Article: A Closer Look At Joe Mauer's Struggles

[twinsnorth49]

read Boom Boom's post just above yours....that's my point. He doesn't play in Boston, he plays against shifts, he needs to find a way to produce. It isn't about everyone else, it is about him. he's the one at bat, that needs to hit to be worth his money. Him. The accountability for his success or failure is no him, not on playing in TF or against shifts.

 

 

I think that's just making an observation, not excuse making. When things get frustrating there is something to be said for maintaining a positive outlook instead of exacerbating the problem. I'm sure Mauer us accountable to himself, he's been way too good for too long nit to be.

[twinsnorth49]

I, too, was struck by the use of the word "victimized" -- I hope that this was just a Bremerism and not a word that is used generally by the Twins.

 

Mauer has to make adjustments. Mauer needs to take advantage of all available information and technology in deciding how to make those adjustments.

 

The Twins need to take advantage of information and technology to "victimize" the opposition's batters.

 

And we just presume that isn't happening because they don't say so to the media?

[JB_Iowa]

And we just presume that isn't happening because they don't say so to the media?

 

I'm not assuming anything.

 

I dislike the use of the word "vicitimize". It implies that the opposition did something wrong instead of simply taking advantage of perfectly legitimate strategy.

 

Rather than whining about it (and I realize this was Bremer not an official Twins spokesman), the Twins need to do the same and take advantage of all legitimate strategies that are available to them.

[Boom Boom]

Saying that Mauer's got to do better doesn't have to be negative. I'd just like it if they wouldn't obfuscate the problem to the media.

 

"You know what, defenses are shifting on Joe, now he's got to shift on them. He's a hard worker and he's got a great track record, and we're confident he can do that."

[Beezer07]

Very good article, Parker. Definitely adds something meaningful to the "why Mauer is struggling" conversation.

[Steve Lein]

Mauer might be the most skilled hitter that I have ever had the pleasure to watch. But I also think he is one of the dumbest, and most stubborn.

 

I agree with you on 2 of 3 points, those being his skill level and stubborness. I think any "dumbness" is a result of that stubborness. He is not a dumb hitter, the approach has served him very well.

 

But yeah, I have an issue with the stubborness.

 

Why?

 

Because often times you are getting multiple at-bats against the starting pitcher in a game and Mauer brings the same exact approach to every at-bat.

 

You absolutely want to get a good look at the guys pitches in your first at-bat, and Joe is great at this. He'll often wait until he has 2 strikes and isn't afraid of this, allowing him to see a lot of pitches right away.

 

Now, in the next at-bat, Joe has potentially already seen 4+ pitches, and likely all of that pitchers arsenal at that point. And he still takes that grooved first pitch fastball 90% of the time because he uses the same approach in all his at-bats.

 

The problem with this is, that this pitch is almost universally going to be the best pitch to hit that Mauer see's in an at-bat, so he's shortchanging himself by doing this. What is he waiting for?

 

Now I'm not saying he needs to overhaul anything as this has still worked pretty well for him, but I think he could benefit even more by being a bit more aggressive (like league average aggressive on 1st pitches instead of significantly below) if he's seen a bunch of pitches in the game already.

 

It's nearly every game I watch where he takes one of these pitches and I cringe, because I know he'd crush it if he'd just swing the bat.

[Tibs]

My dad always told me to "Hit 'em where they ain't." Has anyone in the organization tried telling that to Joe Mauer? Maybe I'll try e-mailing someone.

 

I really hope he turns it around soon. Joe doesn't deserve the treatment he receives from too many Twins fans.

[Beezer07]

I'm amused by the "Mauer won't swing at the first pitch complaints," because while I understand them w/r/t/ Mauer (sorta, but not really), I think my least favorite thing on the planet is seeing a guy swing at the first pitch and pop up or weakly ground out.

[longstrangetrip]

I'm amused by the "Mauer won't swing at the first pitch complaints," because while I understand them w/r/t/ Mauer (sorta, but not really), I think my least favorite thing on the planet is seeing a guy swing at the first pitch and pop up or weakly ground out.

 

Yeah, that bugs me too, beezer. But that usually happens when an overly-aggressive hitter hits the pitcher's pitch on the first pitch. Mauer is too good a hitter to do that. If the first pitch is a tough breaking ball or not right down the middle, I want Joe taking. But when he takes that first pitch fastball, the chances of his being forced to hit a tougher pitch later in the at bat increase...and too often the result is a 2-strike rollout to second.

[D. Hocking]

Saying that Mauer's got to do better doesn't have to be negative. I'd just like it if they wouldn't obfuscate the problem to the media.

 

"You know what, defenses are shifting on Joe, now he's got to shift on them. He's a hard worker and he's got a great track record, and we're confident he can do that."

 

Joe is obviously an adult and bears responsibility for how he deals with the media and how he is perceived, but the Twins PR department has not exactly helped him over the years. I think I read somewhere that he had never heard about bilateral leg weakness until he read the release. While he is never going to be an open book, I do think he learned some lessons from 2011 and is a little more forthcoming and at the very least does not hide from the media.

