bean5302

I see a lot of the same arguments which I don't feel have a great deal of merit. The concepts that body types or genetics have a significant impact on weight hasn't been founded in science based on any articles or papers I've read about. The idea somebody can be 6'4" and ripped at 290-300 lbs isn't realistic. Even a natural bodybuilder won't weigh more than 240-260 lbs at Miguel Sano's height. Hrbek was used as an example of how a poorly conditioned 1B can still be effective, but Hrbek never exceeded about 250 lbs and once Hrbek hit that weight, his performance tanked and he started getting hurt a lot. Hrbek's best years were played under 240 lbs. Ortiz was a DH and a far superior hitter than Sano. Ortiz capped out around 270 lbs before he began to lighten up and played his final years around 230lbs. Prince Fielder, who was a far superior hitter to Sano, played at a max of 275 lbs (though 4" shorter than Sano) and his weight ended his elite bat at age 28 and chased him from the game entirely at age 32. Ryan Howard maxed out at 275 lbs and wanted to play at 235 lbs so he could increase his value. The history is long and well documented on this issue. Sano will be at his best playing at UNDER 240 lbs. Playing at 235 will not hurt Sano's power. It will increase Sano's bat speed. It will increase Sano's sprint speed. It will increase Sano's range. It will improve Sano's durability. It will improve Sano's endurance. While Sano may be able to continue to crush baseballs at 290lbs, his average and on base percentage will be significantly lower and his value in the field will be wiped out as a result. Sano continuing to play at extreme weights will kill his value to the Twins as a player or a trade candidate and it WILL end his career maybe even 10 years early. I'd like Sano to play the best he can for the Twins or whatever team he winds up with long term if not the Twins. I'd like him to maximize his value for my favorite baseball team. If he wants to eat his way to 400+ lbs, that's his prerogative. I won't be upset or dislike him or do anything other than wish him well for it. If he's happy, that's great. All that aside, he won't be nearly as good as he could have been or nearly as valuable to the Twins as he could have been.

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.

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.