Miguel Sano's career has been marked by prodigious power, periods of struggle, and a constant battle with weight. His journey reflects a dedication to improvement, a willingness to adapt, and the influence of veteran leadership.
Early Career and Initial Success
Miguel Sano burst onto the scene with the Twins in his rookie season, hitting 18 homers in just 80 games. He continued to impress, earning an All-Star selection in 2017 after hitting 27 home runs and posting an .857 OPS. However, a stress reaction in his shin during that season marked the beginning of his weight-related challenges.
Weight Issues and Performance Fluctuations
The weight issue began that season as Sanó suffered a stress reaction in his shin and was shut down for the final month. Sanó was sent down to Fort Myers in June of 2018 to work on his conditioning and finished the year hitting .199/.281/.298 with 13 homers and 41 RBI in 71 games.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Sano's weight became a recurring concern. In 2018, he was demoted to Single-A Fort Myers to focus on conditioning. Although he returned in better shape for the 2019 season, the issue resurfaced, impacting his long-term value and positional flexibility.
The 30-Pound Pledge
Coming off one of the most discouraging and yet weirdly encouraging seasons of his career, Miguel Sano said he intends to do more with less in 2022. In late 2021, after a season of inconsistent performance, Sano publicly committed to losing 30 pounds in the offseason. "I got my plan for the offseason: Try to lose like around 30 pounds," Sano said Friday. "That's something I put for myself, for my life, my future. … Like, I want to be in better shape. That's one of my goals in the offseason." This decision was driven by a desire to improve his overall game, maintain his position in the lineup, and contribute more effectively to the team.
Read also: Understanding Fad Diets
Offseason Transformation and Training
Except for a brief trip or two to visit family in the Dominican Republic, Sano will split his time this winter between Minnesota - where his son Dylan is enrolled in grade school - and Fort Myers, where he, his nutritionist, and Twins coaches and trainers hope to document a transformation. He'll work on his swing, and try to make his second-half approach, focused on using the entire field and not just pulling the ball, permanent. Sano planned to dedicate his offseason to rigorous training, splitting time between the Twins' facilities in Fort Myers, Florida, and Minneapolis. This commitment involved working closely with nutritionists and trainers to achieve his weight loss goal and improve his conditioning.
Influences and Motivation
Sano credited veteran player Nelson Cruz with influencing his decision to prioritize fitness. He recognized the importance of maintaining a consistent training plan and adapting his approach based on game situations.
Fresh Start with the Angels
After his contract with the Twins expired after the 2022 season, Miguel Sanó said he’s lost 58 pounds. In a bid to revive his career, Sano signed a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He arrived at spring training noticeably slimmer, having lost a reported 58 pounds. “He looks real good,” Angels Ron Washington said, via the Orange County Register. “And he’s in a great fame of mind.” This physical transformation demonstrated his commitment to revitalizing his career and contributing to his new team.
Overweight Concerns and Accountability
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. Prior to his weight loss, Sano's conditioning had been a recurring concern, with some suggesting a lack of accountability on his part. Despite the Twins' efforts to provide nutritional support, Sano had struggled to maintain his weight, impacting his positional value and overall performance.
Impact on Performance and Future Prospects
Sano's weight loss was seen as a positive step towards improving his overall game. While some cautioned that losing weight could potentially affect his power, most believed that it would enhance his agility, endurance, and overall health. The Angels viewed his signing as a low-risk move with the potential for significant upside, recognizing his ability to crush baseballs when in top form.
Read also: Lung Cancer Awareness
Adapting to an Approach Change
The Twins hitting coaches challenged Sanó to implement the change in approach in mid-May when he was off to the worst start of his career. Through May 14, Sanó had a .489 OPS and only two home runs while striking out 32 times in 82 plate appearances. Sanó responded immediately before going into another spell. Coupled with wanting to give playing time to rookies Alex Kirilloff and Trevor Larnach, Sanó found himself playing part time in mid-June. Sanó continued to see limited at-bats until Kirilloff underwent season-ending surgery and Nelson Cruz was traded, announcements that occurred on consecutive days.
Second Half Surge
Sanó has responded well to the consistent at-bats, hitting .236/.340/.505 with 15 home runs in 250 plate appearances. He’s also reduced his strikeout rate over that stretch, whiffing a much more palatable 32.4 percent of the time. But Sanó, who has a $14 million team option for 2023, thinks he’s capable of more and wants to prove it.
Read also: Luis Miguel's Workout Routine