Joe Mauer Is "Much Stronger" Than Past Seasons

[h2oface]

A lot is being made of an off-the-cuff "aside" comment as part of a long article on lots of things. For what it is, I take it as good news and a valid hearsay pass along. It should have become apparent to Mauer and Perkins and Dozier (and every player) to make sure they get on the fitness and cardio bandwagen a couple  years ago, but now is still a good time.

[jimmer]

I think a big problem Mauer has is the ever expanding called strike zone. His eye is so keen on what was being called a strike and not a strike for so long that the yearly expansions of the zone is hard for him to adjust to. Batters who are less selective, who are more free swingers, are likely less effected. just my opinion. I think the concussion is part of it too.

[D. Hocking]

 

I think a big problem Mauer has is the ever expanding called strike zone. His eye is so keen on what was being called a strike and not a strike for so long that the yearly expansions of the zone is hard for him to adjust to. Batters who are less selective, who are more free swingers, are likely less effected. just my opinion. I think the concussion is part of it too.

 

I heard him talking about the strike zone on one of the Twinsfest interviews over the weekend (I think with Reusse).  They also talked about how it is much more common to face some sort of specialty reliever in the 5 or 6th inning another around at the starting pitching.  Reusse later was saying because of these things, even if Joe recovers his swing, the days of hitting 340 or 350 are over.

[KGB]

 

I think a big problem Mauer has is the ever expanding called strike zone. His eye is so keen on what was being called a strike and not a strike for so long that the yearly expansions of the zone is hard for him to adjust to. Batters who are less selective, who are more free swingers, are likely less effected. just my opinion. I think the concussion is part of it too.

That sounds like a case where your biggest strength can becoume your biggest weakness if you are unwilling to change. 

[EddieMatthews]

 

I personally think this is too simplistic.  Let's look at his K%:

 

2004-2010 – 9.8%

2011 – 11.4%

2012 – 13.7%

2013 – 17.5%

Concussion

2014 – 18.5%

2015 – 16.8%

 

His increase in strikeouts came almost completely before the concussion.  This was hidden by luck in BABIP.  in 2012 he hit 20 points over his career BABIP and in 2013 that went up to 39 points over.  

 

I personally prescribe to a ranked theory of the Mauer decline as opposed to the single cause KISS theory of concussion only:

 

1.  Age (Time at catcher, injuries prior to concussion, ect...).  

2.  Concussion.

3.  Defensive shifts.

4.  Change in strikezone.

Not discounting the impact of age which takes a toll on all hitters, Joe's strikeout percentage correlates to an overall increase in strikeout percentage in the AL from 2010 through 2015.  It is likely that pitchers have been given an advantage over hitters in that timespan.  In 2010 the K ratio was 19.6% and in 2015 it was 22.0%.

[Craig Arko]

I think it's all clearly related to when he and his mom stopped doing milk commercials for Kemps.

 

Since correlation implies causation and all.

[DrNeau]

The overflow of reports of his health, gained strength, and newly-found pull power are far from a “side comment”.

 

Here are just a few.

 

Pull power:
3/28/15: Joe Mauer isn't known for his pull-side power, but that could change this season.
http://www.nj.com/phillies/index.ssf/2015/03/mauer_hits_1st_spring_homer_twins_beat_phillies.html

 

3/31/15: Twins’ Joe Mauer Improving Power to Right Field
http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-joe-mauer-improving-power-to-right-field/

 

5/4/15: Now healthy Mauer seeing success pulling the ball http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/now-healthy-minnesota-twins-joe-mauer-seeing-success-with-pulling-the-ball-050415

 

Health:

1/25/15: “I feel good.” http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-joe-mauer-says-his-legs-feel-strong-heading-into-2015/

 

Strength:
2/3/15: “I feel strong.” http://www.startribune.com/twins-mauer-feels-good-so-molitor-does-too/289729801/

 

3/5/15: “I feel strong.” http://www.gammonsdaily.com/with-strong-lower-half-will-joe-mauers-plate-coverage-return/

 

4/2/15: “Just overall I feel great.” Article also mentions “new pull power”. http://www.twincities.com/2015/04/02/twins-joe-mauer-ready-for-reboot-after-offseason-makeover/

 

---------------------------------
One interesting excerpt from this article on 2/3/15, Joe reported that he had not yet swung a bat during the offseason, in preparation for the season ahead.

 

Joe Mauer: "I’m starting to swing this week and will see how much progress I have made.”

---------------------------------

 

There are lots of reports that demonstrate he is healthy - many supported by his direct quotes - but you feel otherwise. Okay. Curious why many continue to state he is injured, while report after report says the opposite. 

[nicksaviking]

The overflow of reports of his health, gained strength, and newly-found pull power are far from a “side comment”.

 

Here are just a few.

