Cats' Kubel Consistently Aggressive

Jason Kubel has had fast starts before, but not like this.

The Rock Cats outfielder was named Eastern League player of the month after leading the league with a .416 batting average. He tied for the league lead in hits with 32 and had seven doubles and three home runs.

The left-handed batter also led the league in on-base percentage (.471) and slugging percentage (.675). He was also the Rock Cats player of the month.

"He has stayed so consistent," manager Stan Cliburn said. "He is one of our most aggressive hitters. When he makes contact, he doesn't miss. He doesn't foul it much, he puts in play consistently. Being aggressive is something we stress all the time to our players, and Jason is a good young hitter."

Kubel is in his first season at Double A. The Twins drafted Kubel, 5 feet 11, 200 pounds, in the 12th round in June 2000, shortly after he graduated from Highland High School in Palmdale, Calif.

He hit .321 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI at Quad City in the Class A Midwest League in 2002.

Last season with Fort Myers in the Class A Florida State League, he hit .298 with 82 RBI. He also had a 13-game hitting streak early last season, going 20-for-50 from April 29 to May 16.

Baseball America ranked Kubel as the No. 17 prospect in the Florida State League and listed him as having the best outfield arm in the league.

Entering this season, Baseball America ranked Kubel as the Twins' No. 8 prospect.

"I've never had this kind of a start to a season before," Kubel said. "It's kind of unusual. I'm seeing the ball really well. Everything is just working well right now."

Kubel knows such an offensive surge can be fleeting and says he still has a lot of work ahead of him.

"I definitely need to still work on my hitting," Kubel said. "I also need to still work on my defense."

Despite his fast start, Kubel is likely to remain with the Rock Cats, Cliburn said.

"I think he needs a full season in Double A," Cliburn said. "The Twins don't want to rush him and I think he'll spend the full time here."

Another Start For Helling

The former 20-game winner was hit by a line drive the last week of spring training, fracturing his right fibula. He made his first rehabilitation start Tuesday, holding the Trenton Thunder to two hits in seven innings.

Cliburn said he made sure his pitchers, especially top prospect J.D. Durbin, paid attention to Helling.

Helling will be on a 100-pitch count today, Cliburn said.

"I think after this start he'll be on his way to Minnesota," Cliburn said.

Cliburn and about 10 players spent Friday morning touring the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown before the Rock Cats' night game against Binghamton.