I've done projections for all the pitchers, now it's time to get to the hitters before the season begins. We start with the catcher, Joe Mauer. As with pitchers, let's start by taking a look at the ZiPS projection for 2008 as well as his past two seasons.

Mauer followed up a spectacular 2006 season, in which he was the AL batting champion, with a disappointing injury-plagued 2007 season. He spent the month of May on the DL with a quad injury and was likely plagued by it throughout the rest of the season after returning. Mauer batted .369 in the first month of the season, before being pretty average the remainder of the way.

Since Mauer first emerged in the big leagues in 2004, some power from Mauer was predicted, but he has yet to show a real power stroke, with 13 homers in 2006 being his career best. Perhaps a healthy 2008 could finally bring him near the 20 homerun mark at the age of 25.

One interesting stat in his splits was that he batted 96 points higher on the road than he did at the Metrodome in 2007. That's a bit more drastic than his career splits, but Mauer has been a better hitter on the road for all of the past three seasons.

If he's able to meet his 2008 projections, I think everyone would be satisfied. Combined with his excellent defensive ability, it would certainly make him one of the top catchers in baseball. Mauer typically batted third in the lineup the past couple years, but may fit in as the second batter this season with Delmon Young taking the three spot in front of Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer. Mauer could very well lead off a pretty productive segment of the Twins' 2008 lineup.

Other 2008 projections

• Scott Baker
• Francisco Liriano
• Livan Hernandez
• Boof Bonser
• Kevin Slowey
• Philip Humber
• Nick Blackburn
• Pat Neshek
• Matt Guerrier
• Juan Rincon
• Jesse Crain
• Dennys Reyes
• Glen Perksin
• Joe Nathan