 

Pull power:

3/28/15: Joe Mauer isn't known for his pull-side power, but that could change this season.http://www.nj.com/phillies/index.ssf/2015/03/mauer_hits_1st_spring_homer_twins_beat_phillies.html

 

3/31/15: Twins’ Joe Mauer Improving Power to Right Fieldhttp://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-joe-mauer-improving-power-to-right-field/

 

5/4/15: Now healthy Mauer seeing success pulling the ball http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/now-healthy-minnesota-twins-joe-mauer-seeing-success-with-pulling-the-ball-050415

 

Health:

1/25/15: “I feel good.” http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-joe-mauer-says-his-legs-feel-strong-heading-into-2015/

 

Strength:

2/3/15: “I feel strong.” http://www.startribune.com/twins-mauer-feels-good-so-molitor-does-too/289729801/

 

3/5/15: “I feel strong.” http://www.gammonsdaily.com/with-strong-lower-half-will-joe-mauers-plate-coverage-return/

 

4/2/15: “Just overall I feel great.” Article also mentions “new pull power”. http://www.twincities.com/2015/04/02/twins-joe-mauer-ready-for-reboot-after-offseason-makeover/

 

---------------------------------

One interesting excerpt from this article on 2/3/15, Joe reported that he had not yet swung a bat during the offseason, in preparation for the season ahead.

 

Joe Mauer: "I’m starting to swing this week and will see how much progress I have made.”

---------------------------------

 

There are lots of reports that demonstrate he is healthy - many supported by his direct quotes - but you feel otherwise. Okay. Curious why many continue to state he is injured, while report after report says the opposite.

 

The most recent of those was from May.

 

We aren't being barraged with anything regarding Mauer. As far as I can tell, we have one recent report that said Joe has been increasing his strength.

 

I think it's entirely possible that in 2016, more words have been spilled regarding Mauer in this thread alone than in the rest of the collective sports writing community combined.

[tobi0040]

 

The overflow of reports of his health, gained strength, and newly-found pull power are far from a “side comment”.

 

Here are just a few.

 

Pull power:
3/28/15: Joe Mauer isn't known for his pull-side power, but that could change this season.
http://www.nj.com/phillies/index.ssf/2015/03/mauer_hits_1st_spring_homer_twins_beat_phillies.html

 

3/31/15: Twins’ Joe Mauer Improving Power to Right Field
http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-joe-mauer-improving-power-to-right-field/

 

5/4/15: Now healthy Mauer seeing success pulling the ball http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/now-healthy-minnesota-twins-joe-mauer-seeing-success-with-pulling-the-ball-050415

 

Health:

1/25/15: “I feel good.” http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-joe-mauer-says-his-legs-feel-strong-heading-into-2015/

 

Strength:
2/3/15: “I feel strong.” http://www.startribune.com/twins-mauer-feels-good-so-molitor-does-too/289729801/

 

3/5/15: “I feel strong.” http://www.gammonsdaily.com/with-strong-lower-half-will-joe-mauers-plate-coverage-return/

 

4/2/15: “Just overall I feel great.” Article also mentions “new pull power”. http://www.twincities.com/2015/04/02/twins-joe-mauer-ready-for-reboot-after-offseason-makeover/

 

---------------------------------
One interesting excerpt from this article on 2/3/15, Joe reported that he had not yet swung a bat during the offseason, in preparation for the season ahead.

 

Joe Mauer: "I’m starting to swing this week and will see how much progress I have made.”

---------------------------------

 

There are lots of reports that demonstrate he is healthy - many supported by his direct quotes - but you feel otherwise. Okay. Curious why many continue to state he is injured, while report after report says the opposite. 

 

If Mauer ever did pull one, he could do the worm to second base

[DrNeau]

 

The most recent of those was from May.

We aren't being barraged with anything regarding Mauer. As far as I can tell, we have one recent report that said Joe has been increasing his strength.

 

Yes, the recent report on 1/22/16 stated that Mauer is "much stronger than in past seasons", which is the same thing we heard all last spring.

 

The links I posted document last year's reports that Mauer is healthy, which is contrary to speculation that he is still adversely affected by a concussion. If it is acceptable for some in this thread to believe a player is injured while the player himself says he is healthy, I reserve the right to believe otherwise when hearing of all of this "gained strength" talk when the player spent the off-season stretching. I also reserve the right to believe that changes to his approach will not occur when he shows year after year that he does not pick up a bat until February. Bat speed comes with hard work in the cage. If he wants to brag about how he has not touched a bat all off-season, fine. At the same time, I do not want to hear one word about "pull power". 

[KGB]

 

Not discounting the impact of age which takes a toll on all hitters, Joe's strikeout percentage correlates to an overall increase in strikeout percentage in the AL from 2010 through 2015.  It is likely that pitchers have been given an advantage over hitters in that timespan.  In 2010 the K ratio was 19.6% and in 2015 it was 22.0%.

