Joe Mauer...Hall of Fame Numbers...to be?

Again, I am not trying to be to presumptuous with this info...but it is very interesting...and in a way...WOW!

Highest Offensive Numbers by Hall of Fame Catchers (career numbers):

ABs 8,756 (Carlton Fisk)
Runs 1,276 (Carlton Fisk)
Hits 2,356 (Carlton Fisk)
Doubles 421 (Carlton Fisk)
HRs 389 (Johnny Bench)
RBIs 1,430 (Yogi Berra)
BAvg. .320 (Mickey Cochrane)
OBP .419 (Mickey Cochrane)
Slug Pct. .500 (Roy Campanella)

Highest Batting Average for a season: .362 (Mike Piazza and Bill Dickey). Piazza has not been elected to the HOF. Ted Simmons has the most hits 2,472 and Doubles 483 for all catchers and is not elected to the HOF.

Mauer has played about 1/3 of his career...these are his current and projected numbers in ( )...compare them to the high numbers for the catchers listed above.

AB 2,582 (7,746)
Runs 419 (1,257)
Hits 844 (2,532)
Doubles 158 (474)
HRs 72 (216)
RBI 397 (1,191)
BAvg. .327
OBP .408
Slug Pct. .483

Highest Batting Average for one season for a catcher: In 2009, setting a new ML record for a catcher at .365

Has now won three batting championships in the last four years...2006, 2008 and 2009.

These numbers are quite interesting because Joe Mauer is still developing as a player. He has also had a couple of injury ridden seasons that have depressed some of his numbers. His power has just started to develop...

Some thoughts on 2010:

If Slowey comes back healthy and confident he could win 15-16 games with an ERA of 4.20.

If Baker can get his head on straight earlier in the season he could win 17-18 games with an ERA of 3.85.

If Blackburn learned his lessons from this year he could win 15 games next year with an ERA of 3.75.

If Pavano signs with the Twins he could win 15-16 games for the Twins with an ERA of 4.50.

If Nathan can relax in the off season and not dwell on his errors in 2009 he may start the season with some confidence...starting anew.

Expect Kubel's ABs will drop next year back to the 450-460 range. This will be due to a healthy Morneau who will probably DH more next year with Mauer. Don't expect Kubel to pick up time in OF...he isn't that great of a defensive OF.

Young maybe has shown some things to Gardenhire over the last 6 weeks of the season. With all his personal troubles behind him, Young may start the season as the starting LF and contribute offensively right from the start.

Expect Morneau to DH about 15 games next year to help keep him healthy. The same for Mauer...who should catch about 135 games next year.

Cuddyer would be expected to hit another 30 HRs...it will probably be more like back in the high 20's. Mauer seems to have found his power stroke and should hit mid 20's for HRs. While a healthy Morneau will be in the upper 30's.

Expect Punto to start most the season at SS or 2B.

Expect Casilla to get multiple chances to crack the starting lineup.

If the Twins can find another starting pitcher, strengthen the bullpen and find solutions at 2B, SS and 3B...expect the Twins to win 93-95 games in 2010.

Joe Mauer's 2009 Awards and Honors:

May 24, 2009 AL Player of the Week
May 2009 AL PLayer of the Month
2009 AL All Star selection -starting catcher
2009 AL Batting Championship hitting .365 (this was also a ML record for catchers)
Became the first catcher in history to win three batting titles in the ML.
Led the ML in Batting Average .365
Led the ML in On Base Percentage .444
Led the AL in Slugging Percentage .587
Led the AL in OPS with 1.031
Led AL catchers in defense in 2009 with a 3.53 zone rating
2009 AL Oscar Charleston Legacy Award (Best Player in the AL-selected by the Negro League Baseball Museum)
2009 AL Buck Leonard Award (AL Batting Championship -selected by the Negro League Baseball Museum)
2009 AL Player of the Year (voted on by the players in the AL)
2009 Rawlings Gold Glove - catcher

Coming up:

Will win-

2009 Silver Bat Award for Best Offense Catcher (annouced November 12)

On the list for:

2009 AL MVP (announced on November 23 @ 1:00 PM ET)
2009 TYIB Best Hitter of the Year (voted on by the fans)
2009 TYIB Best Play of the Year (voted on by the fans)

I think Joe Mauer needs a larger trophy room.

Congrats to Joe Mauer!!!

As predicted, though an easy call, Joe Mauer won his third Louisville Slugger 'Silver Slugger Award' for best hitting player at his position (catcher) in the AL.

Congratulations go to Joe Mauer!!!

No contest...LOL

Next big day...November 23 for AL MVP.