Ullger doesn't believe Mauer has a weakness

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- On this particular day, Twins batting coach Scott Ullger was talking about all of the young hitters in camp.

The Twins have several with potential, ranging from familiar prospects such as Michael Cuddyer and Michael Restovich to up-and-comers Jason Kubel and Terry Tiffee. Still, it's not hard for Ullger to speak more highly of Joe Mauer than of anyone else.

"It's amazing all the things he does right as a hitter," Ullger said. "You just film him and say, 'This is what it's supposed to look like, boys. This is what the stride is supposed to be like. This is what the head is supposed to look like.' All those things are right.

"It's just a matter of him learning the pitchers in the league. It will take a couple of times around the league for him to learn all the pitchers."

Mauer hasn't seen a pitch in a major league game yet but has drawn similar accolades all spring. Torii Hunter hit off a tee with Mauer early in camp and gushed about how his swing is not even close to as polished as the catching prodigy.

On Saturday, Mauer showed off some of that polish against the Dodgers, lofting a sacrifice fly to left field in the second inning. It was just a spring training sacrifice fly, but it still drew loud applause from the spectators.

"I've touched base with him a little bit," Ullger said. "I said, 'Joe, what do you think your weaknesses are? What do you have problems with?' He told me one the other day and I said, 'You don't want to ever think about that stuff until it becomes a problem.'

"You want to stay with your strength, hitting the ball gap to gap and don't worry about hitting home runs. Learn the league. Learn the pitchers. It may take one year. It may take you a half a year. It may take you two years, whatever."

Ullger used Justin Morneau as an example. Morneau, who made his debut last season, proved he could tear into a fastball but struggled when pitchers discovered that he would chase sliders away. Morneau is trying to adjust to that. That's the process.

"I don't think Mauer has a weakness, personally," Ullger said. "Maybe some pitcher may think he'll have one and try to exploit it."

Twins fans who are concerned that Mauer might be overhyped should take note of this: He hit 30 doubles in 509 at-bats last season, an indication that he can drive the ball. His career minor league batting average is .330 with an on-base percentage of .406.

"He's just phenomenal, mechanically," Ullger said. "He does everything right. It's amazing for a young kid like that. He's had great teaching and grew up with baseball all his life. He's a pleasure to watch."