Mauer Power. What’s happened with Joe Mauer’s home run production?
Last season the Twins extraordinary hitter won his third American League batting championship and first league MVP award when he hit .365 with 28 home runs. The home run total was 15 more than any previous single season.
Mauer homered 11 times in May of last year after missing the first month of the season with a back problem. This year Mauer been playing since the season started in April, but has homered only twice.
His grandfather Jake, a former pro baseball player, mentored Joe as a youngster, teaching him the game. Jake told Sports Headliners the Twins didn’t play Joe enough in spring training and that’s contributed to the slow power start, along with a left heel injury.
“He should go through spring training just like anybody else but they babied the hell out of him,” Jake said. “And they’re getting that result, no power.
“Just swinging and meeting the ball (right now). That’s all he does. But come the first of June you’ll see power…because he’s been working out at his house up in Braham in his weight room. He’ll start hitting the long ball now.”
Jake said the heel injury that forced Joe to miss several games was about 80 percent healed a few days ago. That recovery will help Joe hit a few home runs before May is over, according to Jake.
Joe won’t revert to his home run totals from 2003 to 2008 when his best total was 13 and next highest nine. “He’ll get to 30,” Jake said. “You watch.”
At 27 years old, Joe might be a year away from his physical peak. “That’s when he’s going to hit .400,” Jake said.
No major leaguer has hit .400 since Ted Williams batted .406 in 1941. Mauer’s best big league average is .365 last season.
With a history of injuries would Joe talk about switching positions? Move from the physical demands of catching to a less punishing position? “He will die a catcher,” Jake said.
Jake also said Joe is excited about this team, describing it as the best hitting club he’s played for and thinks the Twins may play in the World Series this fall. The older Mauer said the Twins win on Sunday that ended a nine game losing streak against the Yankees is very positive for the players’ confidence.