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    Sano Going To Let It Eat

    Ted Schwerzler

    By Ted Schwerzler

    With big expectations, there are big responsibilities. It's fair to say that since signing with the Minnesota Twins as a teenager, Miguel Sano has been the focal point of some very big expectations. His massive power potential has long been the narrative, and despite being signed as a shortstop, the feeling was always that his bat and frame would push him from the position. Fast forward to 2018 and we've got a near-25 year-old who's toyed with those expectations, but has overlooked some of the responsibilities.

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    Entering the regular season, Miguel Sano finds himself in somewhat of a limbo. After being accused of sexual assault over the offseason (from an incident stemming years earlier), he awaits his fate as MLB conducts their investigation. My assumption is that some sort of discipline will be handed down, and given previous league decisions, it should come in somewhere under 30 games. Coming off a year in which he played 114 games for the Twins, he should still have opportunity to top that output. That being said, it's yet again another responsibility he's failed to make good on.

    With reporters descending on Fort Myers for the beginning of Spring Training, it's once again come to light that Sano is significantly overweight. Derek Falvey hinted at that notion, suggesting the Minnesota third basemen's recovery from injury has gone well, but that he needs to now focus on getting to where he needs to be with his conditioning. That is a politically correct way of putting it, and in previous seasons Patrick Reusse has called it what it is. Miguel Sano is overweight.

    Looking back to Reusse's column in March 2016, I had an issue with there seemingly being a suggested link between Sano being hurt because of being fat. While that may not have been fair, the Star Tribune columnist has been spot on when it comes to pegging the poundage for young Miguel. Once again, he's entered camp staring at 300 pounds and comes in around the 290 mark. To suggest that hampers relative production is unfair, but there are more than a few takeaways when it comes to what the scale is telling us.

    First and foremost, there's a real lack of accountability to Minnesota for Sano. Having invested in him heavily as a player, and his development, the Twins have worked with him to stay on the infield dirt far earlier than the new regime's days. While shortstop was never going to be a reality, positional value at third base is significantly higher than having to be moved across the diamond as Joe Mauer's heir, or worse, solely a designated hitter. Despite having employed nutritionists in the clubhouse, and undoubtedly using offseason check-ins, Sano hasn't accomplished the Twins' goals in multiple seasons when it comes to his habits.

    Secondly, there's the fallout in regard to the lack of accountability. Because of allowing his weight to balloon, the reality is that Sano's long-term value is sapped exponentially. Forget the reality that an increase to injury potential is a by-product of being overweight, the loss of a position makes one of the Twins greatest assets one dimensional. Even if he heads to first base, which is far from a foregone conclusion, Sano isn't viewed as the asset he could be if he was able to stick at the hot corner. Recently, KSTP's Darren Wolfson noted what was suspected all along: Sano wasn't going to entice the Rays into dealing Archer when seen as a one dimensional player.

    At the end of the day, there are a few hard and fast realities for the Twins and Miguel Sano. First and foremost, they have a 24 year old who has failed to hold himself accountable, and has done so on multiple occasions. Secondly, they also have an extremely good ballplayer, who's capable of producing some of the greatest power outputs the game has seen on a year-by-year basis. I believe that in 2018 and beyond, Miguel Sano will put up multiple 30-plus homer seasons, and that he'll be of significant value going forward. I do also believe that the only person lowering his ceiling is himself.

    No matter how his assault case shakes out, it seems as if there are multiple aspects of growing up when it comes to the opposite sex. No matter what his weight gets to, it's apparent there's a significant level of responsibility that can yet be adhered to. For both Miguel Sano and the Minnesota Twins, a stronger commitment to oneself from the player benefits all involved. Right now, there's a very talented ballplayer who can compete and produce at a very high level. If there is a comfortable situation here, where a point has been reached that improvement isn't demanded of the player to unlock superstar potential, well then, we'll only be able to wonder, what if?

