Bollinger: Once Again, Mauer Quietly at the Top of his Game

[East Coast Twin]

Rhett Bollinger writes about Joe Mauer's success in hitting, especially his ability to hit with two strikes on him.

 

A big part of Mauer's game is his pitch recognition and ability to hit with two strikes, and it's showing yet again this season. Mauer leads the Majors with 16 two-strike hits, as he's hitting .410 (16-for-39) in those situations this season, which is impressive considering the league average with two strikes this season is a mere .176.

 

Gardenhire explained it a different way, as he said that Mauer, who is hitting .386 this season, simply has no fear hitting when he's behind in the count."It takes courage," Gardenhire said. "In the first place, not many guys want to get to two strikes and fight balls off. But it's not like he fights balls off. He puts as good a swing on with two strikes as he does any other time in the count."

 

Once again, Mauer quietly at the top of his game | MLB.com: News

[gunnarthor]

From the article: "The list of catchers with at least 1,000 hits, 250 doubles and 500 walks before their 30th birthday is a short one. There's Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Gary Carter and Mickey Cochrane, along with eight-time All-Star Ted Simmons. Then there's Joe Mauer."

 

Ted Simmons is really underrated.

[Boom Boom]

I couldn't help laughing at Gardy's "it takes courage" quote. It made me picture every hitter in MLB besides Mauer curling up in the fetal position as soon as they had a 2-strike count.

[fairweather]

I wouldn't call 8 for 10 in his last 2 games doing it quietly. Honestly he's carrying this team offensively right now, but for 23 million, he should.