Philly Leader

Max Kepler made his presence known in his first home game for the Philadelphia Phillies. On Monday, Kepler hit a home run in the eighth inning of a 6-1 victory over the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. The outfielder's performance included three hits and four hard-hit balls, showing fans in Philadelphia what they had heard from recent training sessions in Clearwater, Florida.

After his first home run for the Phillies, Kepler waved to the cheering fans. "I gave them a little wave, and they kept cheering for a good bit," Kepler said. "So, I had to give them a salute."

Kepler expressed his initial goals for the game, stating, "Going into today, I wanted to make a good impression with my team obviously, with the fans, with the whole organization." He mentioned the intensity of the game often causing a blackout feeling where his "mind was at peace."

Monday's performance consisted of Kepler hitting a double in the second inning and marking some of the hardest-hit balls of the game. His average exit velocity through four games stands at 93.3 mph, an improvement from 88.9 mph last year when injuries affected his play.

Kepler's improvements in swing came after consultation with Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long in Arizona. Adjustments included changing his bat's angle and shifting his position closer to the plate, hoping to better approach outside pitches and refine his pull swing.

At 32, on a one-year, $10 million contract, Kepler is part of a lineup including Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and others. He acknowledges his role within the team's dynamics, saying, “It’s definitely a different dynamic when it comes to the offense," recognizing that others share the pressure of carrying the team.

Kepler indicated satisfaction with his new environment. “It’s exactly what I expected,” he stated, noting the vibrant atmosphere at the ballpark. "But I know we have a lot of work ahead of us. There’s going to be ups and downs...the tough times really make a group grow.”