    A blogger for over a decade, passion for baseball and the Minnesota Twins runs deep. Whether at the ballpark or on the couch, I'm probably tweeting.
    Follow Ted Schwerzler on Twitter: tlschwerz

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    Featured Comments

    sorney

    sorney 407

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    As much as people want to chat about his weight and conditioning and his ability to be an elite hitter...I don't think any of that is as important as the sexual assault (obviously).  That personality trait is much more worrisome long term.

    bean5302

    bean5302 9,489

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I can't get around how people defend Sano's weight. Sano has been on the record in years past indicating his ideal weight was 218 and 230 when he was showing elite power already. It seems Sano believes his ideal weight is whatever he weighs at any given time.

     

    Physical fitness (of which weight is often closely related) directly corresponds to performance. Hitting a baseball a long way isn't all Sano has to do. Sano has to react to the pitch, make adjustments to his body positioning to square pitches up, maintain flexibility, and often run flat out to the next base. He's supposed to be a third baseman, which requires fast reflexes, the ability to cover ground in a short period of time, pivot and throw off balance.

     

    Miguel Sano is paid to be an athlete, not just some guy on a bush league softball team who can send a ball flying if he actually connects.

     

    I saw comments about Hrbek in here. Hrbek was as tall as Sano and played his best under 240lbs... with his weight ballooning to somewhere near 250 as his production tanked and his injuries mounted. Morneau in his prime was at 220-230lbs. Jim Thome was a really big guy, but he played at 250lbs at the end of his career. Miguel Sano is 290-300lbs.

     

    Sano is carrying an 80lb package of shingles of extra fat around with him every step he takes. It adversely impacts his defensive value, how likely he is to be injured and most if not every aspect of his hitting other than pure power.

    gunnarthor

    gunnarthor 12,610

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    Sano was serviceable at 3B last year, you aren't wrong. The problem is when this is a yearly trend, you get to a point where serviceable is the ceiling instead of the floor.

     

    As a DH, or even a 1B, his bat is going to play. It just negates some of the ways he can impact the game, bring value to the team, or in a trade.

    Go and look at old posts about him when he was called up in 2015, played no third base and darn near hit us into the postseason. We all knew that his time at third was limited and we were hoping that he could wait until Mauer was gone to make the move across the diamond.

     

    Nothing's changed. He was fine last year. He'll likely be fine by the end of ST this year. He just needs to hold down third base for one more season and then the Twins can make their changes. That has likely always been the plan. His weight is an issue only if it affects him on the field and so far we haven't seen that. I'd also remind you that he missed all of 2014 to TJ surgery and worked his ass off to remain a great hitter. I'm not worried about his work ethic. 

    KirbyDome89

    KirbyDome89 6,208

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Sano was serviceable at 3B last year, you aren't wrong. The problem is when this is a yearly trend, you get to a point where serviceable is the ceiling instead of the floor.

    Sano was never considered a great defensive prospect, his ability to stick at 3B was questioned through the minors too. He has a cannon for an arm but he has always had some difficulty fielding. IMO the weight is an easy target for a guy that was going to have struggles defensively at the major league level. 

    Vanimal46

    Vanimal46 41,678

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    I can't get around how people defend Sano's weight. Sano has been on the record in years past indicating his ideal weight was 218 and 230 when he was showing elite power already. It seems Sano believes his ideal weight is whatever he weighs at any given time.

     

    Physical fitness (of which weight is often closely related) directly corresponds to performance. Hitting a baseball a long way isn't all Sano has to do. Sano has to react to the pitch, make adjustments to his body positioning to square pitches up, maintain flexibility, and often run flat out to the next base. He's supposed to be a third baseman, which requires fast reflexes, the ability to cover ground in a short period of time, pivot and throw off balance.

     

    Miguel Sano is paid to be an athlete, not just some guy on a bush league softball team who can send a ball flying if he actually connects.

