Article: Where Will Miguel Sano Play?

[Badsmerf]

It depends a lot on how 2015 goes for Plouffe. If he can play at least as well as 2014 I doubt he is moving off 3b. Sano is going to spend a lot of time in the minors this season. When there is an injury he will likely come up, then go down again when the player comes back. He should be playing LF, RF, 1B along with 3B. 

 

It should be pretty obvious he isn't going to stay at 3B. He would already be considered a "bad" fielder, his increasing size is only going to make that worse. You're all kidding yourselves. At 21 he is 260, you really think by 25 he is going to even stay at 260? Especially when he's quoted as saying he eats whatever he wants? Come on!

 

There is also another huge issue in this discussion: Mauer. The big contract, the lack of production, and the need to find a spot for Sano's bat. I'm not hating on Mauer, but he needs to be in jeopardy of losing 1B as much as Plouffe does. Again, 2015 will be important for him to prove he owns it.

 

Whatever happens in the next few years, I highly doubt we'll be seeing Sano at 3b in 2020.  

[rghrbek]

Paging Torii Hunter

What is Torii Hunter going to do?  Throw a punch at him?  I think people are over estimating the effect Torii can have on this team, and will be disappointed when he isn't the clubhouse fix it all guy.

[BrianTrottier]

Sorry if this was brought up in an earlier comment, but one thing to remember is that with Sano's arm he can afford to play back a bit, giving himself a little more time to react and get to balls. That could help lessen any negative impacts that could come from some lack of athleticism required to play third.

[Steve Lein]

Plouffe in the OF ala Cuddyer seems like the 2nd best course to me with all these guys. The first being, you trade somebody.

 

Which sucks because I like all those guys and want them to make up the team of the future. So the weakest link among them by the time that team comes together will have to be gone to make it work, and that link might not even be 'weak'.

 

But if we're talking 2016-2018 for that team, that link is just as likely to be Joe Mauer at that point as any of these young guys.

[Willihammer]

What is Torii Hunter going to do?  Throw a punch at him?  I think people are over estimating the effect Torii can have on this team, and will be disappointed when he isn't the clubhouse fix it all guy.

I won't be disappointed, because my expectations are low. As Common says, high aspirations, low expectations. It just seems like a ripe opoprtunity IMO for the 20 year pro to, I dunno, take the talented fat kid out to lunch. Show him how to eat on the road and not put on weight. Staying in shape after his body slows down seems like something that Torii has figured out.

[jay]

Who projects to be less a future defensive liability, Vargas as the future first baseman or Arcia as the future LF? If Mauer hits, Arcia or Vargas might need to be exchanged for a pitcher at some point.

 

What happened to the DH spot?

[Captain Nifty]

Sano will control how this goes more than anyone else because he's by far the most talented player. If he doesn't show the dedication to conditioning and defense that the Twins want to see history indicates they'll just keep in in the minors until he cleans those issues up. He's shown in the past that he's nimble and athletic enough to handle the hot corner so every effort should be put into keeping him there. He's got a valuable if underrated player occupying his position on the big league club so there's no rush. 

[Mike Sixel]

Funny, I thought this would be about AA vs AAA.......

 

I think he's a 3B until he proves he's not. Plouffe will either be traded, or moved to the OF. But, I've been wrong before.

[Parker Hageman]

I mean, he certainly moves well for a big guy:

 

https://vine.co/v/hOIdXahbuPu

[strumdatjaguar]

With his big-time arm, Sano should be at 3B or RF.  It's up to him to keep his weight under control in order to have the speed and agility to play those positions.

[mikelink45]

It is time to pull the - if you want to be in the majors card = lose weight.  Nice adolescence food attitude, but if this is a hurdle - address it.  He might not like it, but the big checks in the majors are ahead and he will know it.

 

Let's face the fact that he will not be Brooks Robinson, but then Harmon Killebrew is HOF and a long way from Brooks too.  

 

Let's hope there is enough to push a trade where we use strength and quality to get a good return.  Plouffe should have good value now - as he ages that value goes down.  

[nytwinsfan]

I mean, he certainly moves well for a big guy:

 

https://vine.co/v/hOIdXahbuPu

 

That looks pretty good, but it was also 18 months, 15-20 pounds, and 1 elbow ago.

[Parker Hageman]

That looks pretty good, but it was also 18 months, 15-20 pounds, and 1 elbow ago.

 

 

Of all those numbers, only the last one really applies. 

