| Twins
prospect, Jason Kubel, was born on May 25, 1982
in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. He grew up in
Palmdale, California where he attended Highland
High School. He loved the Dodgers, Angels and
Padres while idolizing stars such as Rickey Henderson,
Ken Griffey Jr. and Jim Thome. He played football
as a high school freshman, but his devotion to
baseball quickly made him a one-sport athlete.
He was offered a baseball scholarship to Division
I Long Beach but decided to turn pro after the
Twins made him their 12th-round pick in the 2000
draft.
Jason is a promising outfielder
for the Minnesota Twins organization. His ability
to hit for average while maintaining plate discipline
could make him a middle of the order type of hitter.
He is also well known for his strong arm, typically
from right field.
In 2004, Jason started with AA New
Britain. The battle plan was to take him on a
boat ride through the minors, giving him adequate
seasoning along the way. "We like our players
to experience success at one level before we jump
to another," says Jim Rantz, the Twins' longtime
farm director.
Jason’s strong numbers
could not be ignored. He was leading the Eastern
League, batting .377 in 37 games when he was promoted
to Rochester. Through August 2004, he was hitting
a combined .358 with 35 doubles, 4 triples, 15
home runs and 77 RBI in 100 games. No speed demon,
Jason still managed to steal 10 bases in his first
73 games with Rochester. He led the league in
batting and was named League Rookie of the Year.
He is fundamentally sound and has
a great work ethic. He is also regarded as a calm
modest guy by his teammates. "He really doesn't
get too excited about anything," says Justin
Morneau, (See Justin in FAB50 "Ones To Watch")
a teammate in Rochester and now the Twins' first
baseman. Jason speaks softly but carries a big
stick. A .310 career hitter entering this year,
he has been an All-Star in each of his first four
seasons.
With Rochester AAA, he went on a
10-game hitting streak and was hitting .337 with
29 RBI in his first 35 games. During one stretch,
he went 53 at-bats between strikeouts. "I
know the pitchers here [AAA] are better and they
throw harder. When they throw strikes, I swing."
And he rarely misses. He entered the season with
125 strikeouts in 1,046 at-bats.
Jason is well aware of the Twins'
crowded outfield, "It's a very crowded situation,"
he says. "I just want to do my job, and hopefully
I'll get a shot someday." Things can change
fast when a super prospect hits the scene. Ask
Doug Mientkiewicz. He was the entrenched Twins
first baseman, until Morneau sent him packing
to the Boston Red Sox.
Although not flashy, he has a very
strong arm and he's got great eye-hand quickness
and tremendous strength in his hands. What he
can do is technically impressive, made more so
by his maturity and his authority on the field.
Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2005 season
recovering from surgery to repair torn anterior
and posterior ligaments in his left knee.
Jason is an outstanding prospect
as a run-producing outfielder. He should have
every opportunity to win a starting spot as the
Twins' right fielder in spring. Minnesota really
needs his extra-base pop. If he can stay healthy,
expect him to compete for the right field or DH
spot for the Twins in 2006.
| 
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