Article: Is Sano Too Big to Stay at Third?

I don't think you should move him solely because of his size. If he can provide league-average defense, he is far more valuable to our future at 3b. If/When Morneau leaves or is traded, Mauer/Doumit/Parmelee (maybe even Plouffe) should be able to hold down 1B for at least the next 5 years.

Plus, if you work like hell on his defense at third, and the conditioning needed to play 3b every day, I think it will be better for his long term career (in terms of health and baseball IQ) than just shuffling him out to catch flyballs or standing on 1b waiting for balls to get thrown at him. You can always move him later.


Don't forget, Gentleman Jim was exclusively a 3B for the first five years of his major league career, and I think we could do worse than Sano turning into the next Thome.

Pablo. Sandoval.

Sano is 19, and sure he may not be done growing, but regardless of that, let him adapt to his growing body before limiting his positional value. Given that time frame (and his aforementioned athletic ability), I really think the defense will iron itself out over time.

Also, just look at all of the offensive production/ability provided by the names above. Can Sano produce on this level? I don't see why not. It's been fun to hop online and see the numbers he has put up in his short career.

This is an interesting discussion. Wish there were internets a while back, so the similar discussion on whether Cal Ripken is too big to be a shortstop would be googleable :)

I think that he will probably end up smaller than Miguel Cabrera and definitely smaller than the Panda. Whether he grows as a fielder is more important than size. Travis Harrison (albeit a bit smaller, but equally stiff) is in the same equation and with a slew of OFs coming up, you cannot have 2 first basemen. And if Kennys Vargas hits in A+/AA this season the way he hit in A last season, there would be a third name in the equation. This is a good problem to have and I think it is just too early to tell (or even ask this question...) We shall find out in time.

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Originally Posted by Kwak

"Too big?" "Does or Doesn't" is the real real question with respect to Sano's play at 3B.

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Thank you! What's the difference in two inches? Probably not much. Weight should not matter as long as it is good weight (muscle) and as long as that bulk does not affect his mobility. Does he have acceptable range both ways? Can he read balls, charge and retreat well? Can he throw? Does he know where he needs to be and when he needs to be there? No one is ever forced to change positions because of their size. They are forced to change because they are not good enough. Sano's size does not imply any lack of ability and/or potential ability. Sano is being judged on markers. The Twins want X amount of skills developed by Y dates to be ready for the majors by Z age/year.If he falls behind on those markers he will be moved.

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Originally Posted by SockNet

Thank you! What's the difference in two inches? Probably not much. Weight should not matter as long as it is good weight (muscle) and as long as that bulk does not affect his mobility. Does he have acceptable range both ways? Can he read balls, charge and retreat well? Can he throw? Does he know where he needs to be and when he needs to be there? No one is ever forced to change positions because of their size. They are forced to change because they are not good enough. Sano's size does not imply any lack of ability and/or potential ability. Sano is being judged on markers. The Twins want X amount of skills developed by Y dates to be ready for the majors by Z age/year.If he falls behind on those markers he will be moved.

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Lot of assumptions in your post. Size does matter since the bigger you get the less agility you have. Some big guys have plenty of ability, watch the NBA those guys are huge and can move.... I doubt they could move well enough to play 3b however. It also isn't just height, he also has a frame that could bulk up. He isn't tall and skinny. We're all hoping he can figure it out, but the odds are against him since he already is a bad fielder.

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Originally Posted by Badsmerf

Lot of assumptions in your post. Size does matter since the bigger you get the less agility you have. Some big guys have plenty of ability, watch the NBA those guys are huge and can move.... I doubt they could move well enough to play 3b however. It also isn't just height, he also has a frame that could bulk up. He isn't tall and skinny. We're all hoping he can figure it out, but the odds are against him since he already is a bad fielder.

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What am I assuming? Other than the comment about height, I qualified every statement I made. You are assuming Sano's size equals less agility. You don't know that. I addressed your concerns about Sano bulking up and his agility which is finely tuned mobility. I would tend to agree NBA players couldn't play 3b because, well, they are trained to play basketball not Major League 3b(I've never liked comparing sports, difficult to defend and/or refute). Again though, that's an assumption. As for his fielding, he may be bad now but when was the last time a polished 19 year old infielder broke into the majors? The last two position players I can remember are Andruw Jones and Bryce Harper, both outfielders. I just think it's too early to be having this discussion with regards to Sano. He is at least a full year away and likely more.