmann.