Mets Merized Online - A New York Mets Blog With Attitude!

New Mets Killer, Jeff Keppinger From the moment Jeff Keppinger stepped onto a baseball field, all he has done is hit the heck out of a baseball. The righthanded slap hitter has the uncanny ability of rising to the occasion in big spots and his reputation as a clutch hitter keeps growing. His prowess at the plate is not a fluke.

Going back to his playing days at the University of Georgia, Keppinger compiled a .380 batting average. In the 2001 College World Series, he hit a two-run home run off future phenom pitcher Mark Prior. Later that year, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 4th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Keppinger would go on to hit over .300 at every level of the minors while with the Pirates.

In 2004, Keppinger found himself with the Mets as part of the Kris Benson for Ty Wigginton trade. His skills at the plate continued to improve and he continued to pound the ball at a .300 clip all the way through Binghamton and then Norfolk. He eventually got his first taste of the majors late in the season and he rewarded the Mets by hitting .284 with three home runs and nine RBI in 33 games played. It looked like the Mets now had another star in the making.

In 2005, Keppinger started the season in Norfolk because the team had Kaz Matsui at shortstop and a very young Jose Reyes playing second base. Disappointed at not making the team out of spring training, he went on to have his best season yet, leading the league with a .337 average. However, his season would eventually be cut short by a knee injury.

The following season he was traded to the Royals for Ruben Gotay. After a late season call-up, and in his very first at-bat, he connected on a dramatic three run homer in the 12th inning to propel the Royals over the Red Sox. He went on to play 20 games for the Royals that season before hitting the trading block once again. After being designated for assignment by the Royals in the off season, Keppinger was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Russ Haltiwanger. Keppinger would finally get his shot.

Playing in 67 games for the Reds in 2007, he quickly became a big fan favorite and continued to drive the ball just as he has his entire professional career. He ended the season with a .324 average and an impressive .877 OPS for a middle infielder. Today, he is the Reds' starting shortstop and has become a thorn in the Mets' side with the bat as evidenced by the just concluded weekend series. He is a tough out and and a smart hitter who can work the count. He is a fierce competitor on the field and I can't help imagining what a great number two hitter he would have been for the Mets hitting in between Reyes and Wright.

While many Mets fans cried over the loss of Ruben Gotay this offseason, it's the loss of Jeff Keppinger that the Mets will live to regret. After having a great trial with the Mets, I wonder why the Mets chose to trade Keppinger to K.C. rather than Anderson Hernandez. It seemed to me like Hernandez has never been held in high regard by the organization anyway. As it turns out, with the release of Gotay we just gave Keppinger away... just like Heath Bell and Brian Bannister. Omar's made a few great trades while with the Mets, probably more good than bad, but this wasn't one of them. You can file this trade under stinker...

Comments

Joe D. stop being so negative all the time

Posted by: Bobert | May 12, 2008 09:14 AM

lol, I am not negative all the time, in fact I wrote two very posive ones yesterday (Pretty in Pink, Isn't It Ironic). Bur seriously, how can you watch the Reds series and not be totally impressed with what you saw of Keppinger? Plus, I was easy on the Mets compared to Gary Cohen on Saturday! :-)

Posted by: Joe D | May 12, 2008 09:47 AM

I'm not sure this was an Omar issue. It has Willie Randolph's finger prints all over it. In 2005 spring training, Keppinger made a coule of errors at 2nd early on and was labled as a "NO GLOVE" player. He then went on to do great in the minors while Kaz and Ahern struggled. Just when the Mets were about to bring him up, someone took out his elbow with a high slide on a dp. In 2006 Spring training he was never given a chance. He outhit Kaz and Ahern but remained as the third option at 2nd. As a matter of fact, he was so buried in the second squad by Rabdolph that that he only played in split squad games, and never for the team Willie managed. At that point I think Omar traded him because he saw Willie didn't like him. As you may have noticed, no 2nd baseman is good enough for Willie. Case in point Castillo. After hitting 300 last season for the Mets and being great in the 2 hole, all of a sudden this year he can't hit and is moved to the 8 hole. What as joke. Willie still has to goooooo.

Posted by: since68 | May 12, 2008 09:57 AM

i know Joe D. it always looks at least to me you write a negative story every week

Posted by: Bobert | May 12, 2008 10:06 AM

since68 - Thanks for that additional info. I couldnt remember all those details when I was writing this morning. I wish I had...

Posted by: Joe D | May 12, 2008 10:11 AM

I just remember the Mets not giving Keppinger a chance when he was with us. I think there are many not just one to blame when it comes to Keppingers departure. He's a nice player & he always hit, just like Gotay

Posted by: tainoray | May 12, 2008 10:17 AM

Hindsight is 20/20.

But some of those hits were just in the hole or just out of reach. He looked good, but not great.

Posted by: Andrew Vazzano [TheRopolitans.com] | May 12, 2008 10:19 AM

Keppinger has a career .321 batting average in over 3,000 at-bats since begining pro ball. Before going to college he was All-American and won three straight MVP awards. He was one of the top ranked players in the country. To say that his hits are cheap is an unfair characterization of his achievements.

Posted by: mack | May 12, 2008 10:57 AM

Pro ball and major league ball are not the same thing.

I still think Kepp is playing over his head.

Posted by: Andrew Vazzano [TheRopolitans.com] | May 12, 2008 11:01 AM

By the way... Keppinger was drafted ahead of Ryan Howard in one of baseballs deepest and best drafts ever. It included David Wright, Mark Prior, Joe Mauer, Mark Teixeira, Dan Haren and Jeremy Bonderman to name a few.

Posted by: mack | May 12, 2008 11:06 AM

Andrew - Thats what Whitey Herzog said about Wade Boggs.

Posted by: mack | May 12, 2008 11:08 AM

I'd sure like to see keppinger at second with a four year deal instead of "wobbly knees" Luis Castillo. But then again what does Minaya do right?

Posted by: count dracula | May 12, 2008 11:57 AM

What has Keppinger done to any team other than the Mets? Absolutely nothing. We're not talking about an All-Star here... but someone that just seems to rise to the occasion against his old team.

Posted by: Brian | May 12, 2008 12:37 PM

Brian what are you talking about??? You dont bat .320 two years straight by only hitting against one team. Stop being such a homer...

Posted by: eddie | May 12, 2008 12:57 PM

What did you think of that 6 year old little girl that sang the National Anthem for Mets vs. Reds 5-10-08?

Posted by: Michelle | May 12, 2008 01:14 PM

If I remember correctly, the Mets always wanted someone who could play good defense at 2nd and Keppinger was not that that guy. Does his bat outweigh his lack of defense? Probably, but you shouldn't be that hard on the Mets for trading him.

Posted by: Javi B | May 12, 2008 01:50 PM

He is now out with a broken Knee Cap........Hindsight

Posted by: Kay | May 14, 2008 07:55 AM