Miguel Angel Sano
Encyclopedia
Miguel Angel Sano is a shortstop
from the Dominican Republic
in the Minnesota Twins
organization.
, Dominican Republic
, to a poor family. He was discovered at a young age, and worked with scouts to develop his talent. On September 29, 2009, Sano stated that he would sign a Major League Baseball
contract with the Twins, which included a $3.15 million signing bonus
. The bonus was the largest for a Latin American
player from outside of Cuba
in 2009, and the second highest bonus ever for a Dominican
amateur, second only to the $4.25 million the Oakland Athletics
paid lefthanded pitcher Michel Ynoa in 2008. It was also the highest international signing bonus in Twins history, more than the Twins spent on 70 international prospects from 2006-2008 combined. Sano's deal surpasseed the $3.1 million the St. Louis Cardinals
gave outfielder Wagner Mateo in 2009, though the Cardinals later voided the deal as a result of an eye condition. The New York Yankees
gave catcher Gary Sanchez $3 million, which fell behind Sano as the second-largest deal of the year.
The Pittsburgh Pirates
were the first team to make Sano a deal, and appeared to be his most ardent suitor, but negotiations between the two sides were at a standstill after agent Rob Plummer rejected a $2.6 million offer from the team. Sano elected to sign with the Twins over many other teams. Besides the Pirates, the Cleveland Indians
also expressed interest in Sano, and even had him come to their academy in the Dominican Republic for a workout session. The Baltimore Orioles
pursued Sano for a short time; however, they believed his value was well below his $3 million price tag. Other interested teams included the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox
.
In early 2009, Major League Baseball
conducted an age investigation, a prerequisite for every player signed in Latin America, that confirmed Sano's identity but could not verify his exact age. Sano claimed to be 16 years old, but there had been rumors in the Dominican Republic that he was older. Twins general manager Bill Smith stated that "Sano's age and identity have probably been scrutinized more than any player in the history of the Dominican Republic," and the issues and difficulties involved actually caused Sano to lower his asking price from the $3 to $4 million bonus he was seeking when the international signing period first opened. Further, the contract was contingent upon Sano receiving a visa
from the United States
. On October 20, 2009, Sports Illustrated
reported that Sano was issued a work visa by the United States government, clearing him to play professional baseball; this was later confirmed by the Twins on December 5.
. Sano spent 2011 playing third base and shortstop for the Elizabethton Twins
, the Twins rookie league affiliate in the Appalachian League
, hitting .292 with 20 HR and 59 RBI. Following the 2011 season, Sano was rated the top prospect in the Appalachian League by Baseball America, and the top Twins prospect by Baseball Prospectus
.
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
from the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
in the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
organization.
Background
Sano was born in San Pedro de MacorísSan Pedro de Macorís
San Pedro de Macorís is a municipality and the capital of the San Pedro de Macorís province in the Dominican Republic.-Demographics:...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, to a poor family. He was discovered at a young age, and worked with scouts to develop his talent. On September 29, 2009, Sano stated that he would sign a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
contract with the Twins, which included a $3.15 million signing bonus
Signing bonus
A signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee by a company as an incentive to join that company. They are often given as a way of making a compensation package more attractive to the employee, e.g., if the annual salary is lower than he or she desires...
. The bonus was the largest for a Latin American
Latin Americans
Latin Americans are the citizens of the Latin American countries and dependencies. Latin American countries are multi-ethnic, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds. As a result, some Latin Americans don't take their nationality as an ethnicity, but identify themselves with...
player from outside of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
in 2009, and the second highest bonus ever for a Dominican
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
amateur, second only to the $4.25 million the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
paid lefthanded pitcher Michel Ynoa in 2008. It was also the highest international signing bonus in Twins history, more than the Twins spent on 70 international prospects from 2006-2008 combined. Sano's deal surpasseed the $3.1 million the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
gave outfielder Wagner Mateo in 2009, though the Cardinals later voided the deal as a result of an eye condition. The New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
gave catcher Gary Sanchez $3 million, which fell behind Sano as the second-largest deal of the year.
The Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
were the first team to make Sano a deal, and appeared to be his most ardent suitor, but negotiations between the two sides were at a standstill after agent Rob Plummer rejected a $2.6 million offer from the team. Sano elected to sign with the Twins over many other teams. Besides the Pirates, the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
also expressed interest in Sano, and even had him come to their academy in the Dominican Republic for a workout session. The Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
pursued Sano for a short time; however, they believed his value was well below his $3 million price tag. Other interested teams included the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
In early 2009, Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
conducted an age investigation, a prerequisite for every player signed in Latin America, that confirmed Sano's identity but could not verify his exact age. Sano claimed to be 16 years old, but there had been rumors in the Dominican Republic that he was older. Twins general manager Bill Smith stated that "Sano's age and identity have probably been scrutinized more than any player in the history of the Dominican Republic," and the issues and difficulties involved actually caused Sano to lower his asking price from the $3 to $4 million bonus he was seeking when the international signing period first opened. Further, the contract was contingent upon Sano receiving a visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. On October 20, 2009, Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
reported that Sano was issued a work visa by the United States government, clearing him to play professional baseball; this was later confirmed by the Twins on December 5.
Baseball career
Prior to the 2011 season, Sano was rated the third best prospect in the Twins' minor league system by Baseball AmericaBaseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
. Sano spent 2011 playing third base and shortstop for the Elizabethton Twins
Elizabethton Twins
The Elizabethton Twins are a minor league baseball team in Elizabethton, Tennessee, USA. They are a Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League, and have been a farm team of the Minnesota Twins since 1974. The Twins play home games at Joe O'Brien Field...
, the Twins rookie league affiliate in the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
, hitting .292 with 20 HR and 59 RBI. Following the 2011 season, Sano was rated the top prospect in the Appalachian League by Baseball America, and the top Twins prospect by Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus is an organization that publishes a website, BaseballProspectus.com, devoted to the sabermetric analysis of baseball. BP has a staff of regular columnists and provides advanced statistics as well player and team performance projections on the site...
.
External links
- Miguel Sano at MiLB.com