Mauer Swing Breakdown

Joe Mauer since the day he has stepped out of the Twins dugout the first time has been dominating opposition's pitchers. A career .323 hitter over a 10 year career which includes 3 American League Batting Titles along with the American League MVP in 2009. Mauer's swing is a swing that many marvel at and even more try to replicate. No two swings are identical in baseball and Mauer's swing can be categorized as controlled aggressive. This means it is tough to beat him no matter what count he is in. Mauer has been able to develop a solid approach where he is going to hit his pitch even if that means he gets two strikes on him. His eye for the strike zone is better than anyone in the league and his swing is short to the ball designed to hit gap to gap.

Mauer's swing analyzed: Mauer does not waste any movement, he has sound "quiet" hitting mechanics. In Mauer's load he does not move a lot of weight back onto his back leg, do not mistake this as he is not getting a load for him to drive the ball. His stride is smooth and balanced moving forward that his head does not move allowing him to stay focused on the baseball at all times. Mauer's hips start his lower half  before his stride foot lands, although he is starting his lower half he continues to keep his hands back allowing for more time to discern what the pitch is and where it is located. When his stride foot lands he will begin to open his hips up and start his hands to the ball. At point of contact his arms are still bent and it is not only till after contact that he will get into the power V position extending through the baseball allowing him to have a long bat path through the zone, this allows him a greater chance to hit the ball if his timing is slightly off and more power at contact.

Here is Mauer's swing in slow-motion: