Mauer is named top minor leaguer

CLEVELAND -- Friday, when Joe Mauer was named Baseball America's minor league player of the year, he was at Concordia College honing his swing with brothers Jake and Bill.

"Just some soft toss," Joe Mauer said.

After all, there's still work to do before his 2003 season ends. He impressed in major league spring training camp, started in the All-Star Futures Game in Chicago, helped Class AA New Britain reach the playoffs and now is preparing for Arizona Fall League play.

He paused long enough to talk about winning the biggest award a prospect can get. Mauer, the first Twin to win the award, joins a list of prominent players, including Rocco Baldelli (2002), Andruw Jones (1995-96), Derek Jeter (1994), Frank Thomas (1980) and Dwight Gooden (1983).

"It's quite an honor," Mauer said. "Rocco Baldelli won it last year, and look at the year he's having this year [with Tampa Bay]. It's an honor, that's for sure."

He's the second catcher to receive the award, joining Sandy Alomar (1989). All 20 players previously given the award have reached the majors.

"It's a great honor, not only for the player but for the organization," said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues.

Mauer, selected with the first overall pick of the 2001 draft out of Cretin-Derham Hall High School, batted .335 with a homer and 44 RBI in 62 games at Class A Fort Myers, then .341 with four homers and 41 RBI in 73 games for New Britain.

Twins officials say Mauer could make his major league debut during the 2004 season, especially because he has made progress in calling games and working with pitchers. His career minor league batting average is .330.

"Behind the plate, I've worked real hard since I got to the pros," Mauer said. "I've learned a lot this year."

Another honor?

Mays OK after surgery

Righthander Joe Mays underwent successful ulnar collateral ligament surgery Thursday and is expected to be out 12 to 18 months.

The surgery, however, took a different turn. A ligament usually is removed from the wrist and placed inside the elbow. Mays' wrist ligament was deemed to be too small, and doctors instead used a ligament from one of his legs.

Mays was 8-8 with a 6.30 ERA.

Etc.

• The Twins are 31-30 against the AL Central.

• Torii Hunter homered for the first time since Aug. 24 against Kansas City, a span of 62 at-bats.

On deck

The Twins are 21-27 in games started by lefthanders. Cleveland is starting three of them in this series, including today's starter, Cliff Lee (3-1, 3.06). First pitch is at 6:05 p.m.