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Minnesota Twins: 5 bold predictions for the second half of the 2019 season

By Chris Schad

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 11: Nelson Cruz #23, C.J. Cron #24 and Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate a three-run home run by Cron against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning of game two of a doubleheader on May 11, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Tigers 8-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 11: Nelson Cruz #23, C.J. Cron #24 and Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate a three-run home run by Cron against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning of game two of a doubleheader on May 11, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Tigers 8-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JUNE 8: Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins walks to the dugout after striking out against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on June 8, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Twins 9-3. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 8: Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins walks to the dugout after striking out against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning at Comerica Park on June 8, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Twins 9-3. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Sano will figure things out at the plate

Another point of contention for Twins fans has been the performance of Miguel Sano during the first half of the season. Returning from the injured list in mid-May, the former All-Star has left a lot to be desired hitting just .236 on the season and striking out 64 times in 148 at-bats. To make things worse, it doesn’t seem like Sano is picking up the ball, which also has curbed his effectiveness and placed him in early holes.

So why do I think there’s some optimism for Sano in the second half? Because he’s basically stuck in April mode.

Sano spent most of the offseason attempting to get in shape after a disastrous 2018 campaign and looked good in winter ball before injuring himself during the team championship celebration. That injury prevented him from even swinging a bat through spring training and left him without facing live pitching until he began a rehab assignment in mid-April.

With a rush to get him back to the major leagues, Sano struggled in the first couple of months, but has also matched his home run total (13) from all of 2018. The 26-year old also carries a .896 OPS through the first month and a half of action and once he gets his timing down, a lot more of those check swings should turn into even more solid contact.

You can jump off the Sano bandwagon if you want, but I believe there is a good chance he has a major rebound.

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