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Thoughts on Joe Mauer

Dahitman44

By Dahitman44
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Dahitman44 Grand Master

Dahitman44

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Brady --

I know what you and the other guys are saying and I knew I would be in the minority on this subject and that is why I posted it. It is fun to see what others think of my ideas, but I still think that bulking up a little would do a LOT for him.

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juggs Collaborator

juggs

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Leave him be. This guy is rare. There hasn't been a catcher this good since....you tell me. His defense is tops--leave him at catcher. He has plenty of power but is a line drive hitter who goes the other way a lot. Make him a home run hitter and his average will probably drop fifty points. Just because he plays catcher doesn't mean he has to be a power hitter. The problem could be that Gardy has him hitting in the wrong slot. He's more of a two hitter than a three. Everybody expects more power out of the three spot. Plus, he has very good speed and really knows how to run the bases, unlike most of the other clowns in the lineup who get doubled off on every line drive. I don't think playing catcher contributes to a shorter career, just more nicks and bruises.

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Juan Grande Mentor

Juan Grande

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I don't think he has to choose between power and contact. I'd just like to see a little more gap power and extra base hits.

I think Delmon Young could become the #3 or 4 type hitter they're looking for. If that's the case then they could hit Mauer #2 which is probably the best place for him. Mauer, Young, Morneau and Cuddy could be solid. Now if they could just find a leadoff hitter.

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Dahitman44 Grand Master

Dahitman44

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Juan --

I have been saying that all along. I think Delmon would be a good fit in the 3 hole -- he needs to work on his free swinging but who knows. I think we had a guy named Kirby that never met a pitch hit did not like. I am NOT saying that Delmon is the next Kirby, but you never know.

As for Mauer, he COULD develop into a number 3 but right now, IMO I would bat him 2. I know he is the chosen one or the golden child or whatever, but that is what I would do.

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Cicada Mentor

Cicada

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That would be just plain stupid. Take two guys that are above average defensively at their postions and make them learn a new one? You don't take Morneau off the field and you don't take a potential all star catcher and make him a first baseman (or third baseman for that matter). If you had the inclination of doing something that dumb, why not dh Mauer to save the knees and leave Morneau at first? Geez, they've only been in the league three years, they should be hitting their stride in the next few years. You gain nothing by messing with young talent, making them learn something new every couple of years rather than perfecting the things they've trained for all their lives.

In light of recent events, this may not be a wise example. but Roger Clemens started his career with a bunch of injuries. No one gave up on him and tried to make a reliever out of him. He seemed to have a few pretty good years once he healed and his body matured.

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doughnut03 Contributor

doughnut03

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Id be a flat out liar if I said I was anything close to an expert, but some valuable points have been made. "bulking up" your forearms are not going to affect your swing one bit, it will help to be able to rotate your wrists quicker leading to a faster bat speed. Also, being tall doesnt have much to do with catching until youre standing up to throw down, which being in the pros, I should hope he has the thigh strength to pop up quick anyways haha. As far as his knees are concerned- you have to remember that he is basically doing a MINIMUM of 9 squats per inning, times 9 innings... thats a lot of up and down for your knees to handle a game, not to mention an entire season, with squatting in between. I caught when I was younger and it puts a lot of strain on your joints. I overall think hes a great player and a great role model! At least he doesnt have that "I play when I want to play" attitude...

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frogtosser Mentor

frogtosser

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I am 6'5 and I cant croutch for a few minutes much less a whole game, I am not comparing myself to mauer but I can feel my knees giving me the big F U when I do get down like that so I think it will take a toll after a few years.

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Dahitman44 Grand Master

Dahitman44

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 Originally Posted By: frogtosser
they are going to play mauer at first base this year and dh morneau. mauer needs to quit bouncing into double plays I am not worried about the homers, he is just not a power guy.

Mauer at first base? R U Crazy?

3B or Of will be his future home. When? Hard to say. As long as he can split some time at DH and C that will help him for the next few years, but he WILL need to change positions at some point, IMO.

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riverrat56 Veteran

riverrat56

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Mauer may have a future in the outfeild or 3B, but for now and for awhile longer he needs to catch, he brings stability to the young pitchers and really knows the game and opposing batters.

If he did not bat in the 3 hole, no one would see a need for him to hit more dingers. He hits like a number two hitter, a very talented and smart number 2.

Anything that he changes in his body, leg strength, arm strength, core strength, ect. will affect his swing. The swing requires the whole body and any change makes a differnce. This doesn't mean he couldn't be as or more effective by gaining some muscle, but it will have an effect on his swing. Bat speed can lead to power but everything starts in your legs and hand-eye coordination and a good eye is more to hitting than strength alone.

His hitting style does not let him hit many homeruns. You can't be patient and a free swinger trying to hit every ball out of the park. Mauer trys to make good contact and hit the ball where it is pitched, not the other way around that many pure power hitters approach hitting.

Homeruns don't win baseball games, even the best hitters can't be expected to hit more than 40 in an average year, the can change 40 games, but can also be counted on to strike out and hit into DP's and pop outs often. JM does things in every at-bat that can affect the game (working counts, getting on base, moving runners around). He also is human and hits into DP's and flys out and K's, just not as often.

I do think that he is a bit injury prone, but catcher is a rough position and if he says he is hurt he most likely is hurt because I really think that Mauer enjoys the game of baseball and wouldn't nurse an injury to long.

Just the opinion of a guy who loves the game and has too much free time.......

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Willy Experienced

Willy

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I have heard some talk of Mauer learning 1B also. Sounds like they may get him used to it, so that there is someone to give Morneau a breather every once in a while. Right now there really isn't a backup 1B on the roster.

What about this though? I wouldn't mind seeing Mauer lead-off. He gets on base as well as anyone in the league and always see a bunch of pitches each at bat. Granted, he is not a typical leadoff guy, he is not a base stealer, but I think he would set the table nicely. Twins have not had a leadoff guy that could steal bases since Chucky anyway.

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Dahitman44 Grand Master

Dahitman44

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This was printed in a good story in the STrib.

"Former teammate Torii Hunter questioned Mauer's ability to play banged up, which touched off more debate about Mauer needing to switch positions. Mauer said this week that catching is a physically demanding job -- but one he wants to continue doing.

"I've been dealing with that moving to third base [debate] for a long time," Mauer said. "The thing about dealing with injuries, people don't know what it's like to catch. None of those guys have caught. I'm just trying to get ready and stay healthy."

Pushing 6-6 in cleats doesn't help.

"I'm trying to grow sideways," he said with a chuckle."

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Willy Experienced

Willy

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 Originally Posted By: tisosy11
Oh god - qb for the vikes...would he be able to play a sunday game after a monday night game...

Yes and he is likely a better QB than what we have now. Joe Mauer was probably the best high school quarterback talent the state of Minnesota has ever had. He was THE #1 QB prospect in all of highschool sports his senior year.

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