Reusse: Sano has some growing up to do

[Craig Arko]

If Kent Hrbek would have been a man possessed in his dedication to conditioning and so forth he could have been one of the best baseball players ever. But here's the thing. That's not who Kent Hrbek ever was. If he would have tried to be that way he would have been miserable, he would have started to hate baseball and he may well have have walked away from the game before he was 25.

To some extent you have to let a player be himself in order to optimize his performance. That doesn't mean giving everyone completely free rein but there's a point of diminishing returns. If a team takes a complete hard-ass approach you'll see a lot of unhappy players, and there will never be success.

True for people in general. Perhaps especially true for those with extraordinary talents.

[Silky]

Say it ain't Sano. My thoughts, Sano is uber talented and confident. Without a doubt in my mind, there is some truth to the article - witness Molitor on the record. Is it his confidence or new distractions causing lack of focus?  Do you think there is a lack of focus?

 

Weight has been a previous concern, and it may always continue to be a concern. One thing for certain, there is blank check that hasn't been signed. Besides his desire to be great, there is a desire to get paid.

 

I see Sano being great, but will it be Greatness (HOF)?

 

 

[Dr. Evil]

He's 22. Most 22 year olds have some learning and maturing to do. A story singling this kid out is like a real reach for subject matter IMHO. On the heels of all he went through recovering from Tommy John surgery and now moving to a different position, all while 22 yrs old and younger, this article's timing and subject strikes me as a distasteful reach for a headline.

[stringer bell]

 

I agree, but Reusse is also smart enough to know how to snag readers. There may be smoke here, but the only real quote is the one from Molitor which to me looks like it could have been framed in a positive, negative or neutral light depending on how the author chose to present it.

 

The eye-test would surely suggest that Sano should cut some weight, but I'm not sure that I can quite buy into the idea that the Twins are concerned based on these comments that Reusse is feeding us.

 

Away from the validity of the article; it seems to me, the commitment of young guys perceived to be out of shape almost never comes to a head until the young guy struggles. Oswaldo Arcia appears to have made a strong effort to improve, Delmon Young never did. I suspect we won't know about Sano's dedication to physical fitness and it's impact on his job until he has significant struggles.

Delmon came to camp one year in better shape and was pretty close to an All-Star. He never approached that level of focus or commitment again with the Twins.

 

[Shane Wahl]

 

He's 22. Most 22 year olds have some learning and maturing to do. A story singling this kid out is like a real reach for subject matter IMHO. On the heels of all he went through recovering from Tommy John surgery and now moving to a different position, all while 22 yrs old and younger, this article's timing and subject strikes me as a distasteful reach for a headline.

 

Thank you! Thank you very much! I am actually shocked by the number of posts defending this atrocious article.

[TRex]

 

Was "the word" about Sano's imminent return passed to Reusse without anyone actually checking with Sano himself?  Was the "Twins official" on MLB Network misinformed or confused?  Without context and dates, it's not even clear there was any real miscommunication or confusion.  Seems like a pretty specious basis for an article.

Well, I guess there can be no argument if your assumption is that any writer would print an inflammatory article like this without doing the proper fact-checking. I guess Reusse is not long for this world, so why hold off on burning bridges.

 

I also understand that Sano did not have to be in FM during that time, but the problem is the apparent double-speak of Sano. I imagine that he just wants to make his employer happy, but don't say 'I am going to be there' if you are not. Being at spring training 2 weeks early isn't the only way to be 'grown up', just say what you mean and mean what you say (which is not easy for any 22 year old, but many prospects manage this just fine).

[KGB]

 

Thank you! Thank you very much! I am actually shocked by the number of posts defending this atrocious article.

I'm actually amazed that people are upset about someone saying Sano playing at 270 is probably too big. Most 22 year old do have some growing up and when you are potentially the future of the team, you are going to get more attention than other 22 year olds.  It not picking on him, it comes with the territory. He is not going to have the same career expectations of Kenny Vargas.

