By Jeffrey Zampanti
April 23, 2002

Joe Mauer Photo: Bill Setliff

BELOIT, Wis.–It’s official: Joe Mauer is human.

The first overall pick in the 2001 draft finally experienced what every other hitter on the planet has already gone through. With two hits in his first 20 at-bats this season for Class A Quad City, Mauer found himself in a slump.

"To tell you the truth, it’s probably the first time I’ve ever gone through one," said Mauer, who struck out once in his four years at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minn.

"I got off to kind of a rough start, but I’m not really worried about it. The hits will come."

The hits came last year when Mauer batted a cool .400 (44-for-110) in his pro debut with Elizabethton (Tenn.) of the Rookie-level Appalachian League after signing a $5.15 million bonus with his hometown Twins.

Even big league camp didn’t slow down Mauer. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound catcher went 4-for-9 with one RBI this spring and impressed just about everyone in the organization with his size, skills and maturity.

Mauer launched the first home run of his pro career with two outs in the top of the ninth inning against Beloit on April 14 at Pohlman Field. The 400-foot, opposite-field shot to left-center sent the game into extra innings before the River Bandits fell 9-8 in 10 innings for their eighth loss in 10 games.

While Mauer didn’t homer last season, his quick, lefthanded stroke should eventually generate 25-30 home runs at the major league level, according to Twins’ special assignment scout Dale McReynolds.

"He does things with the bat that most kids can only dream of," McReynolds said. "He hasn’t set the world on fire yet in this league, but it’s still early."

Ranked No. 7 on Baseball America’s Top 100 prospect list, Mauer went head-to-head against Brewers’ pitching prospect Mike Jones in his first two at-bats of the game.

Jones, the 12th overall pick in last year’s draft, quickly got ahead with two strikes against Mauer in the first inning. With a runner at first and one out, Jones delivered a filthy, 75-mph curveball forcing Mauer to drive the pitch into the dirt for a 6-4-3 double play.

Mauer, who rarely swings at pitches out of the zone, worked the count to 3-1 in the third inning before drawing a walk to load the bases. Mauer homered in his fifth at-bat against Beloit reliever Chris Saenz.

Behind the plate, Mauer lacks only experience. The former Florida State quarterback recruit has a plus arm and is extremely nimble for his size. Mauer said he’s focused on becoming a polished catcher.

"I’m getting a lot better," Mauer said. "Our coaching staff is helping me out and I’m learning a lot about the game. I’m just trying to soak everything in."

Scouts have never doubted his defense. McReynolds said Mauer would have no problem playing first base, third base, or outfield in the majors.

"He could probably play any position on the diamond," said McReynolds. "He runs well enough to play the outfield and his hands are plenty good enough to play the infield. He’s even had success as a pitcher.

"When I watched him in high school, I’d just look around and see all of the other scouts sit there and drool. If this kid doesn’t make it in this game, then we (scouts) better give it up."