Check Out Joe Mauer's Scout School Video

[Parker Hageman]

MLB Scout School is advertising on MLB.com that they are trying to attract new students. As part of the announcement, they have posted several scouting videos from star players during their amateur days. Joe Mauer was one of them:

 

CLICK FOR VIDEO

 

 

Here is the accompanying scouting report. Clearly the rest of baseball thought Mauer was a premium talent but watching the video, would you agree? 

 

 

[Halsey Hall]

Nice swing, decent arm and quick feet.  But with nothing to compare to I'll have to pass. 

[jharaldson]

The music from the video would drive me insane.

 

One thing I noticed in the video is that it looks like a smooth swing but it was definately a pull swing.  It appears to me that either he or the Twins introduced the opposite field/inside out swing in at some point after this.  

[ashbury]

Questions as to whether he'll be able to stick behind the plate, long term.  Bat may not play at corner positions.

[D. Hocking]

I don't think any scout could have predicted the strong strides the sideburns would make in just a few short years.

 

I am bad at judging these things - but he always had a strong arm (which I guess would surprise no one who saw him play football).  It was interesting to see some of his mannerisms that he does now, such as how he brushes the plate etc.

 

[semi-related note that does not really deserve a separate thread or even any further discussion, but just a quick vent from a Mauer apologist.  I made the foolish decision to look at the Trib comments attached to yesterday's article where Mauer was quoted as saying he wanted normalcy for his kid kids.  Wow - there are a lot of people out there who might need to take a deep breath and let go of some of their anger.  Cute kids btw.]

[nicksaviking]

 I made the foolish decision to look at the Trib comments attached to yesterday's article where Mauer was quoted as saying he wanted normalcy for his kid kids.  Wow - there are a lot of people out there who might need to take a deep breath and let go of some of their anger.  Cute kids btw.]

 

How dare Mauer want the best for his kids.  The demands of these Prima Donna athletes!

[SwainZag]

The music from the video would drive me insane.

 

One thing I noticed in the video is that it looks like a smooth swing but it was definately a pull swing.  It appears to me that either he or the Twins introduced the opposite field/inside out swing in at some point after this.  

 

The music reminds of the background music during the "create a player" function on any sports related video game I've ever played.