Phillies' Max Kepler Frustrated Amid Lack of Promised 'Everyday' Left Field Role
Phillies' Max Kepler Frustrated Amid Lack of Promised 'Everyday' Left Field Role originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Max Kepler signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason. Kepler believed that he was set to be the team's everyday left fielder once he signed. However, he's been platooning on the left this season.
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In a piece from Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Kepler expressed his frustrations over his current role, claiming the Phillies "misled" him in the offseason. Ahead of the Phillies series against the Atlanta Braves, Paul Casella of MLB.com shared Kepler doubling down on his ridiculous comments.
"I mean," Kepler said. "I signed here, being told I was going to be the everyday left fielder. The everyday starting left fielder. So, there's my answer. That's why I came here."
Not only were Kepler's comments ridiculous, but his frustration is overblown. In the Phillies' 81 games in 2025, Kepler has started 60 and appeared in 72. While he's sat 21 games this season, 60 out of 81 is by no means a bench or platoon player.
Kepler is getting in the lineup frequently. But what makes his comments even more frustrating is his lack of production at the plate. Across his 235 at-bats, Kepler is batting just .209, the lowest mark of his career.
Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Max Kepler (17) watches his home run leave the park in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park.Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
He's also settled in at a .683 OPS, the lowest of his MLB career until this point. The Phillies signed Kepler to be a plus defender and a solid bat in the middle of their lineup. Kepler hasn't been that, especially against lefties.
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Ironically, he's hitting .222 against lefties in 2025, but against lefty starters, Kepler has managed a measly .143 batting average. While he's shown the ability to hit left-handed relievers, in his three starts against lefties, Kepler has struggled.
This whole debacle started because of Kepler being benched against lefty starters. While his overall statistics against lefties aren't bad, Kepler's handling of his platooning has been inappropriate.
Going to the media to complain and call out the team is a ridiculous path to take. And with Kepler doubling down in Casella's piece, there's even more for Phillies fans to be frustrated with.
Kepler is frustrated over his playing and is looking to be an everyday starter. Not just a frequent starter, but in the lineup for every game. If he handled it internally, things might look different, but his public handling of this situation has soured Kepler with many Phillies fans.
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Related: Max Kepler Calls Out Phillies For Misleading Him in Free Agency
Related: Trea Turner Still Optimistic After Phillies' Horrendous Astros Series
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
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