 

I do think he will work it out eventually (unless his reflexes etc. were permanently altered by a foul tip last August) but making changes against 95 mph pitches takes a number of at bats and might take longer than we would like.

[blindeke]

Mauer bashing is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

[OldTimeTwinkie]

I believe Joe is an old dog that has to learn new tricks which is not easy when his system of hitting has has made him a high average hitter. I believe that his philosophy is/was to use his eyes to guage the pitcher thus taking first pitch. Because of so many first pitch strikes he now only gives himself one aggressive swing. When that swing dosent result in putting ball in play he then learned how to cut his swing way down and wait thus the smooth easy swing. It is not

a powe swing, line drives and ground balls to left and left center. The outfield shifts have greatly hampered that. I don't believe there are many aggresive pull hitters who hit for average and this contadicts his success in his career. I have no doubt like most people on here that he should get more aggresive when batting and have more at bats with two aggresive swings in st

ead of one. The average will stay below what he accustomed too but could eventually make him a more complete hitter to all fields plus more power. The question is can an old dog learn new tricks?

[longstrangetrip]

Mauer bashing is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

 

Blindeke, I would characterize this thread less as Mauer bashing, and more as recognition of his extraordinary ability to hit a baseball...combined with an impression that he is not doing as much with that innate ability as he could.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

This is interesting to juxtapose against Jayson Stark's new article at ESPN: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10992556/mlb-five-most-shift-proof-hitters

 

Interesting. Stark's main proof that most of those hitters are shift-proof is the fact that teams don't shift on those hitters (% of PA against a shift) -- a little circular reasoning if you ask me. But then Stark cites a different stat to justify Mauer being on the list, and doesn't mention the outfield shift.

 

Parker 1, Stark 0. (Don't tell ESPN or they will want to raid our talent)

[Guest USAFChief]

So what you're telling me is that Joe needs to stop swinging at the first pitch.

Given his 1.038 OPS on the first pitch this year I'd say it's just the opposite.

[D. Hocking]

Parker 1, Stark 0. (Don't tell ESPN or they will want to raid our talent)

 

Stark gets up every morning saying "I wish I was Parker H."

[Brock Beauchamp]

Given his 1.038 OPS on the first pitch this year I'd say it's just the opposite.

 

I was just being a smart ass. A good way to counter these shifts might be to try to pull the first pitch.

[jharaldson]

I was looking at some other situations where players had defensive shifts and I cannot find any other players where the shift was to the opposite field. I am curious if anyone knows one?

 

One other thought comes to mind, generally these shifts seem to be put on against power hitters who can at least beat these shifts by hitting the ball to the seats. I think Joe might be a significant disadvantage againsts shift because the long ball is not a part of his game.

[longstrangetrip]

I was looking at some other situations where players had defensive shifts and I cannot find any other players where the shift was to the opposite field. I am curious if anyone knows one?

 

One other thought comes to mind, generally these shifts seem to be put on against power hitters who can at least beat these shifts by hitting the ball to the seats. I think Joe might be a significant disadvantage againsts shift because the long ball is not a part of his game.

 

Great question...I can't think of any examples of pronounced reverse shifts. I play senior men's baseball here in LA, and there are guys at the bottom of the order who can't turn on fastballs anymore. And outfielders will usually swing around in a manner similar to what Joe sees. I think that is why I am so offended by this shift for Joe, and why I want him to find a way to foil it. It's difficult for me to equate our $23 million man with the bottom of the order guys in my amateur league!

 

I don't think shifts were used much 40 years ago, but I think a Mauer shift would have been reasonably effective against a slap-hitting guy like Rod Carew.

[Willihammer]

How does Mauer beat the outfield shift? Easy.

 

Bunt to the 2nd base hole. RH starters will fall off to the 3rd base side and force 2nd basemen to field the ball. Eventually 2nd basemen will abandon the up-the-middle shade and start playing Mauer to bunt. At this point Mauer employs phase 2:

 

Handcuff bloopers. With the 2nd baseman playing in, Mauer simply dumps balls into shallow right field by squaring up pitches on the trademark. This will force the right fielder to play in. After achieving this, Mauer moves to phase 3:

 

Bat righthanded: With the rightfielder now playing shallow, Mauer's natural opposite field stroke will send fastball after fastball into the right field corner, leaving Mauer standing on 2nd base and forcing the center fielder to play behind the right fielder in right field. After which point Mauer simply employs phase 4:

 

Fungo bat. Mauer starts popping up infield flies directly over the pitching mound using a fungo bat. This will cause all 6 infielders to converge on the rubber and collide. With enough hangtime the fungo bat phase will create chaos sufficient to allow Mauer to run all the way to an open 3rd base. Eventually the left fielder will have to start playing shallower to guard against infield pop flies (so he can cover 3rd). Thus, both the left field line and the left center field gap will be re-opened.

[shimrod]

How does Mauer beat the outfield shift? Easy.

