Thoughts on Jason Kubel

by 14reasonswhy on Dec 13, 2005 11:14 AM EST

The Future: Because speed wasn't a big part of his game before the injury, the Twins hope he'll come back as the same player.

What are the thoughts on his future? Does he pick up where he left off?

What type of Power does he project to have?

Will he be the likely candidate for the RF position this year in Minnesota?

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I think its a stretch

Having drafted Kubel for my rotisserie team in spring 2003, I've followed the rehab as closely as possible from a distance. In late October in instructional league his batting eye seemed fine but he was still using a knee brace and experiencing some swelling. An awful lot of things will have to go exactly right for him to start the season in the Twins lineup, that's usually not the way things work. I think that his spending the first half of the year working out lingering health issues and getting his swing back in the minors, a return as part time dh in the second half, and if all goes well a return to the field at the ml level in '07 is a more realistic timetable. I hope I am wrong but everything I have heard is that this is a serious injury with permanent consequences. As for power, so far he has shown only mid-range power but he certainly isn't a slap hitter so it certainly could develop further.

by BERSMR on Dec 13, 2005 12:07 PM EST reply actions

re

Kubel will be a solid, servicable, starting OFer, but nothing special. I see him hitting 15-20 homers, batting .270-.290 annually, with 30-45 doubles as well.

by ScottAZ on Dec 13, 2005 12:55 PM EST reply actions

RF

With the nature of his injury, I would think that he would need to DH next year, at least most of the time. Most people seem to like his bat, so he should be able to play, regardless of defensive ability.

by jc3 on Dec 13, 2005 3:12 PM EST reply actions

He's 24

He probably needed a year to adjust to the big leagues anyway. He may make it back by April. If he doesn't, he probably starts in Rochester. Lew Ford and/or Michael Cuddyer start in right in that scenario.

As for his future, think Rusty Greer.

by jewscott on Dec 13, 2005 8:52 PM EST reply actions

Will not be a Twin in April

I think it's pretty much assumed around Minny here that when Kubel is ready, it will probably be May and he'll be in AAA.

That said, his talent doesn't come around that often (he was the best hitter in 2002 on a team with Mauer--I pegged him then and proclaimed him a top prospect prior to his breakout in 04), and I have little doubt that he will be a 300+ hitter in the bigs.

This guy is a hitting monster, and damn if I can remember why he lasted until the 12th round.

by tmelander on Dec 14, 2005 12:15 AM EST reply actions

when i think jason kubel

I think brian giles..

Takes a lot of walks, doesn't take bad at bats.

Can hit 20-30 homers

Will be a good average hitter.

Word is he has the best Outfield arm in the org, even better than hunter, but can't run like Hunter of course.

I think he can be a better hitter than Mauer, dare i say it.

by hotshotschamp on Dec 14, 2005 5:42 AM EST reply actions

He'll be healed and raking in Spring Training

His injury occured in October of 2004. It normally takes 16 to 18 months to fully recover from a triple ligament replacement surgery, assuming the player does all the rehab. He was about 75 % in September, when he played in the Instructional League, which is right on schedule. He continues to rehab according to his surgeon's plan, and he should be 95 to 100 % in March.

The way he hits, I wouldn't bet against him in a three-way competition with Ford and Cuddyer in right field next year. Here is his unbelievable line from 2004 between AA, AAA, and the majors:

548 AB, 200 H, 106 R, 44 2B, 24 HR, 107 RBI, 16 SB, 59 BB, 68 SO, . 356/.425/.595

He played with Mauer until Joe got promoted from AA for opening day 2004, and he usually put up better numbers at every level. About the same OBP, better slugging. If not for his injury, the Twins would have nontendered Jacque Jones last year and who knows how many more wins the Twins would have had, considering that they lost 24 one-run games.

When healthy, he had great range and a rocket arm. I would draft him for my fantasy team if I had the chance.

cmathewson

by cmathewson on Dec 14, 2005 11:46 AM EST reply actions

Kubel

I think he's a very similar prospect to Jeremy Hermida.

by limozeen on Dec 14, 2005 12:13 PM EST reply actions

agreed

Ultimately I've elected to pass on Hermida and fill other needs with my draft pick. I already have Vlad in RF and Kubel has a decent shot to be the same kind of player as Hermida in LF.

starring Alfonso Soriano as Vinny C in RFK part deux

by natsfan2005 @ Minor League Ball on Dec 14, 2005 12:44 PM EST up reply actions