Sano Potential

[Ncgo4]

There has been a marked improvement in Sano's performance this year. Not only is it better, it seems to be much more consistent than in his first two years. There could be a lot of reasons including that he came into camp in a little bit better shape and the fact that no one was suggesting he play in right field. Also, of course, he's in his 3rd year in the bigs. Right now he's batting for average, hitting the ball hard, demoing tons of power and hitting very well with runners in scoring position.

 

But we cosistantly hear how he cannot maintain the high batting average and that he will certainly "revert to the norm". My question is "Why?" Is there a reason to believe that super stardom is beyond this 24 year old? It's almost like everyone is afraid to speculate on the upside.

[bluechipper]

I think Sano will be a super star, but a Giancarlo Stanton type of superstar instead of Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols all-time great type. He strikes out too much to be a .300 hitter.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

There has been a marked improvement in Sano's performance this year. Not only is it better, it seems to be much more consistent than in his first two years. There could be a lot of reasons including that he came into camp in a little bit better shape and the fact that no one was suggesting he play in right field. Also, of course, he's in his 3rd year in the bigs. Right now he's batting for average, hitting the ball hard, demoing tons of power and hitting very well with runners in scoring position.

But we cosistantly hear how he cannot maintain the high batting average and that he will certainly "revert to the norm". My question is "Why?" Is there a reason to believe that super stardom is beyond this 24 year old? It's almost like everyone is afraid to speculate on the upside.

I'm all in on Sano, but that .479 BABIP he's sporting is likely to drop considerably. Not that he can't be a player who generates a high BABIP. Some do. But not that high.

[Vanimal46]

Honestly I don't care all that much about his batting average. OPS is the key stat IMO. Sano has learned from his mistakes last year by being more selective at the plate, and destroying mistake pitches. 

He's All-Star caliber already, and if MVP voters get Trout fatigue in the future, I could see him winning that award. 

[Pardon My Dinger]

Sano > Stanton. 

[Pardon My Dinger]

...by which I mean, he already is better than Stanton. And a few years younger, not yet in his prime. so I think it's almost safe to say Stanton may even be his floor.

[S.]

http://content.invisioncic.com/Mnbcroto/monthly_2017_05/Picture1.thumb.png.376341b55864dd75c6c07fc4072254ad.png

 

Saw this on another forum and figured I'd share it here. based on the URL, looks to be stats from May or updated in May for the season. Not sure on which, but regardless Sano is hitting the ball HARD. Averaging 3-4 MPH harder than the second place on the chart, who is Aaron Judge. He also is not hitting balls softly at all. His soft hit rate is sub 5%.

 

The man can mash, he's got a fricking cannon for an arm, and he's looked more than adequate with his glove at third. I'm not much for comparables, but barring injury, I think its highly likely he's one of the top power hitters in the league for an extended period of time. And I couldn't care less if he strikes out a lot. If he keeps driving in RBIs and taking walks to keep his OBP up, his average is a non factor (to a point, obviously).

[RichReese]

In addition to his improved offense and defense this year, it appears to me that Sano has become the leader of the team, providing vocal and visual support to his teammates.

[jimbo92107]

 

I think Sano will be a super star, but a Giancarlo Stanton type of superstar instead of Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols all-time great type. He strikes out too much to be a .300 hitter.

Sano is going to be a much better hitter than Stanton. Sano works the count better than most veteran sluggers do now. He also hits hard line drives (and home runs) to the opposite field, which means he is able to drive balls almost anywhere near the zone. 

 

I'm not sure what comp fits best, but Sano's plate discipline does remind me of Frank Thomas. A career like that would be very nice indeed. 

[drjim]

http://content.invisioncic.com/Mnbcroto/monthly_2017_05/Picture1.thumb.png.376341b55864dd75c6c07fc4072254ad.png

 

Saw this on another forum and figured I'd share it here. based on the URL, looks to be stats from May or updated in May for the season. Not sure on which, but regardless Sano is hitting the ball HARD. Averaging 3-4 MPH harder than the second place on the chart, who is Aaron Judge. He also is not hitting balls softly at all. His soft hit rate is sub 5%.

 

The man can mash, he's got a fricking cannon for an arm, and he's looked more than adequate with his glove at third. I'm not much for comparables, but barring injury, I think its highly likely he's one of the top power hitters in the league for an extended period of time. And I couldn't care less if he strikes out a lot. If he keeps driving in RBIs and taking walks to keep his OBP up, his average is a non factor (to a point, obviously).

I have no complaints about Sano, I'll take him as is all day. BUT, if he tightens up that k rate just a little (6-7%) while maintaining everything else, he enters another world. I think he can do it.

[snepp]

 

I have no complaints about Sano, I'll take him as is all day. BUT, if he tightens up that k rate just a little (6-7%) while maintaining everything else, he enters another world. I think he can do it.

 

The thought is certainly a pleasant one.

[FlauerPauer]

Sano is the man.  I love his attitude in the dugout.  Watching the way he reacted when Vargas hit that game tying HR the other night was awesome.  He truly seems like a team-first player and just wants what's best in order to win.

 

IF the Twins make the playoffs, and Sano continues the production he is, I honestly cannot see how he doesn't win MVP.  Sure Trout is going to have great stats, but if his team is bad, how is he the Most Valuable Player?  In my opinion, value equates to wins.

[goulik]

HOF career is the potential I see. He has the tools and the drive. If he stays healthy and focused, that is his ceiling.

[bluechipper]

 

Sano is going to be a much better hitter than Stanton. Sano works the count better than most veteran sluggers do now. He also hits hard line drives (and home runs) to the opposite field, which means he is able to drive balls almost anywhere near the zone. 

 

I'm not sure what comp fits best, but Sano's plate discipline does remind me of Frank Thomas. A career like that would be very nice indeed. 

I agree that Sano has a very good chance to be better than Stanton, but let's not devalue Stanton. He put up a .969 OPS with 37 HRs as a 22 year old. Injuries are what have slowed him down.

[Linus]

I think he has lots of charisma. Reminds me of Puck-definitely has the makings of a team leader.

[ALessKosherScott]

Sano's potential? Thome-esq.