Berardino: Sano working to take on 3B

[Teflon]

There's always the Prince Fielder vegetarian diet.

[nicksaviking]

 

Come on nick.  The guy is 6'-4" and weighed 280+ pounds.  That's too much.

 

Are you sure your title is mod or is it censor? 

 

If I was going to censor you I would have hidden your post.

 

I'm not a fan of people turning their assumptions into facts. I think it's fair to say, "I THINK he looks out of shape." I think it's unfair to factually claim, "He's out of shape."

 

That basically goes for all opinions on all subjects, not just Sano's weight.

[TheLeviathan]

 

He may have strength, agility and quickness but he's out of shape at that weight.

 

By this measure, the Rock is obese and out of shape too.

[laloesch]

 

If I was going to censor you I would have hidden your post.

 

I'm not a fan of people turning their assumptions into facts. I think it's fair to say, "I THINK he looks out of shape." I think it's unfair to factually claim, "He's out of shape."

 

That basically goes for all opinions on all subjects, not just Sano's weight.

 

Did i ever say that my assumption is fact?  NO I DIDN'T.  So I'M SORRY i didn't say 'i think he looks out of shape."  Oh and by the way you could have said what you just said without making the comment you made early.  Sheesh..

[laloesch]

 

By this measure, the Rock is obese and out of shape too.

 

Is he?  The rock is a professional body builder and doesn't have a gut.

[jimmer]

Discussion is fine, it's when they turn their assumptions and into fact.

assumptions are like 80% of discussion in here. Want to shut down assumptions based on info available there wont be much discussion at all.

[Vanimal46]

Not all 270+ lb people are created equally. If I were Sano's weight, I'd look like the before photo for (insert any infomercial here)

 

Sano is built and athletic. Drink!

[ashbury]

assumptions are like 80% of discussion in here. Want to shut down assumptions based on info available there wont be much discussion at all.

Moderator's note: At this point, this tangent should be taken elsewhere, such as the Questions About MinnCentric forum, as it's becoming about moderation policy.

[Willihammer]

At the very least it seems strange that Sano would say he lost 15 pounds and is now 271, when last year at this time he was 263, according to Lavelle.

[ashbury]

The article says: Reporting to camp at 271 pounds after giving up alcohol and shedding 15 pounds, by his count,

It's not 100% clear where the alcohol angle came from, but it might be from Sano himself to the reporter, or maybe it was provided as background by a coach. For me, it's a pretty illuminating piece of information - in fact, close to a red flag. If Sano has come to a realization that liquid carbs of this type are a major factor regarding his weight, this is a potentially complex problem that will not easily go permanently away. If Sano has not embraced the view, and yet it's correct in the view of someone qualified to judge, then it's that much harder.

 

It's often been said semi-jokingly of a prospect that "only two things stand between this guy and major league stardom: a knife, and a fork." I wonder how often the actual obstacle is a bottle opener.

 

I hope the writer didn't include this tidbit just to get a rise out of people, because in that case it worked.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Its value until he gets hurt diving for a ball...

Let's hope Sano's health holds out. So far, so good, right? 

 

By the way, it was June 14, 2014 when Plouffe got injured diving for a ball.

[Lefty74]

I think everyone agrees that Sano is a very large, very strong man. He is able to carry weight that most people could not without being considered obese. I do believe he was 20+ pounds over his optimal weight last year. Just watching him run it appeared his thighs were rubbing together and he seemed to waddle. He was still very athletic and performed okay.

 

For me the concern is the message it sent. After a strong first year he came to camp overweight and it appeared he had not worked out much. Didn't practice in the outfield much prior to spring training, heads to NYC instead of working in Fort Myers, etc. That is not what I expect from a professional, especially one with the potential to become a superstar. If losing weight is an example of him committing to reach his potential then I think we are all in for a great ride. I've got my fingers crossed!

[Squirrel]

 

I think everyone agrees that Sano is a very large, very strong man. He is able to carry weight that most people could not without being considered obese. I do believe he was 20+ pounds over his optimal weight last year. Just watching him run it appeared his thighs were rubbing together and he seemed to waddle. He was still very athletic and performed okay.

