Kubel is a hit after his arrival

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

CHICAGO -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was chatting with Twins coaches before Wednesday's game when he spotted Jason Kubel sitting on the bench and called him over.

"Man, you're good," Guillen said. "Why aren't you playing more?"

Then, while pointing toward the home dugout, Guillen said, "You can come over here!"

Kubel was coming off a three-hit outing Tuesday that included his first major-league homer. But it wasn't the first time Kubel has impressed an opponent.

Royals manager Tony Pena, before a Sept. 5 game at the Dome, gushed about Kubel to a Minneapolis reporter. And Kubel had appeared in only two major-league games at that point.

It doesn't take much to arrive at an early, and complimentary, opinion of Kubel, next in a recent line of impressive Twins hitting prospects. He's balanced at the plate, has a smooth lefthanded swing and knows there's money to be made by using the whole field.

This was on display Wednesday night in the Twins' 7-6 loss to the White Sox. Kubel singled solidly to left in the first, then hit a two-run homer to right in the sixth that gave the Twins a 6-3 lead at the time.

These are teasers from a player who batted .377 with six homers and 29 RBI in 37 games at Class AA New Britain, then a league-leading .343 at Class AAA Rochester with 17 homers and 71 RBI in 90 games.

Kubel entered the season a career .310 hitter in the minors, his swing worked over after his first year of rookie league ball in 2000.

"I had an open stance and a big, hard swing all the time," Kubel said.

He credited work with minor league hitting instructor Jim Dwyer to cut down his swing. Kubel now steps back, then forward with his right foot just before he swings, which helps him stay back.

"Now it's nice and easy and real simple," Kubel said of his swing. "We worked on it a lot."

He was anxious right after he was called up Aug. 31 and had several bad at-bats. Now that he's been in the majors a few weeks, he's relaxed and showing his talents.

"I'm starting to see the ball good and put a good swing on it," he said. "All I think about is seeing the ball and making sure I get my foot down in time to see where the ball is going."

He's been rewarded with a trip to the majors, which has him walking around with a smile on his face.

"I know it's really been a long year," Kubel said, "but it doesn't seem like it. Even if I DH, I'm fine with it, but I know they need to play other guys to keep them ready for the playoffs. It's not my time, anyway."

Think again. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire wants to get a good look at Kubel, who could land on the playoff roster if Joe Mauer (injured left knee) is unable to play. Homers in two consecutive games are helping Kubel make his case.

"We put him out there to see what he does and then see what Mauer does," Gardenhire said, "We're thinking that if Mauer comes back and does some things and starts hitting, then it would look like he would be suited for a pinch-hit role or something. Then you take Mauer and put him on [the playoff roster].

"But the kid [Kubel] has done everything you can ask from him. He's swinging very, very well. He's happy and he accepts his role."