[ND-Fan]

From the pictures of Sano he does not look like he's over weight and I believe he's big strong kid. The Twins are going to make some tough decisions in near future and its going to be hard find playing time for a lot of these prospects. Plouffe is developing into very good third baseman and major league baseball analysts will start giving him his recognition if he has another good season this year. Its hard for players like Plouffe to get recognition right way coming from small market team. You watch here now Mauer is going to have better numbers at first base and its because of Sano and Vargas pushing to get playing time. I would think that Sano could also could be developed into corner outfielder if push comes to find him spot in line up. Arcia is going to have bring his numbers up if he wants playing time because of talent coming up he's got to cut down on his strikeouts and give better at bats. The Twins are going to have decide what players they are going to keep and who they are going to trade. Plouffe is in this category if he continues to develop will they trade him or sign him long term. if he continues and develops into one of top 10 third baseman in Major leagues which I think he could. Also Sano may be like Greg Nettles was to the Twins they thought he was to big and not good enough to play third base and traded him see how that turned out for the Twins. Its hard to know how person is going to play a position until they have played it for awhile and especially third with requirements for hitting and fielding for that position. But like I say the Twins are going to have some very tough decisions in near future because of prospects coming up and some of the players that are young making their spot with the Twins of who keep and who move improve themselves in other areas or get another prospect to help them in the future. Its going to take front office with ability to find highest quality diamond out of many diamonds they posses now and how to get future diamonds out these present diamonds.

[Shane Wahl]

The Twins must not give up on Sano at third at all right now. At all. I cannot stress the importance of this. There should be zero time defensively anywhere else right now. His value at that position could be Hall of Famer quality. That's the actual ceiling here. The floor could be a slugging DH who makes a few All-Star games.

[Platoon]

The Twins must not give up on Sano at third at all right now. At all. I cannot stress the importance of this. There should be zero time defensively anywhere else right now. His value at that position could be Hall of Famer quality. That's the actual ceiling here. The floor could be a slugging DH who makes a few All-Star games.

. Well said! Thank you!

[DJL44]

We just can't have an outfield with Arcia and Sano.

 

Then Arcia gets the boot. Sano would be fine in RF.

[Shane Wahl]

. Well said! Thank you!

 

Thank you!

 

This whole thing again illustrates something about many Twins fans (not talking about Nick here) . . . ooh a home run monster hitter *but* maybe he strikes out too much or can't play average defense at a medium-defensive position . . . oooh, worry, worry, worry.

 

My suggestion: shut up and watch the homers fly over your head.

 

I am sure that Plouffe will be traded somewhat soon (deadline or offseason). I see no other real option. Even if Sano doesn't last as a third baseman, he is going to be there as much as possible through Mauer's contract.

 

 

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

A few exact height and weight NFL athletic freak comps, for athletic comparison. Figured bringing in a little football makes sense since we can see easier what one can do athletically on the FB field. 

 

#40-  Brian Orakpo
Outside Linebacker, Washington Redskins
6'4, 260 lbs.
Feat of Strength/Workout: 31 reps of 225 lb. bench press, 515 lb. bench press, 380 lb. power-clean, 4.63 sec. 40 time, 39.5" vertical leap

 

#35-  Connor Barwin
Outside Linebacker, Houston Texans
6'4, 260 lbs.
Feat of Strength/Workout: 40.5" vertical leap

 

............

 

On the other hand, James Winston was rumored to be out of shape, and was 6'4'' and 231 at the combine, but was probably heavier leading up to it. That is 30 pounds lighter and was considered out of shape.

 

Several NFL players with similar heights and weights playing TE, FB, DE, ILB, and OLB. I know Sano doesn't play in the NFL, but just trying to give an easy comp to look at what guys that size are capable of. 

 

6'4'' and 260 could be a freak OLB or TE, or 6'4'' and 260 could be the catcher on your beer league softball team who always gets a pinch runner. 

 

 

It could be this guy......

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x83/ryanf1990/21fz2.jpg?t=1192966861

 

 

or.....

 

it can be this guy.....

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z35/morningbake34/week33.jpg

[Shane Wahl]

Also, aside from the "I eat everything" anecdote, everything we actually here about Sano is that he really is a hard-worker and a very coachable player. Plouffe needed defensive coaching and has less overall athleticism as Sano. I think Sano can be fine.

[jimmer]

Thank you!

 

This whole thing again illustrates something about many Twins fans (not talking about Nick here) . . . ooh a home run monster hitter *but* maybe he strikes out too much or can't play average defense at a medium-defensive position . . . oooh, worry, worry, worry.

 

My suggestion: shut up and watch the homers fly over your head.

 

 

I think people enjoy the game in different ways.  Maybe some like watching good-great defense.  Maybe some think defense is much more important than some others think. Maybe some prefer baseball players who can play both quality offense and defense. 

 

Perhaps you just care about the home runs.  That's fine.  Telling people to shut up because you believe he will do the part you care about seems, um, intolerant.

