Top 15 Prospects: #2
By Fetch
Who: Miguel Sano
Position: All over the place
How Acquired: International free agent
Highest level reached in 2009: N/A
There’s really nothing to go on stats-wise in Sano’s case, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t tons of hype surrounding him. Sano’s $3.15 million bonus is the second largest ever for an amateur free agent, after Michel Ynoa, who signed with the A’s last year.
Sano, who will be 17 this Summer, is already 6’3″ and almost 200 lbs. He is a shortstop right now, but there is almost no chance he doesn’t end up a corner OF. Sano has gotten rave reviews for his athleticism and raw power, but it is acknowledged that mechanically he has some work to do. Fortunately one of the most famous characteristics of the Twins system is their patience with players. I wouldn’t expect to see Sano in the majors until maybe 2015, though he has said his goal is to get there in 3 years.
Jim Rantz, Minnesota’s long time minor league director, said about Sano “We haven’t had him around for long, but you can already see he’s got tremendous upside with a lot of skill, a good frame, and he’s going to fill out even more.”
I have Sano ranked #2 because, although he is a long ways away and is far from a sure thing, his ceiling is so high that if he hits it he will be an absolute monster.