For me the concern is the message it sent. After a strong first year he came to camp overweight and it appeared he had not worked out much. Didn't practice in the outfield much prior to spring training, heads to NYC instead of working in Fort Myers, etc. That is not what I expect from a professional, especially one with the potential to become a superstar. If losing weight is an example of him committing to reach his potential then I think we are all in for a great ride. I've got my fingers crossed!

I'm hopeful, too ... that he finally realized what's all at stake, that he can't do it on talent alone, and that he matured some in the process. Growing pains.

 

And for a reminder, there was this thread with an article on Sano and where he's at now and his own admissions on what he's learned. Yes, maybe he didn't lose as much weight as some thought he should, but I think his focus is now on track and that is, imo, far more important going forward. It will guide the other.

[ken]

At the very least it seems strange that Sano would say he lost 15 pounds and is now 271, when last year at this time he was 263, according to Lavelle.

But I think Reusse and Jack Morris had him at 280. But everyone thought they were crazy.

[Doomtints]

 

Sano has all the tools to stick at 3rd for awhile.  His value as a 3rd baseman is light years ahead of his value at 1st/dh

 

What are you basing these two points on? What are the '3B tools'? How is his 3B defense more valuable than his DH bat + whoever else they put at 3B instead?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Tools for position players are generally: hit for average, hit for power, fielding, arm strength, and speed

 

From what we've seen, anybody would be justified in being concerned about Sano's fielding. Otherwise, the other tools are there. Which is not to say he doesn't have flaws. He does.

[Doomtints]

 

Tools for position players are generally: hit for average, hit for power, fielding, arm strength, and speed

 

From what we've seen, anybody would be justified in being concerned about Sano's fielding. Otherwise, the other tools are there. Which is not to say he doesn't have flaws. He does.

 

As I understand it, the keys to being a great third basemen are to be fit, fast (both with quick reactions and quick feet), and smart. Right handed power hitters spray the ball that way all day long, and hit it HARD and FAST when they hit that direction.

 

Is this Sano? Didn't he fail at LF because he was lacking in all of those things that make a good third baseman?

 

3B isn't a position where you can just stand there. It's harder than LF.

[Halsey Hall]

 

As I understand it, the keys to being a great third basemen are to be fit, fast (both with quick reactions and quick feet), and smart. Right handed power hitters spray the ball that way all day long, and hit it HARD and FAST when they hit that direction.

 

Is this Sano? Didn't he fail at LF because he was lacking in all of those things that make a good third baseman?

 

3B isn't a position where you can just stand there. It's harder than LF.

And our former third baseman had none of that.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

As I understand it, the keys to being a great third basemen are to be fit, fast (both with quick reactions and quick feet), and smart. Right handed power hitters spray the ball that way all day long, and hit it HARD and FAST when they hit that direction.

 

Is this Sano? Didn't he fail at LF because he was lacking in all of those things that make a good third baseman?

 

3B isn't a position where you can just stand there. It's harder than LF.

Even by your understanding of what the tools are, it's still my opinion Sano has them. One other quick nitpick: I'm not expecting Sano to be great in the field.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

As I understand it, the keys to being a great third basemen are to be fit, fast (both with quick reactions and quick feet), and smart. Right handed power hitters spray the ball that way all day long, and hit it HARD and FAST when they hit that direction.

 

Is this Sano? Didn't he fail at LF because he was lacking in all of those things that make a good third baseman?

 

3B isn't a position where you can just stand there. It's harder than LF.

3B is harder than LF but Sano's failures in the outfield have little bearing on his ability to be an infielder.

 

Trevor Plouffe was a terrible outfielder, too. Playing guys who aren't extremely agile, lithe, and athletic out of positions tends to make them look really bad.

 

Sano has a strong, accurate arm. He comes in on the ball pretty well. Whether his reaction time and range are adequate is really the question.

[USAFChief]

As I understand it, the keys to being a great third basemen are to be fit, fast (both with quick reactions and quick feet), and smart. Right handed power hitters spray the ball that way all day long, and hit it HARD and FAST when they hit that direction.

