Sanó improved?

[stringer bell]

I took a quick look at Sanó’s numbers since his recall. I don’t believe there is much that indicates he is “fixed” as a hitter. He does look trimmer and is running better, but for every nice play he makes in the field, I see him not making a play that can/should be made. Does someone see something I’m not seeing?

[gunnarthor]

I'm not sure there is much - he's walking a decent amount, I guess. But the strike outs are high, the babip is low. Power is there but it's actually on the low side from what I expect from him. Bluntly, he's just got to play better. Put him out there every day, give him a strong offseason plan and a better coaching staff for next year.

[Vanimal46]

He looks better physically. The bat has a long ways to go still. Teams are going to keep telling their pitchers to throw sliders outside of the plate. It's up to him to adjust and not check swing at it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Agreed. It led me to ponder, in the Mauer/Buxton thread, if we shouldn't acquire another Plan A and option Sano to the minors to begin 2019.

[Reider]

Agreed with what's been already said. He looks better physically, has made some good plays at 3rd, his strong arm is great, but overall, he needs to get better, especially offensively. I've always seen a lot of potential in him and it would have been great if he was further along in his development, but he's still a work in progress. I just hope the Twins don't give up on him too early, like they did with David Ortiz.

[nicksaviking]

Some of this stuff might need an offseason or spring training to get back on track.

 

But if he actually does have a handle on his health and fitness, I'm more than willing to give him a longer leash because that was always the area where it was hard to tell if it would ever click.

[yarnivek1972]

Some of this stuff might need an offseason or spring training to get back on track.

 

But if he actually does have a handle on his health and fitness, I'm more than willing to give him a longer leash because that was always the area where it was hard to tell if it would ever click.

See now I’m in the exact opposite corner. Show me results on the field and a guy could weigh 500 pounds for all I care. Of course, a guy in good physical condition is more likely to do well.

[gunnarthor]

 

See now I’m in the exact opposite corner. Show me results on the field and a guy could weigh 500 pounds for all I care. Of course, a guy in good physical condition is more likely to do well.

Well, he was an all-star last year so I think he has shown that he can excel at the ML level. I don't think he needs AAA time. 

[lecroy24fan]

I haven't seen him miss any plays he should make. An error here and there sure but his defense is fine.

[jimbo92107]

I'm just hoping to see Sano looking physically healthy at the end of the season. He does look good in the field, moving and throwing well. Story at the plate is not so good. I think further weight loss is called for. Sano should trim down to no more than 240. At that weight, he should be a perennial All Star candidate. 

[Dantes929]

I see him trying to pull the ball still and pulling off the ball as a result making him vulnerable to the outside breaking stuff.   I think he is working on it but it is just a tough habit to break.  Seems like most of his homers since the callup have been to center or right field.    Cut down on the swing and try to hit the ball up the middle.   Not saying he shouldn't pull the ball.   That will take care of itself.   Almost every power pull hitter including Oriiz stepped toward the pitcher.     Cutting down on the swing is tough to do.   I've been working on doing that in golf for years.

[Number3]

The fact that he was an All Star and has since regressed is not good. Plus, weight loss or not, he has been injury prone and probably still is. Let him play the season out, see what he is willing to do during the off season, and if he doesn't tear the cover off the ball next spring he is probably done. When the games start counting next year he either should be ready for prime time or not on the ML roster. His real position should be first base anyway and that is where he should spend the off season and spring.

[Loosey]

I think a reset for the entire organization will be good.  This season, similar to 2016 was a complete disappointment.  I think a few months away to reflect and actually take the time to figure out what went wrong will help.  

 

Sano can continue to work on health and fitness and regroup from a hitting perspective.  Video and drills to learn to lay off the outside breaking stuff would do him wonders.