Can Joe Mauer take a run at .400?

by hotshotschamp on Jun 3, 2009 2:18 PM EDT

As of right now he's at .431 and will soon qualify for enough at bats to be league leader in batting average. This guy has one of the purest swings, and best plate approaches I've ever seen at the professional level. He simply will not take many bad pitches, he makes the pitcher work.

Also his ability to go opposite field is just amazing, and now that he's put on the "man muscles" those long fly ball outs are leaving the park, going slightly over the left field wall.

I for one think he will fall short, for a few factors, as the season wears on, especially for catchers there is more wear and tear on the body, and temperatures get hotter and so forth. I realistically think he can hit around .365 though. What are your thoughts, is it possible or a pipe dream?

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he could, but I think he’s gonna start seeing a lot more inside fastballs. he’s shown that he’s quite adept at going the other way on the outside pitch.

You’re right about the wear and tear he’ll endure behind the dish. that could slow him down, thought it seems that Gardenhire has always been able to keep him fairly fresh in the 2nd half. He’s hit about 30 points higher in the first half, over the course of his career, so maybe not fresh enough.

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by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

You don't think there's a book out on Joe Mauer yet?

I’m pretty sure if there was an easy way to get him out, pitchers would be doing it by now.

by PissedMick on Jun 4, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

small sample

Since he missed about 20 games, he still has a lot to go. If he has 500 at bats this year (he had 536 last year), he still needs to hit .392 over the rest of his games to hit .400.

by Galt on Jun 3, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

The biggest thing working against him

Is his position. As a catcher, as the season progresses, he will inevitably tire and that could cause a major dip. I know they’ve been working him at DH so as to give him rest, but the man is a catcher, and that could pose a problem. Although, if anyone in the league could do it, it’s Mauer or Pujols

by Mets2k9 on Jun 3, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions