Joe Mauer – 1B (.284/.353/.407)
Mauer is a 6-time All-Star and 5-time MVP candidate, however he hasn’t been to an All-Star Game in three years. His MVP caliber play has regressed since he has moved to first base. This season Mauer is starting to get back to being the hitter fans remember.
After a tough month of April where he hit .225/.271/.275 Mauer has vastly improved. He has begun to provide the veteran leadership in the lineup the Twins have lacked. All while getting on base almost half of the time he comes up to the plate.
Since start of May, Joe Mauer is hitting .337 (29-for-86) w/ 4 HR, 14 RBI and getting on base over 43% of the time.#MNTwins
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) June 3, 2017
Joe has also become one of the best defensive first basemen in the league. Defensive production has become almost as important as offensive production in the MLB. This year the Twins defense has been key in helping their pitching staff. Mauer has been a key contributor on defense.
With Mauer getting his hits to drop and preventing balls from leaving the infield he is proving he deserves to be in Miami. Although he won’t get the votes to beat out Miguel Cabrera he could still make the team.