 

This article just pointed out some obvious things, not sure how anyone can disagree with them.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I wish more fans held themselves to the same standard they demand of people who hit/throw/kick a ball around a field.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I wish more fans held themselves to the same standard they demand of people who hit/throw/kick a ball around a field.

 

Or Patrick Reusses for that matter.

 

I think giving him advice on how to help him is warranted - behind closed doors and only if it's necessary.  That's what his friends, his manager, and the leaders on the team should be doing.  And that's only if there is a true problem and not just the team trying to turn Sano into the perfect player by their standards.  spinowner said it best - you sort of have to let a guy be himself if you really want to see him flourish.

[Blackjack]

 

 

 

This article just pointed out some obvious things, not sure how anyone can disagree with them.

Plus Reusse has been around forever and goes to spring training every year, I'm sure he has a few inside contacts that will feed him info, he probably knows a lot more than the writers here on TD sitting behind their keyboards.  That said, I don't know why I'm defending him, I can't stand listening to him, but he does write a few good articles. People also need to realize that the way writers get read is to write something controversial, but in this case I think there is a little smoke rising from the fire. 

[Craig Arko]

I'm holding out to hear what Sid has to say.

[KGB]

 

.  spinowner said it best - you sort of have to let a guy be himself if you really want to see him flourish.

I think everyone would agree to that to a point, but managers and front office job is push players to be better and I don't think asking someone to be in better shape is that big of a request.  Jesus Montero was just cut by Seattle, he has gone from a top 5 prospect to almost eating himself out of the league by the age of 26.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Gleeman has an excellent take on this nonsense in this week's podcast. It starts around the 37-38 minute mark.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/gleeman-the-geek-ep-241-al-central-overunder-r4552

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm actually amazed that people are upset about someone saying Sano playing at 270 is probably too big. Most 22 year old do have some growing up and when you are potentially the future of the team, you are going to get more attention than other 22 year olds.  It not picking on him, it comes with the territory. He is not going to have the same career expectations of Kenny Vargas.

 

This article just pointed out some obvious things, not sure how anyone can disagree with them.

 

It is ironic that the same people who think it is crazy for the Twins to move Sano to the outfield find it crazy for the Twins to want him to get in great shape. 

 

It's been a concern since they signed him and it remains a concern. No one is questioning his talent or his drive to be a great baseball player. There are a lot of questions about how long it can last if he doesn't get his weight in control.

 

As someone who has struggled with that for 20 years, it doesn't get easier as you get older. 

[alarp33]

 

It is ironic that the same people who think it is crazy for the Twins to move Sano to the outfield find it crazy for the Twins to want him to get in great shape. 

 

It's been a concern since they signed him and it remains a concern. No one is questioning his talent or his drive to be a great baseball player. There are a lot of questions about how long it can last if he doesn't get his weight in control.

 

As someone who has struggled with that for 20 years, it doesn't get easier as you get older. 

 

I think there's big difference, at least for me, in wanting Sano to stay in good shape, and personal petty attacks about an autograph signing, changing agencies, visiting family in his home country, etc.  

 

I haven't seen anyone say the Twins are crazy for wanting Sano to be in great shape. 

[HitInAPinch]

 

As of now his natural position is 3rd base, he has handled 3rd just fine in the minors the last 5 years and in his cup of coffee at the position for the Twins last year he looked the part.

That's where you lose me.  "As of now" is not a "natural" position.  Sano started as a shortstop and grew out of the position.  Was shortstop his natural position?  

 

As far as his play at 3rd:  he looked like a guy who could out hit most any defensive limitations he has. I'm still thinking 1st or DH are his long term future. 

[DaveW]

 

I think there's big difference, at least for me, in wanting Sano to stay in good shape, and personal petty attacks about an autograph signing, changing agencies, visiting family in his home country, etc.  

