Twins Calls Up Top Hitting Prospect Max Kepler

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have promoted one of their top hitting prospects, Max Kepler, from Double-A for the stretch drive.

Kepler joined the wild card-chasing Twins on Tuesday for their game against Cleveland, the day after Kepler helped lead Chattanooga to the Southern League championship.

The 22-year-old native of Berlin batted .322 with 32 doubles, 13 triples, nine home runs and 71 RBIs in 112 games, winning the league MVP award. Kepler can play first base and all three outfield positions. He was signed by the Twins in 2009 and moved as a senior in high school to Fort Myers, Florida.

The Twins also summoned Class A Cedar Rapids manager Jake Mauer, the older brother of first baseman Joe Mauer, to join the coaching staff for the rest of the season.