 

And I would hope the Twins would be smart enough to keep a quality player like Plouffe, but never know.  I don't think he gets trade this season.

Edited March 4, 2015 by jimmer

[Nick Nelson]

Good comments. Just want to clarify 2 things:

 

1) I'm not saying Sano is "fat." He's just big. It's hard to move around and maintain mobility when you're that size, especially if he's not done growing.

 

2) Many of you may be OK with substandard defense from Sano at third, considering how much his value is boosted over all by staying there. I might be, personally. But are the Twins? This is a team that has emphasized the importance of fielding as much as any in the league. So that's really the pertinent question.

[tobi0040]

 Many of you may be OK with substandard defense from Sano at third, considering how much his value is boosted over all by staying there. I might be, personally. But are the Twins? This is a team that has emphasized the importance of fielding as much as any in the league. So that's really the pertinent question.

 

And Molitor was a guy known for fundamentals and footwork.  BRef has his range factor at third with six top five finishes in the ALfrom 82 to 89.  His initial assessment of Sano has not been good.  This could be a guy whose tolerance is a little lower.

 

Range Factor/Game as 3B s

1982 AL  3.12 (3rd)

1983 AL  3.07 (5th)

1985 AL  2.88 (5th)

1986 AL  2.77 (2nd)

1988 AL  2.60 (5th)

1989 AL  2.87 (3rd)

 

I wish the Twins just threw out personal preferences and they asked Jack Goin and a third party to run an analysis.  How many balls at 3B do you think Plouffe will get to that Sano won't?  How many additional errors will Sano make?  How many of those runners will score. 

 

Then quantify the difference in their offenses.  

[Willihammer]

He seems about the same size as Scott Rolen to me.

 

He's not too big. He will have to work to keep weight off, but he's got enough athleticism and agility to play third.

IIRC Rolen had exceptional hands. Can we say the same about Sano?

 

Wait did I just a question about a minor leaguers defense? I'll walk myself out.

[Eephus]

What happened to the DH spot?

 

 

Right. Mainly I see a possible scenario where Arcia and Vargas would best fit as DHs and that might be one DH too many.

[TheLeviathan]

2) Many of you may be OK with substandard defense from Sano at third, considering how much his value is boosted over all by staying there. I might be, personally. But are the Twins? This is a team that has emphasized the importance of fielding as much as any in the league. So that's really the pertinent question.

 

Have you seen what we plan to do in the outfield this year?  I honestly think that emphasis may be a thing of the past.

[Kwak]

The 3B job is Plouffe's to lose.  The Twins will closely evalute Plouffe's performance (more than Sano's), nd if they like it--they will offer Plouffe a long-term (5-6 yr) deal.  Of course, maybe Plouffe has been offered a deal (doubt it) and refused.  And he might refuse an offer from the Twins (again?)--always a possibility.  My best guess:  Plouffe s offered a deal and accepts it, and Sao is developed to play elsewhere (probably OF).

[Thrylos]

Kinda love the "too big"/"too small" stuff.  I bet there were a whole bunch of people who thought that Kirby was too big and too small at the same time to play Centerfield.  Definitely people thought that Carl Ripken Junior was too big for SS.  They make Sano sound like Panda or Fielder.  And he is not that.   And if Panda (who looks like Newmie post playing years) can play third more than respectably, Sano can too.   And the Twins had a hockey goalie and a Butcher and a Lamb play third when they were "contending". 

 

I just hope that Twins' fans see more of Sano this Spring Training and realize that he is a pretty darn alright third baseman.  Very soft hands and very good moves to both his sides.  Did have problems with the legwork during bunts when was beginning to make the transitions from SS, but everyone who does that transition has that problem.

 

Where should Sano play?  If his elbow is 100% he should be the Twins starting third baseman.  No doubt about it.  Where will Sano play?  Start at Chatanooga for political reasons that will come with the usual bag of excuses.

[Lefty]

I don't care what he weighs, I don't hear a lot of concerns about Big Papi or Miguel Cabrera.  If he hits 30-40 home runs and drives in 100 runs, I could care less if he's 350.  Maybe he'd be more suited at first base if he gets too big for third, thats just the ways it's done now days.  Ask Pujols.  Tell Mauer to out produce these guys or get his outfield glove loosened up.  We can't afford to look past production like these guys could have.  If they don't produce, then obviously Mauer will stay.

 

Vargas and Sano could be HUGE run producers somewhere along the line.  If they can't be moved, move someone else.  

[kab21]

I think people will be saying different things about Sano's defense when they actually see him playing in MLB games.  And I think it will be an overreaction at that point but I completely expect the analysis to change.

 

Sano doesn't lose much value by moving off of 3B.  He has huge potential due to his bat at any position.  Playing a bad 3B isn't the boost to make him an all-star level player.