 

I haven't seen anyone say the Twins are crazy for wanting Sano to be in great shape. 

Exactly.

 

It's a bizarre, petty and stupid hit piece that serves no real purpose other than to get clicks, and I guess it worked for Reusse. The good news is that most of us can sniff out this B.S. and the Star Tribune will likely be gutted once again in the very near future. Meaning that Reusse's days as being "relevant" are coming to an end sooner rather than later.

 

[twinsnorth49]

 

I agree, but Reusse is also smart enough to know how to snag readers. There may be smoke here, but the only real quote is the one from Molitor which to me looks like it could have been framed in a positive, negative or neutral light depending on how the author chose to present it.

 

The eye-test would surely suggest that Sano should cut some weight, but I'm not sure that I can quite buy into the idea that the Twins are concerned based on these comments that Reusse is feeding us.

 

Away from the validity of the article; it seems to me, the commitment of young guys perceived to be out of shape almost never comes to a head until the young guy struggles. Oswaldo Arcia appears to have made a strong effort to improve, Delmon Young never did. I suspect we won't know about Sano's dedication to physical fitness and it's impact on his job until he has significant struggles.

This is exactly my take on the article, a bit thin on facts and anything really measurable. Reusse is simply doing his tired anti-hero routine with a high profile player and stretching for a contrarian view to elicit some page reads.

 

I also think Molitor's comments were framed a certain way to drive the reader in the direction of the narrative. The comments seemed fairly neutral to me, he could have basically been saying it's easy to get caught up in the off field distractions of being a big leaguer so remember what got you here and keep making it your priority. Which he also appears to have said Sano has done ok with, I guess if we want to hyper-analyse what he meant by "ok", then there might be something to discuss.

[Shane Wahl]

 

It is ironic that the same people who think it is crazy for the Twins to move Sano to the outfield find it crazy for the Twins to want him to get in great shape. 

 

It's been a concern since they signed him and it remains a concern. No one is questioning his talent or his drive to be a great baseball player. There are a lot of questions about how long it can last if he doesn't get his weight in control.

 

As someone who has struggled with that for 20 years, it doesn't get easier as you get older. 

 

It's not crazy to want him in great shape. It is ridiculous to whine about "maturity" with regard to a 22-year-old. And it's ridiculous for a journalist to provide headline bait for no good reason.

Again, the defense of this column is bewildering.

[alarp33]

 

Exactly.

 

It's a bizarre, petty and stupid hit piece that serves no real purpose other than to get clicks, and I guess it worked for Reusse. The good news is that most of us can sniff out this B.S. and the Star Tribune will likely be gutted once again in the very near future. Meaning that Reusse's days as being "relevant" are coming to an end sooner rather than later.

 

The sooner Reusse and Souhan leave the better.  It's a shame because the Strib has beat reporters I really like, Russo, Christenson, Miller, Lavelle, etc... but Souhan and Reusse really try to appeal to the lowest common denominator by writing these "hit pieces" that lack any sort of real substance, or effort on their parts.  

[DaveW]

 

The sooner Reusse and Souhan leave the better.  It's a shame because the Strib has beat reporters I really like, Russo, Christenson, Miller, Lavelle, etc... but Souhan and Reusse really try to appeal to the lowest common denominator by writing these "hit pieces" that lack any sort of real substance, or effort on their parts.  

Russo in particular is the best, he deserves so much better than the Strib, I hope he catches on nationally someday soon. I am a bit surprised he hasn't ended up back in NY to be honest covering the Islanders or doing more of a national role.

 

I like Lavelle and Miller a lot as well.

You are spot on with Souhan and Reusse, they are both jokes and their breed of "journalists" are going the way of the dinosaur. Sid is a joke at this stage too, but he is more harmless then anything else.

