Aaron Sabato Promoted to Triple-A After Career-Best Stretch: Could MLB Be Next?

He looks more athletic this season. Maybe the Sabato Express keeps rolling.

There could be worse things than a highly drafted highly touted prospect who plays a position of need for a team that needs power hitting finally getting it right even at age 26,

No....

He played his first game for the Saints last night so that question has already been answered.  I hated the pick when it was made and I never liked him as a prospect.  I would be absolutely thrilled to be dead wrong if he was a late bloomer or found something or whatever and became a productive major leaguer.  

I would be interested to know what they did with him.  It sounds like his plate discipline has improved but is that enough to create this break-out?  Not trying to pull everything, maybe?  IDK but I would love to see him interviewed on his emergence.

It would be nice to have a guy even in a bench role that mashes LHP.

The answer is a resounding, let’s wait and see. Current trajectory would suggest that the Twins could be sellers by the trade deadline. Sell as high as possible on 🇫🇷 and give Sabato a little runway in the second half. If he can hit then maybe he stays and if not, we start teaching Wallner or Larnach first base.

4 seasons stalled in AA is a long time and it's hard to believe he is only 26 years old ...

Let's see what he does for the next month or so and see if his numbers remain close to the same as AA ...

I recall Bob Hamelin finally getting to the majors after several seasons and many at bats in four AAA seasons. He was Rookie of the Year for the Royals as a DH/1B in 1994. That was the highlight of his career. Maybe the Twins can get a helpful season or two from Sabato.

I believe we are seeing what Sabato potential is.   He’s had few broken hands and other injury setbacks within last few seasons.  I feel that was a huge part of the inconsistency.   Staying on field, healthy having good at bats is showing results.  Definitely looks different.  Credit to him and the perseverance.   

At the least, he can increase hius trade stock. The Twins will now have to protect him. Can he be a defensive plus for the team, at best. Offer some needed power? Or would the Twins be better making McCusker a first baseman.

So, is using Julien or Miranda at first base out of the question now?

No reason not to wish all the best for Aaron Sabato but he didn't look too good tonight. The swing looked slow and pull happy. Still a good comeback story is always fun to watch.

Even at 25% his K rate is far too high to do anything in the majors,  K rate is what you need to know, adjusted for age vs level.  There's nothing there. 26 in his fourth year at AA, that 25% is more like a normal prospect's 33%.  That could well be 40%+ in MLB with contact mostly partial and weak.  And maybe a couple of homers at first that don't mean anything other than pitchers feeding him some meatballs until they learn.

1 hour ago, twinstalker said:

Even at 25% his K rate is far too high to do anything in the majors,  K rate is what you need to know, adjusted for age vs level.  There's nothing there. 26 in his fourth year at AA, that 25% is more like a normal prospect's 33%.  That could well be 40%+ in MLB with contact mostly partial and weak.  And maybe a couple of homers at first that don't mean anything other than pitchers feeding him some meatballs until they learn.

yup

14 hours ago, Rosterman said:

At the least, he can increase hius trade stock. The Twins will now have to protect him. Can he be a defensive plus for the team, at best. Offer some needed power? Or would the Twins be better making McCusker a first baseman.

So, is using Julien or Miranda at first base out of the question now?

I just don't see Miranda, and especially Julien, in the picture for the majors.  I do feel the Twins should move McCusker to first base this season and perhaps he can help next year.

You gotta have dreams, that's what the minor leagues are all about...good luck to the kid.

Evaluations are ongoing for baseball players. It is a performance based business that only allows space for those who signed big bonuses or have either large contracts (above $4M) long term contracts.

A suggestion would be to watch these guys in the minor leagues. You will see that Julien is way above Miranda currently but not in favor himself. Players who seek to play in the majors live fluid lives; it ain't easy.

IMO, it's interesting that all those years of stressing HRs, Sabato didn't amount to much. Now that they aren't, he's starting to hit. 

Baldelli likes his 1Bmen to have a lot of experience at 1B, because it's one of the most difficult positions to play (?). 6 yrs. now, Sabato should be pretty darn good.

At 26 & just starting AAA, many TD members won't give him much of a chance but I would. IMO, because Miranda has more experience at the MLB & he can hit RHPs, he should have the lion's share of opportunity at 1B.

Like any stat, you have some that dominate that stat, some who are bad & some who fluctuates. As far as France is concerned, he has been pretty steady being clutch throughout his career.

On 6/14/2025 at 12:32 PM, thelanges5 said:

The answer is a resounding, let’s wait and see. Current trajectory would suggest that the Twins could be sellers by the trade deadline. Sell as high as possible on 🇫🇷 and give Sabato a little runway in the second half. If he can hit then maybe he stays and if not, we start teaching Wallner or Larnach first base.

Seems like there's been talk of teaching Wallner or Larnach to play 1B all season.  Also seems like there's been very little actual teaching Wallner or Larnach to play 1B.  Honestly I'd rather see Sabato EARN and get a shot and either become the player they envisioned when they drafted him or play well enough to hold the spot and have someone like Billy Amick rise thru the system quickly and become the 1B.  Small sample size but doing quite well this year.  The problem with moving Larnach or Wallner becomes the amount of time we end up seeing a Castro or Keirsey or Gasper out there.

On 6/14/2025 at 7:28 PM, Rosterman said:

At the least, he can increase hius trade stock. The Twins will now have to protect him. Can he be a defensive plus for the team, at best. Offer some needed power? Or would the Twins be better making McCusker a first baseman.

So, is using Julien or Miranda at first base out of the question now?

Julien and Miranda are not part of the future anymore