Jake Mauer to take control of Minnesota Twins’ farm team Cedar Rapids - MLB News
The Minnesota Twins have decided to appoint Jake Mauer, elder brother of their catcher Joe, as the manager of their Class-A Cedar Rapids. Jake was previously manager for the Fort Myers, a Class-A Advanced affiliate with the Minnesota Twins for three years.
Jake has been around the scene for a while now and took the role of coaching in the Gulf Coast League in 2006. In 2008-09, he became the manager of the GCL Twins and was later promoted to the position of manager of the Fort Myers.
Jake is excited to manage the newly affiliated ball team. Before the Rapids, it was the Beloit who was the Class-A Affiliate with the Twins. The Rapids are located closer to the Twins and have better facilities.
Jake believes that the atmosphere will be much more intense in the Midwest League and the fact that the new team is closer to home is also not a bad thing.
"It'll be outstanding to be closer to our family, No. 1," Mauer said. "And No. 2, being in the Midwest League, will bring a great atmosphere. There are a lot of great stadiums, fans and baseball towns in the league. The Florida State League is a little quieter."
Jake was drafted by the Twins in 2001 along with his brother Joe Mauer. He could not make it to the big leagues and played in the Twins farm system for five years. He posted good numbers regularly before hanging his shoes after the 2005 season due to an
elbow injury.
He said that he talked to the farm director who inquired about his opinions about the move. After discussing the matter with some other people from the front office, Jake came to the conclusion that it was the right thing to do.
"I talked to new farm director Brad Steil, and he asked what I thought about the move," Mauer said. "After talking to him for a while and with my family, I realized it was an outstanding move. I also think after talking to a few front-office folks from the
team, it just made sense."
It was a slightly strange move because Jake was managing a Class-A Advance Fort Myers and now he has taken a step backwards by managing a Class-A team. However, Mauer says that the management of the ball club has assured him of this not being a demotion
or a sign of the ball club not being satisfied with his work. The Twins have a high regard for Jake.
One hopes that Jake will continue the good work he has done so far as a coach and manager and will move up the ranks. He could well end up being a manager at the highest level in the coming years.
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