How I Would Fix Miguel Sano (My View From My Couch)

[thetuse]

Boy, is he struggling at the plate! Man, can he crush it! That’s eight strike outs in his past 10 at-bats.

 

These are often some of the sentences I see when I scour the Twitterverse world we love in.

 

The question is: What is wrong with Miguel Sano, the struggling slugging first baseman of the Minnesota Twins?

 

My simple solution?

 

Switch bats.

Ok. Who am I and what the heck do I know?

 

In order for me to answer this, I have to give you my background.

 

Here I am - 57-years-old. 5’9” and a body frame that would make Bartolo Colon blush. Ok, not THAT bad, but still!

 

I will preface that I played JV baseball at Winona State University for three years. Why only junior varsity? Because, for those of you baseball fans of my generation, you might have been a Cheers TV show fan, whose lead character was Sam  “Mayday: Malone - a former Boston Red Sox pitcher, who drank himself out of baseball. I almost drank myself out of college. I went from Academic Probation to better grades to eligibility to not having enough credits to better grades and eligibility.
 

Our head coach was Gary Grob, who resides not only the WSU Hall of Fame, but he is also in the NAIA, NSIC conference and the American Baseball Coaches Association HOF. Hew retired in 2002. As of 2013, his 1,020 wins at WSU were 9th best all-time in NCAA Division II. It would be fair for any logical person to think - yeah, he was a pretty good coach.
 

Grob was such a good coach, he once called me into his office and said, “Tusa, your priorities right now are the 4 Bs. Beer, broads, baseball and books. You will never play for me until you’re reverse those priorities.”  This was after I was ineligible for the lack of required credits my freshmen year.  I was a class clown. I managed to get in two years of successful JV baseball hitting over .350+ both years. Singles and doubles.

 

I thought I was going to be short of credits again for my fourth year, and was embarrassed. I didn't have the guts to tell Grob, and avoided him. That was tough, considering I was the WSU school paper sports editor and had to be in the sports building every day. My grades were vastly improved, carrying a C+ GPA.

 

Still living the Mayday Malone lifestyle, many times one of my teammates would see me and tell me "Coach is looking for you."

 

The story ends with Grob and I sitting at his desk in early March. On the top of his filing cabinet was the eligibility report. He was pissed, because the report said I was eligible. But, it was too late for me to just show up, as the spring trip was two weeks away.

Grob realized I knew the game of baseball. He knew my teammates respected me as a player, even though I made his life challenging. with my goofball attitude. So, he said he needed a JV coach. He asked me to be the head coach. I accepted. “You know.” said Grob. “You are eligible. I want you to play, too.” Thus, I became the first-ever player/head coach in his program.

 

Our varsity batting coach was Dave Wall, who played one year in the White Sox organization, and was instructed by the legendary White Sox coach, Charlie Lau. Wall just talked to me about the hitting principles Lau taught. I absorbed it.

 

But one day in the cages, using a 32”, 29 oz bat,  as I was now physically stronger, I found myself not getting too much barrel. The barrel size was the standard 2 5/8”. For the heck of it, I picked up a 35” 31 oz bat. I compared the bats. It was glaring that not only did I have 3” longer on the bat, the barrel was longer by 2”. I started using it. And at the JV level of play, I had more success than ever in my life. Seven HR in 58 at bats. Hit almost .400.

At this stage, I was only a DH. I went from a SS in HS to 2B in college, because I lacked the arm strength. Running from first to third on a base hit, I was timed by a calendar, not a stop watch. I didn't have the necessary skills to play professional baseball.

Keep in mind, I said I am only 5’9” tall - using a 35” bat. Coaches and teammates couldn’t believe it. I explained my theory. The longer barrel gave me more forgiveness, and more whipping action.
 

Enough about me me me.
 

In comparison to my size, Nellie Cruz, the legendary Twins designated hitter is 6’2” and HE uses a 35” bat, according to the website www.whatproswear.com
 

So, what does this all have to do with Miguel Sano? Sano is 6'4 listed 275 (cough cough). In comparison, Twins slugging sensation, Nellie Cruz is 6'2". According to the website, www.whatproswear.com, Cruz uses a 35" 33 oz bat.

 

Let's now talk about the equipment.  If you are ever in a sporting goods store, head over to the bat rack and see for yourself. Look at the maple bats, and if a store has ash or birch, compare them.

 

Maple bats are the most used bats in the MLB because it’s the hardest wood allowed. These bats cost $180+. Ash bats, probably about $40. I don’t know. I haven’t looked lately myself.

