Jeff Keppinger

Jeff Keppinger

44-Year-Old Third Baseman3B
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Jeff Keppinger in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the White Sox in December 2012.
3BFree Agent  
May 21, 2014
The White Sox have requested release waivers on Keppinger, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Chicago previously designated Keppinger for assignment last week, but with no other teams willing to assume the remaining two years on his contract, he'll be unceremoniously let go. Keppinger's ability to play multiple positions across the infield might still allow him to land a 40-man roster spot for another team, but he doesn't seem to provide much upside with the bat at this stage in his career.
Read More News
Batting Stats
Loading Batting Stats...
Minor League Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Loading Minor League Batting Game Log...
Advanced Batting Stats
Loading Advanced Batting Stats...
Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
Loading Games Played by Position...
Loading MLB Defensive Stats...
Batted Ball Stats
Loading Batted Ball Stats...
Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
Want more matchup stats?
Loading Matchup Stats...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jeff Keppinger See More
White Sox Team Preview: Phase Two
February 20, 2015
The White Sox made big strides last season, then were big players this offseason to give Jose Abreu more help. Will it be enough to contend in the AL Central?
Thursday Lineup Card: A New Day Rising?
May 14, 2014
Tuesday Lineup Card: No Way, Jose
May 12, 2014
Young Marlins ace Jose Fernandez surprisingly hit the DL on Monday and appears to be headed for season-ending Tommy John surgery.
In Some Depth: Redbird Rising?
May 12, 2014
Peter Bourjos has been taking a larger share of the playing time in center field for St. Louis, but is Oscar Taveras primed to take over in the near future?
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Keppinger was one of the biggest disappointments of last offseason. The White Sox signed him to a three-year, $12 million contract to serve as their primary third baseman. Instead, he struggled with back issues and struggled to hit .250 for the season. He remains the light-hitting contact hitter of seasons past, but his .332 BABIP from 2012 fell to .269 in 2013. Keppinger's contract will keep him on the roster, but don't be surprised if he falls into more of a utility role following the addition of Matt Davidson.
Keppinger was brought into Tampa Bay to be a utility player used to fill-in against left-handed pitching, but he instead became the team's stopgap all over the diamond. He started games at first base, second base, third base, and designated hitter and was a key hitter for a struggling Rays offense hitting .325 with an .806 OPS (his highest totals since 2007) along with a career-high nine home runs. Keppinger also hit .302 against right-handers, normally an issue that has forced him into platoons in the past. His biggest asset to fantasy owners is the fact that in 2013 he will be eligible at first, second, or third base, while the White Sox are expected to use him as their primary third baseman this season.
After Keppinger played pretty well for the Astros, he hit just .255/.285/.333 over 216 at-bats after getting traded to San Francisco. As usual, he fared much better against left-handers than he did righties. He wasn't tendered a contract by the Giants during the offseason, but quickly signed with the Rays in January where he could emerge as their primary utility option with Ben Zobrist settling in at second base.
Keppinger started out the season at short, but shifted over to second when the club released Kaz Matsui. Although he has limited offensive capabilities, Keppinger was actually one of the Astros' most consistent hitters in 2010, leading the team in doubles with 34. He'll compete for the starting second base job, but may be relegated to a utility role. Still, he doesn't appear to be the type that will age gracefully. Check his status in spring training as he could miss the start of the regular season after January foot surgery.
After an awful spring for Cincinnati, the Reds traded Keppinger to the Astros for a player to be named later. Houston hoped they could recapture the lightning in a bottle that made Keppinger a pleasant surprise in 2007 (.332/.400/.477), but it simply wasn't there. It's uncertain what the Astros intend to do with him in 2010, but he's likely second on the team's projected depth chart at short, second and third. Watch the Astros' offseason moves closely to see if there will still be a place in Houston for the 29-year-old infielder, but he's nothing more than endgame fodder in a deep NL-only league.
Keppinger was exposed as an everyday player in 2008, though in fairness, he was hitting quite well (.324/.373/.446) before fracturing his kneecap in May. He returned too soon thanks to the Reds' numbers-crunch at shortstop and never fully recovered. He doesn't have the range at shortstop to play effectively every day, which is why Alex Gonzalez will get the first crack at the starting job if he's healthy this spring.
Another virtually-free talent grab by Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, Keppinger continued to do what he's done for the last three years - draw walks, make great contact, hit for average, and add a modicum of pop for a middle infielder. It took a series of injuries to Alex Gonzalez for Keppinger to get his chance, but he reasonably should expect to at least be the Reds' top utility infielder, and he's made a prima facie case to start on at least an occasional basis because of his bat. Note that in many leagues he'll be eligible only at shortstop this year, as opposed to his customary second base slot.
Keppinger has terrorized Triple-A pitching for three consecutive years yet hasn't been able to impress enough to warrant a good look in the majors. The Mets went for a younger, less-ready model when they traded Keppinger for Ruben Gotay. The Royals, meanwhile, have second base sewn up with Mark Grudzielanek and the utility job aptly covered by Esteban German. Keppinger is ready for a prime-time role, but it may not come with Kansas City, or it may have to wait a little while longer. The Royals could do worse than to have Keppinger in the mix for the second base job in 2008.
Keppinger, who was acquired as part of the Kris Benson deal, opened some eyes in the Mets organization in his brief call-up at the end of 2004. He carried that fine play into the 2005 regular season and was hitting .337 for Triple-A Norfolk before he cracked the tibial plate in his left knee in a dirty take-out slide at second base. Prior to the season, the organization viewed Keppinger as a utility infielder in the majors, but his fine play at Norfolk could give him a look-see as the team's second baseman down the road. Some scouts have compared him to Jay Bell, with less power and better range.
Keppinger, who was acquired as part of the Kris Benson deal, flirted with .400 for almost one-third of the year at Double-A Altoona and was the MVP of the Eastern League All-Star team. His solid play earned him promotions to Triple-A and the major leagues, where he impressed the Mets brass with his approach to the game. He is one of those players who does the little things right and should begin 2005 on the Mets roster as a utility infielder who will play both second and short.
Keppinger, a fourth round selection in the 2001 draft out of the U. of Georgia, had one of the best NCAA post-seasons in collegiate baseball history, slugging 1.239 in 10 games. As a pro he has yet to show much power but does have gap power potential at a minimum and plays a solid game at second base. He doesn't take many pitches but rarely strikes out and is showing sign of become a legitimate .300 hitter. The 2004 season should find him at Double-A Altoona in his third year as a pro.
More Fantasy News
Jeff Keppinger: (Shoulder) Activated, Designated For Assignment Wednesday
3BChicago White Sox  
May 14, 2014
The White Sox activated Keppinger (shoulder) from the disabled list Wednesday and designated him for assignment.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
3BChicago White Sox  
Shoulder
May 12, 2014
Keppinger went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in a loss at Double-A Birmingham on Monday.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
3BChicago White Sox  
Shoulder
May 5, 2014
Keppinger (shoulder) has gone 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI through three rehab games at Double-A Birmingham.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
3BChicago White Sox  
Shoulder
May 2, 2014
Keppinger (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Birmingham on Friday, mlb.com's Scott Merkin reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
3BChicago White Sox  
Shoulder
April 10, 2014
Keppinger (shoulder) played three innings in an extended spring training game Wednesday, the White Sox's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.