Fangraphs: Mauer not Swinging like a Man

[PseudoSABR]

Joe Mauer Swings Away

Sometimes people just want to see Mauer swing the bat.

 

Interesting article looking at Mauer's ability to take pitches (or inability to swing the damn bat) in favorable hitters counts.

[snepp]

Chief's spidey-sense is certain to be tingling now.

[nicksaviking]

Was just going to post this. Not a lot of surprise in the article, things are as they appear although maybe to a greater extent than we figured. Mauer has swung at one 3-0 pitch in the last three years. Wow.

[twinsnorth49]

One swing on 3-0 in three years was a bit stunning. I'll still take Joe's approach though, doesn't make a lot of outs and I still say he did the right thing in that Seattle game, got on base, didn't waste and out and made way for a guy who was slugging over 100 points higher than him.

[70charger]

I'm not one to second guess a guy like Mauer, let's just get that out of the way to begin with. Though I do find it pretty crazy that he's swung at one 3-0 count in three years...That said, if Mauer were a big power guy, I'd say take a few more cuts on 3-0. Why not? But when you're a singles hitter, a single is often the functional equivalent of a walk. And even when there are guys on base who could move up more on a single, the context matters - Willingham isn't always going to hit a fly ball to right field.

[ericchri]

It's been said often enough, but seems relevant here. Baseball isn't limited by a clock, it's limited by making Outs. I'll go with Mauer on this one. I don't necessarily understand why he hits the way he does, but so what.

[ThePuck]

I have zero issues with the way he goes about his hitting..

[Guest USAFChief]

That said, if Mauer were a big power guy, I'd say take a few more cuts on 3-0. Why not? But when you're a singles hitter, a single is often the functional equivalent of a walk.

Perhaps "big power guy" and "a few more cuts" in hitter's counts are not totally unrelated.

[Willihammer]

If everyone on this team put together as many quality at-bats as Mauer, we would win 100 games every year. He is as good as it gets.

[Top Gun]

Anthony Swarzak will miss a month after fracturing two ribs late last month in a non-baseball related activity.

 

Swarzak suffered the injury while horsing with around with teammates at the team's recent TwinsFest event. His absence will stretch into the Grapefruit League schedule. The 27-year-old had a 5.03 ERA and 62/31 K/BB ratio over 96 2/3 innings last season and is expected to operate as a long reliever in 2013.

 

Source: Tyler Mason on Twitter

[ThePuck]

Anthony Swarzak will miss a month after fracturing two ribs late last month in a non-baseball related activity.

 

Swarzak suffered the injury while horsing with around with teammates at the team's recent TwinsFest event. His absence will stretch into the Grapefruit League schedule. The 27-year-old had a 5.03 ERA and 62/31 K/BB ratio over 96 2/3 innings last season and is expected to operate as a long reliever in 2013.

 

Source: Tyler Mason on Twitter

 

There's already a thread on this...

[PseudoSABR]

There's already a thread on this...

It didn't make any more sense when he posted in the Keith Law minor league thread either. I'd think the guy was a bot, but sometimes I think he actually posts his opinions...

[DaveW]

Mauer would make a perfect #2 hitter. Also I do tend to think he is to passive at times, there are bad times to take a walk. If there is runner(s) in scoring position and two outs Mauer needs to be swinging IMO

[gunnarthor]

One swing on 3-0 in three years was a bit stunning. I'll still take Joe's approach though, doesn't make a lot of outs and I still say he did the right thing in that Seattle game, got on base, didn't waste and out and made way for a guy who was slugging over 100 points higher than him.

 

Well, Mauer is what he is and that won't change sometimes it can be frustrating and most of the time it's probably a good thing. That said, in that game, I would have much rather have him try to hit a lefty specialist than need Willingham to have to get a hit against a tough right handed reliever.

[The Wise One]

Perhaps "big power guy" and "a few more cuts" in hitter's counts are not totally unrelated.

 

And perhaps Mauer is not a power guy but a contact guy.

[twinsnorth49]

Well, Mauer is what he is and that won't change sometimes it can be frustrating and most of the time it's probably a good thing. That said, in that game, I would have much rather have him try to hit a lefty specialist than need Willingham to have to get a hit against a tough right handed reliever.

 

 

I get that, I think I'd still let Hammer take a rip though.

[Riverbrian]

Mauer would make a perfect #2 hitter. Also I do tend to think he is to passive at times, there are bad times to take a walk. If there is runner(s) in scoring position and two outs Mauer needs to be swinging IMO

 

I agree... Put him in the 2 hole... His approach is wrong for the #3... Perfect for the #2... Problem solved.

[ThePuck]

I'm good with him in the three hole. He's our best option there. He's our best hitter.

 

According to Fangraphs, he was 6th in the AL in RE24. He was 10th in clutch hitting. Tied for 7th in wRC+,

 

His numbers with RISP are better than anyone else on the team....including Willingham, in a career year.