Twins Call Up Kepler From Chattanooga

MINNEAPOLIS (twinsbaseball.com) -- After helping Double-A Chattanooga win the Southern League championship on Monday night, Twins outfield prospect Max Kepler was rewarded by being called up to the big leagues for the first time in his career.

Kepler, considered the highest-profile prospect to be signed out of Europe in baseball history, was signed as an amateur free agent in 2009 out of Berlin, Germany, for $800,000. At the time, the bonus was the highest in history to be signed by a free agent from Europe, although it was eclipsed by the $1.3 million bonus the Royals gave Marten Gasparini in 2013.

The left-handed-hitting Kepler ranks as the No. 6 prospect in the Twins' system and No. 99 in the game by MLBPipeline.com, thanks to a breakout season at Chattanooga in which he hit .322 with nine homers, 32 doubles, 13 triples and 18 stolen bases in 112 regular-season games.

The 6-foot-4 Kepler, who saw time in all three outfield spots and at first base, was named the Southern League's Most Valuable Player.

The Twins are back on the diamond tonight at Target Field hosting Cleveland for the first of three.  The Twins are now three games back of Houston for the second and final wild card spot.  The Astros beat the Angels last night, dropping L.A. back of the Twins by a half game.

Minnesota will send Ervin Santana to the mound tonight and you can listen to the game starting with the pre-game show at 6:30 on Newstalk 1340 KROC AM.