[ashbury]

but managers and front office job is push players to be better

I finally got around to watching Whiplash on video the other night. I wonder whether J. K. Simmons is available for coaching duties?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I also understand that Sano did not have to be in FM during that time, but the problem is the apparent double-speak of Sano. I imagine that he just wants to make his employer happy, but don't say 'I am going to be there' if you are not. Being at spring training 2 weeks early isn't the only way to be 'grown up', just say what you mean and mean what you say (which is not easy for any 22 year old, but many prospects manage this just fine).

It's pretty hard to accuse Sano of breaking promises or lying based on this article.  Did Sano ever definitively say "I am going to be there" and then wasn't?  Reusse doesn't say that, he writes "The word was he had gone to New York for a weekend for a well-paid autograph gig, and he would be back early the next week."  Reusse didn't hear that from Sano, and "the word was" doesn't sound like he heard anything definitive from a first-hand source.  It takes only a minimal application of the children's "telephone game" to see how these assumptions are problematic, given all we know from this article.  Molitor's quotes don't come anywhere close to saying that Sano broke promises either.

 

They might be disappointed that he didn't return, but that's not nearly the same thing of which you are accusing him.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

He's 22. Most 22 year olds have some learning and maturing to do. A story singling this kid out is like a real reach for subject matter IMHO. On the heels of all he went through recovering from Tommy John surgery and now moving to a different position, all while 22 yrs old and younger, this article's timing and subject strikes me as a distasteful reach for a headline.

Great points.  There have been multiple steps along the way where Sano could have failed the team.  He injured his elbow playing winter ball, essentially putting in overtime at third base.  By all accounts, he met all of his rehab goals after surgery, even though he gained some weight during the layoff.  He had a fantastic season upon his return, and reached MLB as at least a somewhat viable third baseman.  Even after his terrific rookie season, he went to winter league ball again, willing to play a new position as instructed by the Twins, until they pulled him out.  According to the Reusse article, he put in at least several extra weeks of work in Ft Myers this offseason too.

[KGB]

 

The sooner Reusse and Souhan leave the better.  It's a shame because the Strib has beat reporters I really like, Russo, Christenson, Miller, Lavelle, etc... but Souhan and Reusse really try to appeal to the lowest common denominator by writing these "hit pieces" that lack any sort of real substance, or effort on their parts.  

"He's going to mature with his mental approach and become an everyday force in the lineup, whether it's in right field, on an infield corner or as designated hitter.  For the Twins, it's a matter of when"

 

I can't believe Reusse riped into him with like that - he such a Sano hater.  Did people actually read this article or just the thought of him writing an article makes you upset?

[stringer bell]

After reading the article, I think it was worth writing. Sano hasn't been a testament to work ethic and reliability, but he is 22 and has been in the majors for half a season. I'm sure the Twins don't want to "lose" Sano, but they also want him to do what is best for the team (in their opinion). The comparison to Arcia is interesting, in that it took failure in the minors for Oswaldo to come to camp in top shape. Another comparison is with Buxton. In 2013, I listened in on fans asking TR questions and asked a few myself. Ryan had some cautionary things to say about Sano "he's big-he can't get any bigger" and that he needed to work on his entire game, not just hitting the ball over the fence. In contrast, Ryan was glowing in his praise for Buxton--"he was raised right" and that he worked hard and wanted to get better. Perhaps it was a cultural thing, perhaps it is the difference between the Flash and the Hulk, but I've always felt that the Twins regarded their two mega-prospects as Buxton 1A and Sano 1B.

 

On Reusse:   I've met Patrick and I have always enjoyed his writing. He is nobody's fool and just contrary enough that if everyone is praising someone, he'll point out the flaw or blind spot. He's not afraid to take shots at anyone and I think this area needs more of that, not less.