     

    I saw comments about Hrbek in here. Hrbek was as tall as Sano and played his best under 240lbs... with his weight ballooning to somewhere near 250 as his production tanked and his injuries mounted. Morneau in his prime was at 220-230lbs. Jim Thome was a really big guy, but he played at 250lbs at the end of his career. Miguel Sano is 290-300lbs.

     

    Sano is carrying an 80lb package of shingles of extra fat around with him every step he takes. It adversely impacts his defensive value, how likely he is to be injured and most if not every aspect of his hitting other than pure power.

    Link? I don't think that boy has weighed less than 230 since he was 17 years old.

     

    Athletes get bigger, faster, and stronger every year. If he's hiding 80 lbs of fat he does a good job hiding it.

    mazeville

    mazeville 1,447

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    I do not disagree. 

     

    My point is that people are reacting like Sano is putting Delmon Young numbers out there on both sides of the field.   Thus the offensive numbers I posted.  As far as his defense at 3B goes, it has been at least as good (0.4 UZR/150 vs -4.8 UZR/150, -8 DRS vs -6 DRS) as Trevor Plouffe's.  I cannot remember mentions that Plouffe's defense sucked because he was (add whatever reason you want.) 

     

    Can Sano get better if he gets in a better shape?  Maybe, maybe not

    Can he can in a better shape based on his genetics?  Maybe, maybe not

     

    Is Sano one of the Twins best players as is? Absolutely

     

    His detractors forget the last part.

     

    Yes. He can get in better shape, genetics or not. 

     

    Sano struck out 36% of the time and has taken a long time to recover from that foul ball off of his leg (which was supposed to be healed well before the end of the season). Maybe that had nothing to do with conditioning. But man it's hard to ignore that. 

     

    (And yes, weight does have an impact on injury recovery time, especially when you're talking about the legs.)

     

    Regardless, that conditioning makes it more likely he stays at third where he definitely has above-average potential and a cannon for an arm. His value at third is far higher than it is as a DH, which some people on here oddly seem OK with. 

     

    What bugs me is that the moment you mention "Sano" and "conditioning" in the same sentence we get odd responses with phrases like "BMI police." He's a professional athlete! If he didn't want to have his bosses hound on his conditioning he should have been a sports writer or an accountant.

     

    Want a good comparison? Try Pablo Sandoval. He had an OPS of .847 or above in three of his first four seasons. He clearly didn't have Sano's power, but he hit over .300 in those three seasons. He was an all star twice and received MVP consideration once. He's not an all star any more. 

     

    Now look at him. 

     

     

    KirbyDome89

    KirbyDome89 6,208

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Link? I don't think that boy has weighed less than 230 since he was 17 years old.

    Athletes get bigger, faster, and stronger every year. If he's hiding 80 lbs of fat he does a good job hiding it.

    That and the fact that NOBODY maintains their weight from their late teenage years. Physical maturation is a funny thing...

    Dantes929

    Dantes929 4,640

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Someone explain to me how Sano playing so so at 3rd or at 1st increases his value significantly.    I guess it might keep us from getting a guy like Thome to come in and DH but how many of those are around.    Aside from Thome, it feels like we have complained about the DH production for years.   Makes a lot more sense for a decent fielding ok hitting third base man and Sano at DH than it does to have Sano at 3rd paired with an ok hitting DH.    I like having a big guy like Sano in the line up but having two big lumbering guys like Sano and Vargas does not appeal quite so much.    Besides which Escobar kind of deserves a shot after the season he had.   Him at 3rd base with Sano DH seems better than Sano at 3rd and Gorssman DH.  

    bean5302

    bean5302 9,489

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    From 2013 - Sano reported to camp at 238, said his ideal weight was 229. That's a year after he reported he was 218lbs, which was his ideal weight in 2012...

