Joe Mauer’s extraordinary start this season has substantiated the enthusiasm of perhaps his biggest fan, grandfather Jake Mauer. Whether it’s home runs or batting average, the Twins’ 26-year-old catcher is one of the most talked about players in the majors.
Last season Mauer hit nine home runs in 146 games and 536 at bats. This year, despite not playing in his first game until May 1, he’s homered seven times in 18 games, with 68 at bats.
In his five previous big league seasons the 6-5, 225-pound Mauer hit a total of 44 home runs but his grandfather said this is a different hitter now. “He’s lifted weights in winter time down in Florida, and he’s built up his muscles in his biceps, and his chest and his shoulders,” Jake said. “He’s really big through there now. He’s really grown up. He came out of that baby fat and put on muscle. …He’s strong. I would say he’s probably 40 percent stronger than last year. I mean it and that’s a big up, I will tell you that.”
Most of the home runs have been hit by the left handed Mauer to left field. Pitchers have been throwing sinkers toward the outside of the plate and Mauer sends some of those balls over the fence. Now, according to Jake, he’s been pitched inside more and the likelihood of home runs to right field is next.
Jake predicts 20 home runs this season, 25 to 30 next year and then 30 to 35 in 2011. He’s predicted for many years that as his grandson enters his peak years physically he will not only hit more home runs, but also bat over .400.
“I think 27, 28 is the year that he’s going to hit .400,” Jake said. “I made that statement when he first signed…(his pro baseball contract).”
Mauer is hitting .397 so far after batting .328 last season and winning his second American League batting championship. His grandfather doesn’t rule out a .400 season in 2009 but is convinced it will happen next year in the new Minneapolis ballpark where he said the ball will carry better than inside the Metrodome.
Mauer could hit more home runs if he wanted to sacrifice his average. “Oh, definitely, but he wants to win the batting crown,” Jake said. “He said, ‘Grandpa, I am going to win it again. I am going to get enough time at bat, too (to qualify).’ I said I know you are, Joe. When you make up your mind to do it, you’ll do it.”