The league average is up about 12%, Mauer's is up about 70% so the correlation to the league is not close.

[jharaldson]

 

Not discounting the impact of age which takes a toll on all hitters, Joe's strikeout percentage correlates to an overall increase in strikeout percentage in the AL from 2010 through 2015.  It is likely that pitchers have been given an advantage over hitters in that timespan.  In 2010 the K ratio was 19.6% and in 2015 it was 22.0%.

 

Joe went from a K% of %9.1 in 2010 to a K% of %17.5 in 2013, a %8.4 increase.  The AL went from a K% of %17.5 in 2010 to a K% of %19.8 in 2013, a %2.5 increase.  I agree the increasing strike zone is a factor which is why I had it in my list but Mauers increase was over 3 times the league average increase which points to other factors.  Since he hadn't had his concussion yet I am left to assume it is age and other injury accumulation.

 

2010 K%

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=al&qual=0&type=8&season=2010&month=0&season1=2010&ind=0&team=0,ss&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

 

2013 K%

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=al&qual=0&type=8&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0,ss&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

 

[nicksaviking]

 

Yes, the recent report on 1/22/16 stated that Mauer is "much stronger than in past seasons", which is the same thing we heard all last spring.

 

The links I posted document last year's reports that Mauer is healthy, which is contrary to speculation that he is still adversely affected by a concussion. If it is acceptable for some in this thread to believe a player is injured while the player himself says he is healthy, I reserve the right to believe otherwise when hearing of all of this "gained strength" talk when the player spent the off-season stretching. I also reserve the right to believe that changes to his approach will not occur when he shows year after year that he does not pick up a bat until February. Bat speed comes with hard work in the cage. If he wants to brag about how he has not touched a bat all off-season, fine. At the same time, I do not want to hear one word about "pull power".

 

That's not being barraged. I counted the one sentence quote, it was 22 words total and that's if you count St. Paul as two words. We got one report on Mauer all off season. An off season in which very little has happened. Twins baseball writers have been an inch away from reporting on Trevor May's new dog; Mauer is largely an afterthought these days.

 

And who said anything about "pull power"? Why don't you want to hear one word of it. It has nothing to do with the throw-away line from a trainer about Mauer's off season, and instead sounds like an attempt to push any discussion on Mauer into another direction. This has gone past subjective observation and headed deep into personal grudge territory. As far as I can see, the only point of all of the old articles you are referencing is to say that Mauer isn't the player he used to be and he likely never will again, but no one is arguing otherwise. It is clear that the only point of this exercise is to rip Mauer.

[Vanimal46]

 

That's not being barraged. I counted the one sentence quote, it was 22 words total and that's if you count St. Paul as two words. We got one report on Mauer all off season. An off season in which very little has happened. Twins baseball writers have been an inch away from reporting on Trevor May's new dog, Mauer is largely an afterthought these days.

 

And who said anything about "pull power"? Why don't you want to hear one word of it. It has nothing to do with the throw-away line from a trainer about Mauer's off season, and instead sounds like an attempt to push any discussion on Mauer into another direction. This has gone past subjective observation and headed deep into personal grudge territory. As far as I can see, the only point of all of the old articles you are referencing is to say that Mauer isn't the player he used to be and he likely never will again, but no one is arguing otherwise. It is clear that the only point of this exercise is to rip Mauer.

You just made me do this at my desk.. 

[DrNeau]

I think you misunderstand me. I hope Joe hits .400 this year. I'll be watching the games and will cheer him on. That being said, the concussion excuse is as tired as the constant reports of how healthy and strong he is. If Joe performs well, he should be praised for it. If he is coming off of consecutive poor years, sue me for not wanting to hear stories of his great strength. I just got home and am wearing a Mauer jersey right now. Hope that come April, he starts tearing into the ball again like the days of old.

[DrNeau]

 

And who said anything about "pull power"? Why don't you want to hear one word of it. It has nothing to do with the throw-away line from a trainer about Mauer's off season, and instead sounds like an attempt to push any discussion on Mauer into another direction.

 

I'm sorry but you did mention Mauer's approach, and how you think that unless he changes his swing and approach, you don't think his increased strength is going to show up as HR numbers. Although I agree with you completely, you did shift the discussion. I was discussing strength and power and cited references to material that related to Joe on this topic. Forgive me for following your lead. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Okay, this is getting very close to petty bickering and the discussion is circular.

 

Return to talking about Mauer (and not repeating past comments/blathering), or the thread gets locked.

[The Wise One]

 

How do you know Mauer has post concussion syndrome?  Mauer has said that he has no issues since October 2013.

 

Just because his production has dropped, doesn't mean he has post concussion syndrome. 

