Joe Mauer
The former first overall pick in the 2001 draft has never disappointed. Already sporting a career .322 average and .404 OBP in 4+ seasons, he looked like a perennial batting title contender who lacked substantial power. In 28 games so far in this 2009 season, Minnesota’s Masher has accumulated 11 homers, 32 RBIS, 27 runs, and a robust .414 average. In a 162 game season, these numbers translate into 64 homers, 185 RBIS, and 157 runs. In other words, the greatest season ever played. Why the sudden jump from a guy who in four full seasons has never hit more than 13 homers and driven in 84 runs?
Versus Right-handed Pitching
2006: 340 ABS 11 HR .356 AVG
2008: 353 ABS 2 HR .312 AVG
2009: 67 ABS 8 HR .493 AVG
Although Mauer’s average will likely drop from .493, the power numbers may be here to stay. At 6-5 225lbs, “Hey” Joe is not Craig Counsell lacking size. Although the almost HR/8.5 ABS is alarming and improbable, I see it settling near the HR/12 ABS against righties. This still propels our southpaw twinkie into one of the game’s elite home run hitters along with Albert Pujols, Adam Dunn, and Carlos Quentin.
The best part of Joe Muaer still remains his age. At the just ripe number of 26, there is a good possibility of many 40+ homerun season. Such a feet, plus his unbelievably high game IQ and Gold Glove catching ability, would prompt the labeling of Savior Best Catcher Ever.
The almost inevitable (at this rate) MVP of the American League, should soon see his popularity bloom far beyond Baseball Fiends Followers. Players like Joe Mauer are paving the path for the baseball revolution. Baseball will regain the fans it lost after this steroid hooplah. Baseball will return to its thrown as America’s National Pastime...
See Also: Albert Pujols, Evan Longoria, Justin Upton, Jay Bruce, Ian Kinsler, Matt Wieters, Adrián González, David Wright, Chase Utley, Nick Markakis, Ryan Braun, Joey Votto “The New Zach Greinke”, Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Josh Hamilton...
Johan Santana, Zach Greinke “The First Zach Greinke”, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Chad Billingsley, David Price, Cole Hamels, Yovani Gallardo, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Jon Lester, Matt Garza, Josh Johnson...
