June was a special month for Twins left fielder Jason Kubel last season. He had an eight game hitting streak where he was 14-36, a .389 batting average. He hit .333 for the month with five home runs and 16 RBI. With the Twins’ lack of hitting among the most popular sports topics in this town, it’s been difficult to see Kubel struggle of late, with three hits in his last 22 at-bats. For the season Kubel is hitting .235, with five home runs and 22 RBI.
Kubel’s 2007 June problems include a minor injury to his right knee that caused him to miss a few days. Talk about the 25-year-old’s career often includes the full year he missed in 2005 recovering from surgery on his left knee. He also had a less serious right knee surgery following the 2006 season.
Kubel told Sports Headliners his knees are okay and earlier this week he had an outstanding catch in the field, diving for a ball near the foul line, against the New York Mets. Kubel said he stretches to minimize further knee problems.
Kubel came into this season determined to be a success at the plate. “Everything felt good so I was expecting a lot more,” he said.
Admired for his ability and potential in the minors, Kubel hit .321 in 2002 and .298 in 2003. In 60 at-bats with the Twins in 2004 he batted .300, and at two minor league stops that year compiled averages of .377 and .343. Last season playing for the Twins, he had a .241 average, with eight home runs and 26 RBI.
Manager Ron Gardenhire suggested last month that Kubel needs to hit with more confidence. “Yeah, that’s all I need to get is confidence and then I will feel a lot better…,” Kubel said.
Can he become a .300 hitter in the major leagues? “Eventually, next year,” he said. “It’d be kind of tough this year to do it now.”
What about home runs? “I hit 24 a couple of years ago, so hopefully (I’ll) get back to around there,” he answered. (In 2004 he hit eight home runs in the minors and 16 with the Twins).