FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Everyone knows that Jonathan Papelbon features one of the most powerful fastballs in baseball. But there are those – foremost Papelbon – who insist that he is nearly as powerful with a bat in his hands.

“I’ve got mad power, bro,” Papelbon said. “I (expletive) raked, dude. … I’m being dead serious.”

Papelbon, after all, was recruited to Mississippi State as a first baseman. The Red Sox closer estimated that he pitched in no more than “a couple games” in high school (though it is worth noting that one of them was a no-hitter). When he went to college, he simply wanted to play baseball in any capacity that would permit him a path to the majors, whether slugging as a first baseman or pitching.

Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm can offer eye-witness testimony to Papelbon’s power. The two were teammates at Mississippi State, where Maholm was regarded as one of the top pitchers in the country while Papelbon was considered still raw. (Maholm was drafted by Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2003 draft; the Sox did not select Papelbon until the fourth round.)

Though Papelbon embraced closing almost immediately after being converted to the mound while red-shirted at MSU, he did not leave behind his visions of slugging. Earlier this spring, Maholm recalled his carefree teammate’s insistence on taking batting practice prior to a game against the University of South Carolina in their junior year.

“He was hitting them onto the softball field behind the fence,” said Maholm. “He’s got pop.”

Papelbon confirmed that he is a show-stopper during batting practice. He last took some hacks while in Double-A in 2005, when he said that, with Sea Dogs manager Todd Claus on the hill, Papelbon took five swings and drove four balls out of the park. But he insists that his power translates just as easily to game situations.

“Here’s a good example,” said Papelbon. “In high school, in a District championship game, I played against Brett Myers (who would be taken by the Phillies that summer in the first round). I took him deep.”

The Red Sox closer would welcome the opportunity to take his hacks in the majors. He said that he has quietly campaigned with Terry Francona to hit in a game, but that the Boston manager has remained steadfast in his refusal to let the pitcher do so.

“I don’t think,” said Papelbon, “(Francona) realizes just the raw ability that I have at the plate.”

Francona and the rest of the world almost had the opportunity to learn in Houston last year. Against the Astros last June 27, Papelbon had been brought in as part of a double switch (replacing Julio Lugo) with a runner on first and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Sox leading 4-1. Papelbon struck out Lance Berkman.

Yet Papelbon, the eighth scheduled batter of the inning, nearly got his shot. The Sox plated a pair of runs while recording just one out, and Papelbon went into the on-deck circle as Jason Varitek came to the plate. But the catcher hit into a 4-6-3 double play, and so Sox manager Terry Francona was likely spared a heart attack.

“I think I was only allowed to swing if it got to two strikes or something,” said Papelbon. “It was stupid.”

Maholm begs to differ.

“If you throw a real pitch up there, I don’t think he’s going to do very much,” said the Pirates’ likely Opening Day starter. “Great batting practice hitter, though.”

Though reserved about his former teammate’s batting skills, Maholm has taken great pleasure in watching Papelbon flourish in the game-ending role that he occupied in college. The Pirates southpaw marveled at how dominant the Red Sox closer has become in the majors, suggesting that Papelbon’s overpowering stuff, particularly his fastball, is “nothing like” it was in college.

Maholm said that Papelbon threw an “easy 93” miles per hour fastball in college, but that once in professional ball, he achieved extra velocity that has been a difference maker. That being the case, Maholm suggested that Papelbon’s power is probably best expressed in his current line of work.

“For me, he’s perfect for (closing),” said Maholm. “He has no clue what he’s getting himself into. That’s how he is. His personality fits perfect. He was like that in college. Definitely laid back, nothing ever got to him, he took off once he got to the minors. It’s been awesome to watch.”