At least in one respect.
Interesting end-of-season comments about #1 pick Max Sapp from Tri-City manager Gregg Langbehn, who saw Mauer in his first year of pro ball back in 2001:
“(Sapp’s) swing is very similar to Joe Mauer who was just starting out his career,” Langbehn said.
Of course, the reality check would be to note here that Mauer hit .400/.492/.491 that first year while Sapp this season hit .229/.317/.301 (though Mauer put up his numbers in the lower-level Appy League).
Other Langbehn comments about Sapp:
“Max is well beyond his years and is only going to get better as a hitter. It takes time to develop.”
“Sometimes he is patient to a fault. Earlier this year, he was in fastball counts and not swinging.”