Tell you what, go read up on brain injuries and when you understand it chide me for what I said.

[TwinsFan4Life]

 

There are lots of reports that demonstrate he is healthy - many supported by his direct quotes - but you feel otherwise. Okay. Curious why many continue to state he is injured, while report after report says the opposite.

 

So true. The poor production level is why people continue to insert that he is still injured. If he were playing well, no one would say that. Every report - even from him - says he is "strong", "healthy", "feeling good", etc. There were many reports last year that he was strong as well. We obviously should not believe them, though, because he is injured, right? 

 

[tobi0040]

I think Mauer's bat has slowed.  It could be age, the concussion, and/or the fact that he caught almost 1,000 games in the big leagues.  It is likely some combination of the three.

 

But he rarely ever used the whole outfield in his prime. If you look at the FG spray charts, even from 2012 to now he hits the ball down the RF line even less frequently than he did before.   So defenses have adjusted accordlingly.   It is easy to say he needs to make the adjustment.  But I think he is smart enough to, but players bats slow as they age.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think Mauer's bat has slowed.  It could be age, the concussion, and/or the fact that he caught almost 1,000 games in the big leagues.  It is likely some combination of the three.

I wonder if there is any data on this, using PitchFX and/or Statcast?  Where one could estimate the average speed of his bat and reaction time?

 

Target Field got one of the early prototype Statcast installations during the second half of 2013, so it's possible that both pre- and post-concussion data exists for Mauer.

[tobi0040]

 

I wonder if there is any data on this, using PitchFX and/or Statcast?  Where one could estimate the average speed of his bat and reaction time?

 

Target Field got one of the early prototype Statcast installations during the second half of 2013, so it's possible that both pre- and post-concussion data exists for Mauer.

 

BP took shot awhile back.  They basically just looked at 95+ mph FB that were offered at.  Mauer was 9th slowest in the league.  This is a very small sample though.

 

Small sample or not, I don't think Joe Mauer from earlier in his career would likely not have appeared on these types of lists.

 

To me the spray charts are pretty telling.  Go back to 2012 and look at each year.  Even though he has been played more and more to left, he is still having a harder and harder time driving the ball down the RF line.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=23885

[Twinfan & Dad]

Does this mean he can catch up with the fastball and cut down on his K's ?

[gocgo]

Just once...just ONE TIME...I want a player to say "I didn't do squat this offseason.  I adopted the John Kruk workout plan and I am in the worst shape I've ever been in...but the beer tasted great!"  

 

John Kruk was the man!

[zenser]

 

Just once...just ONE TIME...I want a player to say "I didn't do squat this offseason.  I adopted the John Kruk workout plan and I am in the worst shape I've ever been in...but the beer tasted great!"  

 

John Kruk was the man!

 

 

That is exactly how I have spent the offseason!

[KGB]

 

Tell you what, go read up on brain injuries and when you understand it chide me for what I said.

Are you not speculating about his condition or do you have knowledge of continuing concussion problems?  As pointed out, Mauer's decline in production can be explained by multiple things and beginning prior to any concussion.  So to jump to "brain injury" and end of discussion, doesn't appear to be a wise approach.

[The Wise One]

 

Are you not speculating about his condition or do you have knowledge of continuing concussion problems?  As pointed out, Mauer's decline in production can be explained by multiple things and beginning prior to any concussion.  So to jump to "brain injury" and end of discussion, doesn't appear to be a wise approach.

End of discussion is appropriate when you do not understand brain injuries and I don't fee like writing a blog. The batting numbers all say something is off with Mauer.  Contact rate is about the same, results are different, power has been down, the spray pattern is different. 

[KGB]

 

End of discussion is appropriate when you do not understand brain injuries and I don't fee like writing a blog. The batting numbers all say something is off with Mauer.  Contact rate is about the same, results are different, power has been down, the spray pattern is different. 

Here's his contact rate according to Fangraphs:

 

2011                 87.3%

2012                 87.8

2013                 83.8

2014                 84.7

2015                 84.6

 

Like many of the concussion arguments his contact rate dropped before his concussion.  But I do agree we are probably never going to agree on the subject, so time to move on

[tobi0040]

The latest Walters article bragging about Cretin was classic.

 

http://www.twincities.com/2016/02/06/charley-walters-former-raider-ryan-harris-feeling-just-super/

[ewen21]

The latest article put out by PP entitled;

"Finally healthy, Joe Mauer prepped for what Twins hope is ‘a bounce-back year’"

http://www.twincities.com/2016/02/17/finally-healthy-joe-mauer-twins-hope-bounce-back-year/

 

I know these articles are designed to promote optimism, but as soon as I get to reading and look at those pictures of Joe working out I just shook my head in disgust.

 

Is that him squatting 65lbs wearings gloves?