 

Is this Sano? Didn't he fail at LF because he was lacking in all of those things that make a good third baseman?

 

3B isn't a position where you can just stand there. It's harder than LF.

You mean RF, right?

[USAFChief]

 

Sano has a strong, accurate arm. He comes in on the ball pretty well. Whether his reaction time and range are adequate is really the question.

I think the ultimate question s his hands. Fielding ground balls at a level acceptable in the big leagues is really, really hard.

[Thrylos]

 

As I understand it, the keys to being a great third basemen are to be fit, fast (both with quick reactions and quick feet), and smart. Right handed power hitters spray the ball that way all day long, and hit it HARD and FAST when they hit that direction.

 

Is this Sano? Didn't he fail at LF because he was lacking in all of those things that make a good third baseman?

 

3B isn't a position where you can just stand there. It's harder than LF.

 

Nope. He did not fail at LF.  Never played that position.  That former Twins' GM decided to play him at RF out of the blue last season.

 

Sano has been playing 3B for 6 seasons.  Had never played RF before Ryan's failed experiment last season.   Knowing a position and anticipating things helps a lot.  Tracking fly balls at the OF is tough, unless you had a couple thousand reps.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I think the ultimate question s his hands. Fielding ground balls at a level acceptable in the big leagues is really, really hard.

Another good point. His hands seem to be a problem but man, I just haven't seen enough of the guy to really make a decision yet, particularly after he was jerked around in the outfield last season.

[Han Joelo]

It's not 100% clear where the alcohol angle came from, but it might be from Sano himself to the reporter, or maybe it was provided as background by a coach. For me, it's a pretty illuminating piece of information - in fact, close to a red flag. If Sano has come to a realization that liquid carbs of this type are a major factor regarding his weight, this is a potentially complex problem that will not easily go permanently away. If Sano has not embraced the view, and yet it's correct in the view of someone qualified to judge, then it's that much harder.

 

It's often been said semi-jokingly of a prospect that "only two things stand between this guy and major league stardom: a knife, and a fork." I wonder how often the actual obstacle is a bottle opener.

 

I hope the writer didn't include this tidbit just to get a rise out of people, because in that case it worked.

[Han Joelo]

When I quit drinking a 12 pack a day, I also lost 15 pounds. I kind of honed into that tidbit as well. Quitting drinking is serious business, for some. If he drank enough to affect his weight, hard not to think it was affecting other things.

 

See CC Sabathia's article in the Playets Tribune for more on the subject.

[jimmer]

 

When I quit drinking a 12 pack a day, I also lost 15 pounds. I kind of honed into that tidbit as well. Quitting drinking is serious business, for some. If he drank enough to affect his weight, hard not to think it was affecting other things.

See CC Sabathia's article in the Playets Tribune for more on the subject.

Drinking had exactly the opposite effect on me.  When I drank regularly, I lost weight and kept it off.  Of course, it was rarely beer.  It was 70-100 proof drinks.  Of course, I was still running 3-5 miles daily.

[zchrz]

 

What are you basing these two points on? What are the '3B tools'? How is his 3B defense more valuable than his DH bat + whoever else they put at 3B instead?

 

If he can be a passable defender at 3rd, you have a 1B/ DH bat slotted in at 3rd allowing 1B and DH to be filled by similarly potent bats.  As for tools he has an absolute cannon arm and has shown passable range up the line/ in the hole, its worth every error to see if he can stick there (especially in what will be another down year)  to be able to slot his bat in a more premium defensive position. 

[gil4]

 

Berardino: Sano working to take on 3B

Pretty soon we'll see earth-shattering news that our outfielders are working on playing the outfield, catchers working on catching, pitchers working on pitching, etc., and hopefully in a little over a month they will play something that looks like baseball (as opposed to whatever it was they were doing last year.)

 

Sorry, that headline has just been begging for a snide comment for almost two days, and I finally couldn't resist.

[HitInAPinch]

Overall, I believe Sano's ability to hit a ball a long ways will resolve all 3B defensive issues....