     

    http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9239068/top-twins-prospect-miguel-sano-starring-documentary

     

    My experience is it doesn't matter if I prove Sano's quotes or facts related to the position. It's always hard to pull up articles and find them from 2012 etc. Sano was 16 and 6'3" 190lbs. Then he was 195. Then he was 220, then 230, then 260, then 290... The entire time, he was showing elite power.

     

    Elite athletes who are stronger, faster, quicker and need size more than Sano tip the scales at 240-250lbs with Sano's height. NFL tight ends and linebackers, for example.

     

    Sano is absolutely carrying around no less than 60-80lbs of unnecessary fat right now. If you don't believe it because his body distributes the weight well, then, you don't have to. I can't force you to agree with me. Heck, maybe I'm wrong despite what seems like pretty logical comparisons and quotes I've been able to find from interviews with Sano.

    Blackjack

    Blackjack 869

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     


    Unfortunately for the Twins, JD Martinez just signed a  $110M deal to basically play DH.  I hope Sano doesn't look at that the wrong way.

    I think thats exactly the problem, just puddling along the way he is, he'll still make many millions - on top of the millions that he got paid in bonus money. 

    Vanimal46

    Vanimal46 41,678

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted (edited)

    So you believe a person's ideal weight stays the same from the time they're 19 going on 20 years old? That's how old Sano was in 2013.

     

    At 19 my ideal weight was 175 lbs. Now at 27, and well after the discovery of delicious craft beers, my ideal weight is less than 200 lbs.

    Edited by Vanimal46
    Tibs

    Tibs 1,108

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I don't understand how people can see the number 290 lbs and think that is remotely acceptable for a baseball player, one that is expected to play 3B no less. He could legitimately show up to a Vikings practice and not look out of place on the OL or DL.

     

    He doesn't have to look like Giancarlo Stanton out there. He's always been a big guy and will be heavier than other players. That's fine. 290 lbs is not fine. At all. At some point it will affect his performance.

     

    Sano is only 24. What is he going to weigh when he is 30?

    gunnarthor

    gunnarthor 12,610

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    I don't understand how people can see the number 290 lbs and think that is remotely acceptable for a baseball player, one that is expected to play 3B no less. He could legitimately show up to a Vikings practice and not look out of place on the OL or DL.

     

    He doesn't have to look like Giancarlo Stanton out there. He's always been a big guy and will be heavier than other players. That's fine. 290 lbs is not fine. At all. At some point it will affect his performance.

     

    Sano is only 24. What is he going to weigh when he is 30?

    And those offensive lineman run faster than you. Athletes have changed. The days of the Jack Clark sluggers is done.

     

    Sano is over weight, I don't think anyone is arguing against this. I think there is some serious disagreement over how much he's overweight and how much that affects his play on the field. Since he's recovering from a leg injury, added weight isn't surprising. I suspect he'll be lighter by the end of ST. I don't think his weight has been negatively affecting him.

    Guest

    Guest

  • Guests

    • Posted (edited)

    So you believe a person's ideal weight stays the same from the time they're 19 going on 20 years old? That's how old Sano was in 2013.

    At 19 my ideal weight was 175 lbs. Now at 27, and well after the discovery of delicious craft beers, my ideal weight is less than 200 lbs.

    Sano may be on the same training program! Edited by Deduno Abides
    B Good

    B Good 39

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

    Of even more importance, I must admit that I don't really get the headline.  Is it a pun of some sort?  The only thing I've got is that it's a riff of the Lennon/Beatles song "Let It Be."  What am I missing?

    Perhaps a reference to hitting the ball a long way, as stated by Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy, aka) Let the big dog eat.  Cross this with Sano who also hits the ball a long way, but also likes to eat a lot.  Just a guess.  

    Lefty74

    Lefty74 115

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Had a chance to be on the field during batting practice and was a few feet from Sano as he waited his turn. To put it in perspective, I am 6’3” and a soft 210 and it is not an exaggeration to say his leg circumference is at least double mine. He is a huge person, incredibly strong and will not see 215-230 anytime soon. He has also proven he can still run ok and seems to be quick enough at 3rd. Hoping he gets to 260 but still believe he has tons (no pun intended) of value as he is.

    rdehring

    rdehring 5,169

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Speaking personally, I have no issue with Sano being overweight, other than a belief that it will limit his long term ceiling.