 

What I will say about maple bats is one thing that many baseball pundits probably don’t even think about. There is talk about a juiced baseball. Maybe there is, but with maple bats, and the hardness of the bats, we now start getting into physics.

 

Faster pitch velocity + Stronger athletes + Maple Bats = Bombas.

 

Ash bats have a different grain and softer wood, that actually creates more flex, or in a sense, a whipping action. With ash bats being softer, it is also lighter in weight and will provide a longer barrel area. With the softer wood, ash bats become cost prohibitive as they break easier.

 

Maple bats have reduced many broken bat singles, and in fact, I argue maple bats have aided in hits, almost in the same way an aluminum bat aids. Not as drastic, but maple offers similar results. As with aluminum, harder to break bats at the handle.
 

Let’s now touch on some of the properties of a maple bat. Because of the hardness, naturally the bat will be a little heavier. I honestly have not looked at maple bats in a few years, but the last I looked, 2 1/2” is the barrel diameter. Do larger barrels exist? I don’t know. But a 2 5/8” barrel would definitely add a couple ounces more in weight.
 

The website www.justbats.com, when you type in “what size bat does Sano use?”, it says his model is a MS22 BWP 2 1/2” barrel. Why is this important?

 

As this finely written reports states, this is “my view from the couch.” It looks like that is what Sano uses. A 2 1/2” maple bat.

 

Let’s put this in perspective.
 

A T-Ball bat is 2 1/4”. Sano uses a 2 1/2” bat. Yes, only 1/4” between an 8-year-old and a 275-pound man. I told you I used a 2 5/8” bat. I had a bat 1/8” larger barrel than Sano. I didn’t play at 275 pounds. A 12-year-old can use a 2 5/8” bat.
 

According to the MLB rules, the maximum bat barrel is 2.61”. Sano is sacrificing over 1/8” barrel. I don’t know the length of Sano’s bat, but I can tell you my observation from my couch is that Sano is so large, his bat in his hands resembles what it would look like for me to hold a T-Ball bat.
 

But that is not just it. As I mentioned when I was a player, the 35” had a couple inches longer barrel. Sano’s bat does not have the longest barrel.
 

I am now going to switch to Cruz, who has elevated himself into my top 5 all-time favorite Twins.
 

From your couch. Look at Cruz’s 35”  33 oz bat. Then, look at Sano’s bat.
 

From my couch, I notice a bigger, longer barrel on Cruz’s. . Whatproswear.com says the l13L bat Cruz uses features one of the biggest barrels of any model bat with a medium handle.
 

I dunno. From my couch, I see a drastic difference in bats between Cruz and Sano's. One has to believe that Sano has to be as strong as Cruz, so, what doesn't Sano use the same size bat?
 

From my couch, I look at Cruz. I see the consummate slugger that has gotten his barrel on the bat more than every MLB player in history except 54 players. From my couch, it is the size of Cruz’s barrel as to why he isn’t slowing down.
 

So, from my couch, I would like to explain these same physics and principles to Miguel Sano, and ask him to do me one thing.
 

Would you please try a bigger bat?

[spsdrock]

I feel every time he struggles, it is simply, he is swinging to dang hard.  Last year he slowed/smoothed his swing and started mashing.  Now he is back to his, swing out of his shoes, type swing again.  That is my couch coaching.

[Squirrel]

 

 

 

Grob was such a good coach, he once called me into his office and said, “Tusa, your priorities right now are the 4 Bs. Beer, broads, Bloedows, baseball and books. You will never play for me until you’re reverse those priorities.”  

 

ftfy

 

 

[Channing1964]

Boy, is he struggling at the plate! Man, can he crush it! That’s eight strike outs in his past 10 at-bats.

 

These are often some of the sentences I see when I scour the Twitterverse world we love in.

 

The question is: What is wrong with Miguel Sano, the struggling slugging first baseman of the Minnesota Twins?

 

My simple solution?

 

Switch bats.

Ok. Who am I and what the heck do I know?

 

In order for me to answer this, I have to give you my background.

 

Here I am - 57-years-old. 5’9” and a body frame that would make Bartolo Colon blush. Ok, not THAT bad, but still!

 

I will preface that I played JV baseball at Winona State University for three years. Why only junior varsity? Because, for those of you baseball fans of my generation, you might have been a Cheers TV show fan, whose lead character was Sam  “Mayday: Malone - a former Boston Red Sox pitcher, who drank himself out of baseball. I almost drank myself out of college. I went from Academic Probation to better grades to eligibility to not having enough credits to better grades and eligibility.

