Mauer, a catcher whose list of accolades is equaled only by the number of awards he’s won, was the first player selected in the June 2001 free agent draft. He’s done nothing but impress the Twins with his bat, his defensive skills and his take-charge ability.

His resume is pretty full for a young man who just bid adieu to his teenage years on April 19.

"I’d like to trade places with him," said former Twins manager Tom Kelly, who watched Mauer take his first batting practice rips as a Rock Cat Monday. "He’s a quick learner. He’s a good catcher with a good, strong arm who does a lot of things good behind the plate. He’s a good hitter. I’m sure he’ll have some problems the first couple weeks but he’ll figure things out. He’s done it every year."

Mauer batted .335, hit one homer and drove in 44 for the Class A Fort Myers Miracle, who concluded the first half of their split season with a divisional title last week. He hit .302 for Quad City in 2002 and .400 for short-season Elizabethton in 2001.

At Cretin-Derham (St. Paul, Minn.) High he was named player of the year by Gatorade, Parade Magazine and USA Today, and was a Reebok/ESPN All-American, and that was in football. Bobby Bowden must have winced when Mauer opted for professional baseball rather than taking snaps at quarterback for Florida State.

He absorbed the football-baseball tug-of-war that divided the attention of Drew Henson. Henson, now with the Yankees organization in Triple-A, could have had the keys to the University of Michigan offense when he opted for baseball.

"I spoke with him on the phone when Michigan was recruiting me," Mauer said. "We both were in pretty good situations."

He was also Gatorade Player of the Year in baseball after tying a national record by homering in seven consecutive games. He was a member of the Team USA Junior National squad and was voted the best hitter in the world at a tournament in Panama in 2000.

In spite of the hoop-la, Mauer remains a humble lad from America’s heartland, although he’s already taken southern New England by storm.

"It’s been pretty busy lately but it’s been pretty neat getting all this attention for playing the game that you love," Mauer said. "It’s pretty neat for me and my family, too."

The leap from Class A to Double-A can be imposing, and as Kelly noted, Mauer’s early days in the Eastern League are likely to be a challenge. With that in mind, manager Stan Cliburn inserted him in the eighth slot in the batting order.

"It’s a big jump and I’m looking forward to getting started," he said prior to Monday’s game against the Norwich Navigators and after his first (but surely not his last) TV interview in the state. "We have great coaches here. I’ve had them in instructional league (two years) and I’m looking forward to playing for them."

Cliburn, a former catcher, marvels at his young protégé’s talent.

"Seeing him in major league camp really opened my eyes," Cliburn said. "I heard all these great expectations about him but the way he handled himself in his first major league camp catching Rick Reed, Joe Mays, Brad Radke, Eddie Guardado; it was like watching a 10-year veteran. I know (Twins manager) Ron Gardenhire was really impressed the way he came in there and took charge."

Mauer was hindered by a hamstring pull coming out of spring training, leading to conjecture that it affected his power output.

"I don’t think so. People may say it did but I don’t think it made much of a difference," he said. "I think (home runs) will come sooner or later. I’m still recognizing what pitches I can handle and take out. It’s a learning process that will come in the future."

And Rock Cats fans will have a chance to witness the cornerstone of that future.

Ken Lipshez can be reached at klipshez@newbritain herald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601 ext. 222