He's a catcher, and a prize catch

Catcher Joe Mauer threw with ease to second base, and the ball popped sharply in the mitt. The kid has an arm.

In fact, Mauer could be a quarterback, having been one of the top college football prospects in 2001, and signing for a scholarship to Florida State.

But a love for baseball - and a $5.15 million signing bonus - convinced Mauer to go with the Minnesota Twins after he was the top pick in the 2001 major-league draft.

Mauer, 20, made his first appearance in Portland on Monday night, catching for the New Britain Rock Cats, giving the Hadlock Field fans a chance to see one of those can't-miss prospects.

"To see him in major-league spring training this year, there was no doubt that he was going to be something special," New Britain Manager Stan Cliburn said.

Cliburn showed a little concern about Portland Sea Dogs Manager Ron Johnson getting into Mauer's ear. Johnson is a big Florida State football fan, and would love to see Mauer in Tallahassee.

"Keep R.J. away from him," Cliburn joked.

If Mauer wants to return to college football, he will have to wait until 2006. Like others before him, including Chris Weinke and a former Sea Dogs third baseman, Josh Booty, his contract obliges him to baseball for five years.

Both Booty and Weinke went back to football and are now in the NFL.

Weinke attended the same high school as Mauer, Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minn. Weinke, too, turned down a Florida State scholarship to play in the Blue Jays' organization, before returning to the Seminoles and winning a Heisman Trophy.

"(Weinke) talked to me a lot about it," Mauer said. "He said to do what's best for me. Hopefully, I won't have to go back (to football). Right now it's going pretty good. And baseball has always been my favorite."

Mauer seems on track to be playing in the Metrodome, and not for the Vikings.

He batted .322 in his two previous minor-league seasons and was hitting .335 for Class A Fort Myers this year when he was promoted to New Britain. In 18 games with the Rock Cats, he's batting .333 with 10 RBI and no home runs.

Baseball America published its top-20 list of catching prospects last week. Mauer was at the top (Kelly Shoppach of the Sea Dogs was ranked No. 5).

The only knock on Mauer was his lack of power, but that's expected to come.

"He has a little work to do with his bat," Cliburn said. "But for as young as he is (he turned 20 in April), he is so far advanced."

Cliburn said Mauer handles pitchers like a seasoned pro.

"To see the way this kid handled Brad Radke and all these veteran pitchers in spring training was outstanding," Cliburn said.

Mauer speaks softly and humbly, but doesn't play that way.

"He's confident," Rock Cats veteran starter Brent Schoening, 25, said. "For a 20-year-old, he's not scared to tell me what he thinks."

Mauer said "it was weird going up to a guy a lot older than you and get on him because he's throwing balls. But age is not really an issue any more."

Cliburn said Mauer "brings a sense of pride and confidence.

"When he got here, we went 15-3. It's just been amazing the difference he made. He's take-charge. He's smart. All those things a catcher needs. A lot of that comes from him being a quarterback."

But he's a catcher, Cliburn reiterated. Keep those Florida State football fans away.