 

Our head coach was Gary Grob, who resides not only the WSU Hall of Fame, but he is also in the NAIA, NSIC conference and the American Baseball Coaches Association HOF. Hew retired in 2002. As of 2013, his 1,020 wins at WSU were 9th best all-time in NCAA Division II. It would be fair for any logical person to think - yeah, he was a pretty good coach.

 

Grob was such a good coach, he once called me into his office and said, “Tusa, your priorities right now are the 4 Bs. Beer, broads, baseball and books. You will never play for me until you’re reverse those priorities.”  This was after I was ineligible for the lack of required credits my freshmen year.  I was a class clown. I managed to get in two years of successful JV baseball hitting over .350+ both years. Singles and doubles.

 

I thought I was going to be short of credits again for my fourth year, and was embarrassed. I didn't have the guts to tell Grob, and avoided him. That was tough, considering I was the WSU school paper sports editor and had to be in the sports building every day. My grades were vastly improved, carrying a C+ GPA.

 

Still living the Mayday Malone lifestyle, many times one of my teammates would see me and tell me "Coach is looking for you."

 

The story ends with Grob and I sitting at his desk in early March. On the top of his filing cabinet was the eligibility report. He was pissed, because the report said I was eligible. But, it was too late for me to just show up, as the spring trip was two weeks away.

Grob realized I knew the game of baseball. He knew my teammates respected me as a player, even though I made his life challenging. with my goofball attitude. So, he said he needed a JV coach. He asked me to be the head coach. I accepted. “You know.” said Grob. “You are eligible. I want you to play, too.” Thus, I became the first-ever player/head coach in his program.

 

Our varsity batting coach was Dave Wall, who played one year in the White Sox organization, and was instructed by the legendary White Sox coach, Charlie Lau. Wall just talked to me about the hitting principles Lau taught. I absorbed it.

 

But one day in the cages, using a 32”, 29 oz bat,  as I was now physically stronger, I found myself not getting too much barrel. The barrel size was the standard 2 5/8”. For the heck of it, I picked up a 35” 31 oz bat. I compared the bats. It was glaring that not only did I have 3” longer on the bat, the barrel was longer by 2”. I started using it. And at the JV level of play, I had more success than ever in my life. Seven HR in 58 at bats. Hit almost .400.

At this stage, I was only a DH. I went from a SS in HS to 2B in college, because I lacked the arm strength. Running from first to third on a base hit, I was timed by a calendar, not a stop watch. I didn't have the necessary skills to play professional baseball.

Keep in mind, I said I am only 5’9” tall - using a 35” bat. Coaches and teammates couldn’t believe it. I explained my theory. The longer barrel gave me more forgiveness, and more whipping action.

 

Enough about me me me.

 

In comparison to my size, Nellie Cruz, the legendary Twins designated hitter is 6’2” and HE uses a 35” bat, according to the website www.whatproswear.com

 

So, what does this all have to do with Miguel Sano? Sano is 6'4 listed 275 (cough cough). In comparison, Twins slugging sensation, Nellie Cruz is 6'2". According to the website, www.whatproswear.com, Cruz uses a 35" 33 oz bat.

 

Let's now talk about the equipment.  If you are ever in a sporting goods store, head over to the bat rack and see for yourself. Look at the maple bats, and if a store has ash or birch, compare them.

 

Maple bats are the most used bats in the MLB because it’s the hardest wood allowed. These bats cost $180+. Ash bats, probably about $40. I don’t know. I haven’t looked lately myself.

 

What I will say about maple bats is one thing that many baseball pundits probably don’t even think about. There is talk about a juiced baseball. Maybe there is, but with maple bats, and the hardness of the bats, we now start getting into physics.

 

Faster pitch velocity + Stronger athletes + Maple Bats = Bombas.

 

Ash bats have a different grain and softer wood, that actually creates more flex, or in a sense, a whipping action. With ash bats being softer, it is also lighter in weight and will provide a longer barrel area. With the softer wood, ash bats become cost prohibitive as they break easier.

 

Maple bats have reduced many broken bat singles, and in fact, I argue maple bats have aided in hits, almost in the same way an aluminum bat aids. Not as drastic, but maple offers similar results. As with aluminum, harder to break bats at the handle.

 

Let’s now touch on some of the properties of a maple bat. Because of the hardness, naturally the bat will be a little heavier. I honestly have not looked at maple bats in a few years, but the last I looked, 2 1/2” is the barrel diameter. Do larger barrels exist? I don’t know. But a 2 5/8” barrel would definitely add a couple ounces more in weight.

