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Success Of German Rookie Kepler Shines Light On Europe As Emerging Market For MLB Talent

German-born Twins RF Max Kepler is "one of the top rookies in the sport and a representative of an emerging market for talent," as baseball is "increasingly looking to Europe for players," according to Mike Vorkunov of USA TODAY. There have been 44 German-born players in MLB history, but Europe "could be the next untapped market." Former Twins Exec VP & GM Terry Ryan, who signed Kepler, said that even with every team "having already deployed scouts there, interest may be growing." He said, "It’s not heavily saturated like Florida, Texas, the Dominican -- even Australia." Vorkunov notes Kepler’s success this year "may just have an effect on how popular Europe ultimately gets for teams." Kepler "could be a model for the next generation of German and continental talent and for organizations hoping to acquire them." Ryan said that Europe "reminds him of Australia decades ago, when it started to export players like Dave Nilsson and Graeme Lloyd." Ryan said of Kepler, "With him and the attention it’s getting in Germany, it’s going to increase as we go forward" (USA TODAY, 8/24).

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