     

    I fully expect him to crush 30+ HRs in 2018 and for many seasons beyond. Being a 1B or DH instead of a capable 3B and doing so limits his value significantly however.

    I really hope you are right and that he does hit 30 HR this season.  With his off field issue behind him and that type of production, maybe we can then trade him for a top pitcher.  

     

    I think the point of your article is right on.  And the best value the Twins can get from Sano unfortunately may be what they can get in return.  When to pull the trigger and how to maximize that return should be foremost on their agenda.

    Guest

    Guest

  • Guests

    • Posted

    I don't understand how people can see the number 290 lbs and think that is remotely acceptable for a baseball player, one that is expected to play 3B no less. He could legitimately show up to a Vikings practice and not look out of place on the OL or DL.

     

    He doesn't have to look like Giancarlo Stanton out there. He's always been a big guy and will be heavier than other players. That's fine. 290 lbs is not fine. At all. At some point it will affect his performance.

     

    Sano is only 24. What is he going to weigh when he is 30?

    He weighs about 40-50 pounds more than Miguel Cabrera, who is also a large fellow and may be taller.

    BuxtonBandwagon

    BuxtonBandwagon 50

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

     

    Can Sano get better if he gets in a better shape?  Maybe, maybe not

    Can he can in a better shape based on his genetics?  Maybe, maybe not

     

     

    These aren't maybe, maybe not questions. These are yes and yes. No doubt if Sano gets in better shape it would lengthen his career, ceteris parabis. And obviously no matter what he does he's going to be a big guy, but there's a difference between 290 and 250 lbs. Even if that keeps him a little quicker or more agile for a year so he can be a 3rd baseman through age 28 instead of age 26. 

     

    I like Sano and I know he'll end up at 1B/DH, but no doubt he should be busting his butt every day to be at 3B because his value becomes a lot greater to the Twins.

     

    KirbyDome89

    KirbyDome89 6,208

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

    Sure. But 290-300 pounds? Are you kidding me? 

    He's 6'4" and he's coming off leg surgery. I'm not surprised that he put on a few pounds in the offseason, nor I worry about him shedding those once he starts running and moving around on the field. 

     

    If the numbers are to be believed he weighted 230 lbs at age 19. How often do you see kids that size at that age? We keep trying to assign conventional weight standards to a guy that is anything but normal.  

    Edited by KirbyDome89
    Kelly Vance

    Kelly Vance 951

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    The Fat Kid was the greatest Twin ever and nobody paid him a nickel for his glove. Still, Sano's obesity shows a lack of self respect, and self respect is what fuels great players. This guy is destined for a short career that, looking back, will be disappointing. 

    mazeville

    mazeville 1,447

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    And those offensive lineman run faster than you. Athletes have changed. The days of the Jack Clark sluggers is done.

     

    Sano is over weight, I don't think anyone is arguing against this. I think there is some serious disagreement over how much he's overweight and how much that affects his play on the field. Since he's recovering from a leg injury, added weight isn't surprising. I suspect he'll be lighter by the end of ST. I don't think his weight has been negatively affecting him.

     

    I would argue that it is.

     

    In 2016, Sano had an .823 OPS in the first half, and a .738 OPS in the second half.

     

    Last year, .906 OPS in the first half, .742 in the second half. 

     

    Maybe that's not conditioning. Maybe pitchers figure him out. But man he went from Jose Abreu to Ryon Healy last year.

     

    By the way, Sano's .844 OPS would have been 13th best among the league's first basemen. Right behind Yonder Alonso and ahead of Mark Reynolds. It would have been 9th among third basemen. His bat plays better at third.

     

     



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