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It's been a long journey for Aaron Sabato. There were probably plenty of moments over the last six years when the former first-round pick wondered if this day would ever come. Now, after grinding through the minor leagues and putting together the best season of his professional career, Sabato is finally getting the call.
The Minnesota Twins are calling up Sabato, giving the 27th overall pick from the 2020 MLB Draft his first opportunity to play in the big leagues. Sabato's journey began during the strangest draft in baseball history. The event was shortened to just five rounds because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Twins used their first selection on a massive first baseman from the University of North Carolina.
There was never much mystery about Sabato's calling card. It was his bat—and, specifically, his power. He entered professional baseball with significant raw power and a strong offensive track record. As a freshman at UNC, Sabato hit .343/.453/.696, with 18 home runs and 25 doubles in 64 games. The Twins believed his offensive ceiling could make him a middle-of-the-order threat.
There was a catch. Sabato was always going to have to hit at a high level. He was primarily a first baseman and didn't have the defensive versatility that would have provided another avenue to playing time. The equation was relatively simple: The bat needed to carry the profile.
For years, that equation didn't quite balance. Sabato eventually reached Triple-A, but his progression was slower than many expected from a first-round selection. The power was still there, but the overall offensive production wasn't consistent enough to force his way into the Twins' plans. His prospect stock didn't fade; it cratered. He fell off the radar of all but the most indomitable Twins fans.
Then came 2026. Sabato turned his best tools into his best professional season. He established a new St. Paul Saints Triple-A franchise record with 25 home runs, while adding 25 doubles. Earlier this week, the Saints named him their 2026 Most Valuable Player. He finished his season with a .273/.349/.528 slash line, good for an .877 OPS and a 121 wRC+. Sabato also posted an 8.7% walk rate and a 25.3% strikeout rate over 113 games.
Those numbers don't erase the questions that followed him throughout his professional career. They do, however, show why the Twins continued to give him opportunities. The power is legitimate, and that power could give Minnesota something it has been searching for.
A Right-Handed Power Bat
The Twins have needed more right-handed power for quite some time. That makes Sabato's opportunity particularly interesting. Minnesota doesn't need him to suddenly become the next superstar. He doesn't need to carry the offense. The Twins just need to determine whether the bat that made him a first-round pick can play against big-league pitching.
The challenge will be making enough contact and controlling the strike zone against more formidable opponents. His strikeout rate shows there's still some swing-and-miss in his game. That's nothing new for a player whose offensive value is built around doing damage. But the Twins will get a chance to see whether his improved overall production can carry over.
The timing makes sense. At this point in the season, the Twins have an opportunity to evaluate players who could factor into their future plans. Sabato has already spent years in the organization. There isn't much left for him to prove in Triple-A. He probably doesn't factor into the team's future, either, but bringing him to the majors is a feel-good story that also serves as an audition.
For a former first-round pick who has spent most of his professional career waiting for this opportunity, that's more than enough. Sabato is finally a big leaguer. The long journey is over. Now the real test begins.
What can the Twins expect from Sabato? Can he be a piece of the 2027 Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
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