Article: Ready Or Not Here Comes Sano

[Parker Hageman]

Ready or not Miguel Sano will be back in a Twins uniform in Boston.

 

After being sent to the furthest reaches of the farm system to recondition and rebuild, Sano has returned and brings with him, according to sources, fewer el bees on his midsection. The larger question is while he may be lighter, has he resolved his issues at the plate?

 

Has Sano figured things out or will the second-half of his season be just another sequel that nobody wants to watch?Rochester sources say that after he arrived following time at the team’s facilities in Fort Myers where his diet and exercised were carefully monitored, Sano was reportedly down fifteen pounds from his spring camp weight, which was rumored to be near 293.

 

That is not an insignificant amount of weight to shuck over a month. Compare Sano’s most recent in Rochester (left) with his rehab stint at the beginning of the year (right).

 

 

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While losing weight was one goal of his demotion, improving his swing was another important aspect. Observers and coaches say he’s moving much better than he did in his first rehab stint with the Red Wings, both in the field and at the plate, however, over his stretch with the Miracle and Rochester, Sano posted a 283/406/434 line with 2 home runs in 64 plate appearances. A fine but not otherworldly run through high-A and AAA pitching.

 

As pointed out prior to his demotion, Sano had a large hole in his swing, namely on the inner-third of the plate. It is difficult to ascertain whether this was addressed. In one highlight from Rochester, Sano loops a ball thrown on the inner-half into right field for an RBI single. What we should take away is that Sano’s hands stay closer to his body, allowing him to go the other way.

 

It’s not a well struck ball by any means and you could argue that a big man like Sano should be pulverizing that ball to the pull side but this is progress considering how he was performing previously.

 

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Sano also posted an 11-to-19 walk-to-strikeout ratio, perhaps indicating a willingness to take more pitches instead of chasing the 2-strike slider over the outside edge.

 

It’s difficult to say whether or not Sano is ready for primetime. He didn’t necessarily tear the cover off the ball and force the team’s hand. The decision to move Eduardo Escobar prompted his return, rest or not.

 

He may not be beloved on the clubhouse as Escobar was but, when healthy, his presence in the lineup every day gives the Twins a legitimate threat to change the game at a moments notice. As manager Paul Molitor once observed “he’s in scoring position standing in the batter’s box.”

 

The Twins could use some of that thump in the heart of the order again.

 

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[mikelink45]

Let's hope!  He went with a good attitude and lots of pounds, now he is back with a good attitude and fewer pounds.  I look forward to progress.  At least he is on the field while out other prospect is in the minors and on and off the DL.  I want them both back and producing so I can have hope for 2019. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The front office appears to have pulled a 180-degree reversal. Not too many days ago we were led to believe that there was no timetable, and Sano's own actions and performance would dictate when he was ready to return, because it was too important not to get this right. But this call up coincides with simply needing an infielder.

[strumdatjaguar]

This is a big offseason.  Hopefully, Sano learned a few things during his "trip to the woodshed!"

[rdehring]

In a perfect world, Sano would have stayed in Rochester for several weeks/months.  Or until he really started mashing the ball.  But, we don't live in a perfect world.

 

I hope that Sano can make noticeable progress the remainder of this season, then work hard over the winter so that he has an excellent spring training and really brings it come opening day.  I really want him to be playing at the top of his game next summer so the Twins can trade him for a boatload of value.  He just has too many question marks to be part of my team...long-term.

 

The bigger question is who plays third when Sano needs a day off or DH's?  I imagine it is Adrianza.  But what if Dozier is also traded?  Could we actually see Rosario playing some third base?  Made one of the better plays I have seen in a long time last night.

[Dave The Dastardly]

"Sano had a large hole in his swing, namely on the inner-third of the plate."

 

Is it a donut-hole?

 

15 pounds for a 300 lb man. That's what? 5% of his body weight? Could've knocked that much off just by cutting back on beer. Not impressed. My wife can knock off 5% of her weight in a week's time just by eating salads. And she goes around 118 pounds soaking wet with a... swimsuit on.

[shimrod]

I'd also anticipated seeing better production from Sano at AAA before he returned to the bigs. This could have been Gordon's opportunity as well, but based on his numbers he's not ready. 

[KirbyDome89]

Much more concerned with approach/swing than the lbs...

 

SSS and all, the 1-10 isn't encouraging but the K/BB ratio is. I wanted to see him back asap but I was hoping it was because he hit his way back onto the active roster. 

[Foghorn Leghorn]

Very encouraged by the weight loss. He will find his swing again.

[jorgenswest]

At the end of the season it will be interesting to see any shifts in the swing level data as well as the strike out walk data. Until then I am disregarding any partial stats and listening closely to anything Parker has to contribute in his video studies. Thanks Parker.

[Jerr]

He was "rushed" back and that concerns me. i was hoping to see more production as he worked his ways back to MLB. 

I hope he learned something and will finally shine, as we all thought he would.

 

[yarnivek1972]

The first 15 pounds come off easy for pretty much everyone. Beyond that is where hard work and discipline come in to play.

[adorduan]

It seems pretty clear this wasn't based on merit, but on need.  Not the most ringing endorsement for the front office's planning.

[Don Walcott]

Sano is a natural. He should be fine. I’m happy to see him back.

[wabene]

Hopefully he's got his legs back under him then that talent can go to work.

[adorduan]

Haha, Milb.com's Rochester page has Sano listed at 260..........

[Fritzderkat]

God hep us.

Every one.

[nater79a]

 

"Sano had a large hole in his swing, namely on the inner-third of the plate."

 

Is it a donut-hole?

 

15 pounds for a 300 lb man. That's what? 5% of his body weight? Could've knocked that much off just by cutting back on beer. Not impressed. My wife can knock off 5% of her weight in a week's time just by eating salads. And she goes around 118 pounds soaking wet with a... swimsuit on.

 

I'd like to see another 30 lbs off of Sano by spring training.  250 would be about right.

[h2oface]

And 3 Ks in 4 ABs in the first game of his return. Ouch. At least he was swinging at strikes.... just missing them.

[David HK]

Not, methinks.

 

If not for trades, I reckon, he'd still be down there workin'.  

 

As he should.

[launchingthrees]

 

"Sano had a large hole in his swing, namely on the inner-third of the plate."

 

Is it a donut-hole?

 

15 pounds for a 300 lb man. That's what? 5% of his body weight? Could've knocked that much off just by cutting back on beer. Not impressed. My wife can knock off 5% of her weight in a week's time just by eating salads. And she goes around 118 pounds soaking wet with a... swimsuit on.

 

If Sano was 25% bodyfat when he was sent down(certainly on the high end) and lost 15 pounds of fat, then he lost 20% of the fat on his body. The idea that people can drop 15 pounds by eating salads doesn't ring true.Water weight tends to make up around 2 or 3 pounds of weight loss. He looks as slim as I've seen him in 2018 or 2017. Hopefully he finds his way.

Edited July 29, 2018 by launchingthrees

[akmanak]

The Twins brought him up to early like they tend to do with the majority of their young players. He looked like garbage with his at bats and should of stayed in the minors for another month or so, but hey it is like a trade right?

[gman]

Not looking good so far. But they have 50 games or so to work on regaining his swing at the major lague level. This would give them a better determination of offseason needs.

[adorduan]

First K today was classic Sano, swinging at a slider down and away......

[adorduan]

I wonder if any reporters will have the balls to ask the front office about Sano coming back because of the trade.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Welcome back Miguel. I wish you well. Now it is up to you.

[Ultima Ratio]

Looks a little over ripe, if you ask me.