[twinsnorth49]

After reading the article, I think it was worth writing. Sano hasn't been a testament to work ethic and reliability, but he is 22 and has been in the majors for half a season. I'm sure the Twins don't want to "lose" Sano, but they also want him to do what is best for the team (in their opinion). The comparison to Arcia is interesting, in that it took failure in the minors for Oswaldo to come to camp in top shape. Another comparison is with Buxton. In 2013, I listened in on fans asking TR questions and asked a few myself. Ryan had some cautionary things to say about Sano "he's big-he can't get any bigger" and that he needed to work on his entire game, not just hitting the ball over the fence. In contrast, Ryan was glowing in his praise for Buxton--"he was raised right" and that he worked hard and wanted to get better. Perhaps it was a cultural thing, perhaps it is the difference between the Flash and the Hulk, but I've always felt that the Twins regarded their two mega-prospects as Buxton 1A and Sano 1B.

 

On Reusse: I've met Patrick and I have always enjoyed his writing. He is nobody's fool and just contrary enough that if everyone is praising someone, he'll point out the flaw or blind spot. He's not afraid to take shots at anyone and I think this area needs more of that, not less.

Two things strike me with this, one, I think Buxton just more naturally fits the mould that Ryan prefers, he's been quoted as saying things like "being raised right" and such. To me it's a bit of inherent bias to what a guy like TR values, which I'm not saying is wrong, it just happens to fit Buxton and not Sano.

 

Secondly, I have no problem with pointing put flaws or blind spots to counter blind fan worship, but if someone in Reusse's position is going to do that he should make sure there is sufficient evidence to call it such and not base it on the flimsy information he's provided in his article.

[alarp33]

 

"He's going to mature with his mental approach and become an everyday force in the lineup, whether it's in right field, on an infield corner or as designated hitter.  For the Twins, it's a matter of when"

 

I can't believe Reusse riped into him with like that - he such a Sano hater.  Did people actually read this article or just the thought of him writing an article makes you upset?

 

The evidence; 

 

I was here for 2½ weeks in early February and was at the ballpark most days to do a radio show. Sano was doing low-key drills with early arrivers for a couple of days, and then he was gone.

The word was he had gone to New York for a weekend for a well-paid autograph gig, and he would be back early the next week. He wound up going back to the Dominican Republic and stayed for two weeks, until camp was ready to open.

 

The conclusion; 

 

"He’s simply the Big Kid, until he begins to take his shot at greatness more seriously."

 

So according to Reusse, Sano does not take his shot at greatness seriously because he went to an autograph signing, and went home for 2 weeks.  

 

How in any way is that a reasonable conclusion to draw? Until there is actual evidence of this perceived lack of seriousness, like you know, struggling on the field, I will continue to file this away as trash like most of what Reusse writes. 

[DaveW]

 

 

 

So according to Reusse, Sano does not take his shot at greatness seriously because he went to an autograph signing, and went home for 2 weeks.  

 

How in any way is that a reasonable conclusion to draw? Until there is actual evidence of this perceived lack of seriousness, like you know, struggling on the field, I will continue to file this away as trash like most of what Reusse writes. 

More concerning to me is that Reusse has suggested on his radio show (according to others, you couldn't pay me to listen to him) with no basis/inclination/proof that Sano may be currently broke because he got milked out of his money by friends/family.

Not only is that inflammatory towards Sano+Family+Friends, it implies that Sano isn't smart enough to manage his money and frankly is a little bit racist. ("The guy from the D.R is probably broke because his friends and family probably took all his money")

 

When in reality, Sano probably did the autograph signing because it was a really, really good idea in order to further his brand.

Again, the Twins are paying Sano the absolute minimum this year 350k or so, which really isn't that much money at the end of the day, so if he goes and banks another 15-25k for 5 hours work (while building his brand) why on earth does that automatically mean "oh he clearly is broke". This isn't exactly Pete Rose signing baseballs in the MGM Grand in order to get enough money to go place another losing bet.

[Minniman]

As far as Sano goes, this is his opportunity to break out big in the Show. I don't have a problem with him going to see his family for a week, but he is not in the kind of shape one would like for a large outfielder.