The role of a leadoff hitter is to get on base by any means necessary.
In barely two months of professional experience, Kane Kepley has already started mastering that craft.
One night after slugging a three-run homer, the Cubs' No. 6 prospect got on base four times and equaled career highs with three walks and three stolen bases for High-A South Bend, which lost to Wisconsin, 11-6, on Wednesday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field.
Despite having just 56 games under his belt as a pro, Kepley has a Rickey Henderson-like eye at the plate. The 22-year-old has picked up 58 walks (while striking out 32 times), including a Midwest League-best 33 free passes through this season's first 28 contests.
Not known for his power, Kepley's three-run jack on Tuesday showed his game can be more than just speed and walks. But as the table-setter atop the South Bend lineup, he was returned to form in Wednesday's matinee. The North Carolina product added a single during his busy afternoon on the basepaths and scored twice.
Although Kepley got on base regularly during April, he struggled getting hits to fall, batting just .220 in his first 59 at-bats. But the lefty-swinging outfielder has hit safely in nine of 10 games this month, going 12-for-38 (.316) while continuing to walk and run at a prodigious pace.
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Kepley's 19 stolen bases (in 20 attempts) lead the Midwest League and his .468 OBP is among the highest figures in the Minors. He's swiped three bases in one game three times already this year and his 36 runs are tied for third in MiLB.
With a game built on speed, contact and the ability to avoid the strikeout -- the Cubs' 2025 second-rounder had a K rate of 7 percent during his lone season at UNC in 2025 -- Kepley figures to be a stalwart atop any lineup he's in. The 5-foot-8, 180-pounder has shown little-to-no issue adapting his game to the pros, running a 11.8 percent K rate in his first 271 plate appearances.
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Kepley enjoyed a strong debut after going 56th overall in last year's Draft, slashing .299/.481/.433 with a 25/18 BB/K ratio and 16 steals in 28 games for Single-A Myrtle Beach.
His experience at the collegiate level -- first with Liberty before transferring to UNC -- coupled with his penchant for making smart swing decisions and getting on base could make for a quick rise up the Minor League ladder.