Joe Mauer

May 13th, 2009 (Loaded from e-mail)

This is the year he transcends the critics' perception of him. He's always been a guy who - while he gets on base a lot - has no power. He hit 13 home runs in 2006. Other than that, he's never hit more than 9. And you can look at these stats and decide that the critics are spot on. But when you watch the games, when you go more in depth with the guy, you know the critics are dead wrong.

How many times have you seen Mauer in the last few years decide to turn on home run or double power at key moments when the Twins need him. We know he has the power, he just hasn't been using it. He's been trying to help the team by getting on base all the time, setting up guys like Morneau for the glory. Mauer is 6'5", 220 pounds and pretty strong, we know he's capable of being a big-time power hitter. And I think this is the year for it.

I think those doubles he's been lining the last few years are going to turn into home runs. I think those singles he lines hard to outfielders might start hitting the gaps and turning into doubles. He has 4 home runs and 3 doubles in 10 games back this year. He's slugging a ridiculous .917 and has a .571 on-base percentage. Over half the time he has come to the plate he has ended up on base.

We do have to realize that we have a very small sample set right now, only 10 games. Guys get hot and cold in streaks, we all know that. But Mauer has something that a lot of big-time power hitters lack -- one of the best eyes in all of baseball. He works the count deep almost every time he's up to bat. When you do that and you're not just swinging at first pitches (see Delmon Young, Vladamir Guerrero, etc.), you make the opposing pitcher either walk you or throw you a pitch you want to hit.

It's early, but we could see big things from Mauer this year. We already have, we've just got to hope he continues.