Twins legend Joe Mauer talks Ryan Jeffers’ rise, Marlins’ use of analytics, Dodgers’ World Series three-peat chances, and more

Twins legend Joe Mauer talks Ryan Jeffers’ rise, Marlins’ use of analytics, Dodgers’ World Series three-peat chances, and more originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Legendary Minnesota Twins catcher/first baseman Joe Mauer is a believer in Ryan Jeffers’ rise, isn’t sold on analytics having a totally positive impact on the MLB, and believes the field is wide open as it pertains to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ potential World Series three-peat bid this October.

I caught up with Mauer ahead of the 2026 American Century Championship , which takes place July 8-12 in Stateline, Nevada, at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort. Mauer will be one of over 90 participants in NBC’s annual celebrity golf tournament. Here’s what the six-time All-Star, three-time AL batting champion, and 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee said about various topics -- including the current state of the game in Minnesota and elsewhere, and his 15-year career, all played for his hometown franchise: On Ryan Jeffers already being considered one of the greatest catchers in Twins history … “Ryan Jeffers, he's a great ball player.

I enjoy watching Ryan play. I've gotten to know Ryan well over the last couple of years, and he's a great guy and works hard. That's great to hear that (Jeffers is considered an all-time Twins catcher)...

“He's definitely a guy, I think, who still has a bright future. He's been around for a little bit, and I think he's still going to continue to do some really good things for not only the Twins, but for himself as well. ” On playing and living through the MLB’s shift to a more analytical game… “It definitely felt like I saw a transition for sure.