 

Bunt to the 2nd base hole. RH starters will fall off to the 3rd base side and force 2nd basemen to field the ball. Eventually 2nd basemen will abandon the up-the-middle shade and start playing Mauer to bunt. At this point Mauer employs phase 2:

 

Handcuff bloopers. With the 2nd baseman playing in, Mauer simply dumps balls into shallow right field by squaring up pitches on the trademark. This will force the right fielder to play in. After achieving this, Mauer moves to phase 3:

 

Bat righthanded: With the rightfielder now playing shallow, Mauer's natural opposite field stroke will send fastball after fastball into the right field corner, leaving Mauer standing on 2nd base and forcing the center fielder to play behind the right fielder in right field. After which point Mauer simply employs phase 4:

 

Fungo bat. Mauer starts popping up infield flies directly over the pitching mound using a fungo bat. This will cause all 6 infielders to converge on the rubber and collide. With enough hangtime the fungo bat phase will create chaos sufficient to allow Mauer to run all the way to an open 3rd base. Eventually the left fielder will have to start playing shallower to guard against infield pop flies (so he can cover 3rd). Thus, both the left field line and the left center field gap will be re-opened.

 

I think we've just found our replacement for Gardy.

[Brock Beauchamp]

How does Mauer beat the outfield shift? Easy.

 

Bunt to the 2nd base hole. RH starters will fall off to the 3rd base side and force 2nd basemen to field the ball. Eventually 2nd basemen will abandon the up-the-middle shade and start playing Mauer to bunt. At this point Mauer employs phase 2:

 

Handcuff bloopers. With the 2nd baseman playing in, Mauer simply dumps balls into shallow right field by squaring up pitches on the trademark. This will force the right fielder to play in. After achieving this, Mauer moves to phase 3:

 

Bat righthanded: With the rightfielder now playing shallow, Mauer's natural opposite field stroke will send fastball after fastball into the right field corner, leaving Mauer standing on 2nd base and forcing the center fielder to play behind the right fielder in right field. After which point Mauer simply employs phase 4:

 

Fungo bat. Mauer starts popping up infield flies directly over the pitching mound using a fungo bat. This will cause all 6 infielders to converge on the rubber and collide. With enough hangtime the fungo bat phase will create chaos sufficient to allow Mauer to run all the way to an open 3rd base. Eventually the left fielder will have to start playing shallower to guard against infield pop flies (so he can cover 3rd). Thus, both the left field line and the left center field gap will be re-opened.

 

Best post I've read in awhile. Reminds me of my idea to put a double cheeseburger under second base in innings when Matt LeCroy was due up.

 

A great idea until Matty started bowling over the pitcher running directly to second after contact.

[longstrangetrip]

I think tonight was a good example of my frustration with Joe. 5 at bats, and only once did he swing at the first fastball strike he saw. And not coincidentally, that was when he got his one hit. In his 4th at bat, he took a fastball outside for ball one, but then PULLED the next fastball sharply into right for his one hit. In another at bat he got behind in the count because he took a nice breaking ball, so I don't fault him for that...that's just good pitching. But he took grooved fastballs (I believe, at least...don't remember one at bat too clearly) for strike one in his other 3 at bats, and ended up eventually making an out on a pitcher's pitch. To Joe's credit, he's such a good hitter that he actually hit the ball fairly well on two of his outs, but they weren't hits. In my make believe world, Molitor sits down with him after the game and analyzes his five at bats with him.

[Willihammer]

FWIW the YES guys said Mauer was pulling balls in BP today

[longstrangetrip]

FWIW the YES guys said Mauer was pulling balls in BP today

I heard that, and liked it.

 

What they didn't report was whether he was letting juicy fast balls sail by in batting practice too.

[Ultima Ratio]

How does Mauer beat the outfield shift? Easy.

 

Bunt to the 2nd base hole. RH starters will fall off to the 3rd base side and force 2nd basemen to field the ball. Eventually 2nd basemen will abandon the up-the-middle shade and start playing Mauer to bunt. At this point Mauer employs phase 2:

 

Handcuff bloopers. With the 2nd baseman playing in, Mauer simply dumps balls into shallow right field by squaring up pitches on the trademark. This will force the right fielder to play in. After achieving this, Mauer moves to phase 3:

 

Bat righthanded: With the rightfielder now playing shallow, Mauer's natural opposite field stroke will send fastball after fastball into the right field corner, leaving Mauer standing on 2nd base and forcing the center fielder to play behind the right fielder in right field. After which point Mauer simply employs phase 4:

 

Fungo bat. Mauer starts popping up infield flies directly over the pitching mound using a fungo bat. This will cause all 6 infielders to converge on the rubber and collide. With enough hangtime the fungo bat phase will create chaos sufficient to allow Mauer to run all the way to an open 3rd base. Eventually the left fielder will have to start playing shallower to guard against infield pop flies (so he can cover 3rd). Thus, both the left field line and the left center field gap will be re-opened.

 

You have me in stitches. Great post!