 

The website www.justbats.com, when you type in “what size bat does Sano use?”, it says his model is a MS22 BWP 2 1/2” barrel. Why is this important?

 

As this finely written reports states, this is “my view from the couch.” It looks like that is what Sano uses. A 2 1/2” maple bat.

 

Let’s put this in perspective.

 

A T-Ball bat is 2 1/4”. Sano uses a 2 1/2” bat. Yes, only 1/4” between an 8-year-old and a 275-pound man. I told you I used a 2 5/8” bat. I had a bat 1/8” larger barrel than Sano. I didn’t play at 275 pounds. A 12-year-old can use a 2 5/8” bat.

 

According to the MLB rules, the maximum bat barrel is 2.61”. Sano is sacrificing over 1/8” barrel. I don’t know the length of Sano’s bat, but I can tell you my observation from my couch is that Sano is so large, his bat in his hands resembles what it would look like for me to hold a T-Ball bat.

 

But that is not just it. As I mentioned when I was a player, the 35” had a couple inches longer barrel. Sano’s bat does not have the longest barrel.

 

I am now going to switch to Cruz, who has elevated himself into my top 5 all-time favorite Twins.

 

From your couch. Look at Cruz’s 35”  33 oz bat. Then, look at Sano’s bat.

 

From my couch, I notice a bigger, longer barrel on Cruz’s. . Whatproswear.com says the l13L bat Cruz uses features one of the biggest barrels of any model bat with a medium handle.

 

I dunno. From my couch, I see a drastic difference in bats between Cruz and Sano's. One has to believe that Sano has to be as strong as Cruz, so, what doesn't Sano use the same size bat?

 

From my couch, I look at Cruz. I see the consummate slugger that has gotten his barrel on the bat more than every MLB player in history except 54 players. From my couch, it is the size of Cruz’s barrel as to why he isn’t slowing down.

 

So, from my couch, I would like to explain these same physics and principles to Miguel Sano, and ask him to do me one thing.

 

Would you please try a bigger bat?

that is amazing insight! and i didnt mean to quote the whole thing but i am technologically challenged at the moment

[Number3]

I always thought that the now retired catcher/first baseman who wore #7 should have used a lighter bat later in his career when he seemed to be over matched by his own lumber many times. Of course I offered no detailed examination, it just made sense. It does get back to what are the Twins' brain trust thinking? What would a < .200 hitter have to lose by trying especially this season? He should try every bat in the bat rack. Many times the simplest solution is the best but coaching has never been a Twins' trademark. Just send 'em out there.

[jkcarew]

I'd do what they're already doing...I'd have him follow Nelson Cruz around 24x7. It's becoming obvious that that isn't going to make Sano the hitter that Cruz has been over his career...but still, it should help Sano become the best Sano that he can be. Unfortunately, that simply might be less than what were expecting.

[4twinsJA]

I see small hitch in Sano's swing, seems to bring hands forward then back while pitch on its way and sometimes cannot get there fast enough instead of starting with hands back and just going forward to ball. On your point on bat, I agree. Many players in past have used heavier, longer bats, very successfully. Worth a try.

[Dave The Dastardly]

Bat afraid.

 

Here's the solution.

 

https://clarktoys.com/jobu-officially-licensed-major-league-movie-replica-10-figure/?CATARGETID=120298850000011179&CADevice=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInLff5tiq6wIVAcDICh3icQCeEAQYASABEgJaDPD_BwE

[denarded]

I have never read more and learned less. Was this a joke? Bigger fool me.

[Number3]

 

I have never read more and learned less. Was this a joke? Bigger fool me.

thetuse might be a lawyer so the verbosity would make sense. Translation;"Maybe Sano should try a different bat."

[Linus]

Don’t know how a heavier bat is going to help him catch up to fastballs up in the zone.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Sano missed summer camp and not only missed the reps needed to get up to game speed, was basically exiled to his basement instead of being able to do anything.

 

And Sano has a pretty solid track record that shows if he don't get the reps, he ain't gonna hit the ball.

 

Amazingly enough, once he got those reps he missed - 65 PAs is where he bottomed out this season with a .632 OPS - he turned right back into Miguel Sano.

 

Since bottoming out, he has posted: 34 PAs, 1.400 OPS.

[blindeke]

 

 

 

Since bottoming out, he has posted: 34 PAs, 1.400 OPS.

 

I'm not a math major. Is that good or bad?

[Craig Arko]

 

I'm not a math major. Is that good or bad?

I was. It's good.

[Number3]

No question Sano has been right in the middle of Twins' offense lately, last night included. Maybe he has tried a different bat.