Major League Baseball has announced that Twins rookie slugger Miguel Sano and manager Paul Molitor are finalists for American League post season awards.
The Baseball Writes Association of America named Sano one of three finalists for the American League Rookie of the Year award. He joined the Twins in July and hit 18 home runs with 52 RBIs, while hitting .269 in 80 games.
.@SanoMiguel has been named as a finalist for A.L. Rookie of the Year. Congrats, Miguel! pic.twitter.com/i5Zx3tAjip
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) November 10, 2015
Sano joins Houston shortstop Carlos Correa and Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor as the three finalists for the honor.
Correa was named the American League’s Outstanding Rookie by the MLB Players Association.
Sano is currently behind Trevor Plouffe at third base, and the Twins have asked the 22-year-old to play some in the outfield during winter ball in the Dominican Republic.
But with an outfield full of young and up-and-coming prospects, the Twins may also consider trading Plouffe, who hit 22 homers himself for the Twins last season.
Miguel Sano is also an option at 3B. Twins could flip Trevor Plouffe for a catcher potentially. Or pursue Matt Wieters. Hot after a catcher.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 9, 2015
Molitor named finalist for A.L. Manager of the Year
Paul Molitor has been named a finalist for A.L. Manager of the Year. Congrats, Mollie! pic.twitter.com/mf5ZBF0791
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) November 10, 2015
The BWAA also named Molitor a finalist for the American League’s Manager of the Year.
During his first season as the Twins skipper, Molitor guided the club to an 83-79 record, breaking a streak of four straight 90-loss seasons.
Molitor helped keep the Twins in contention for an A.L. wildcard spot, right up until the final series of the regular season, when they were swept by the eventual World Series Champion Kansas City Royals.
The awards will be announced on Nov. 17th during a special on the MLB Network.
