Miguel Sano was poked and prodded all last season because of his defensive weaknesses in the outfield and at third base, but the 260 pounder is flashing the leather on a much more consistent basis through 16 games this season.
Sano put his leather and arm on display a couple of times in Minnesota’s 8-1 win over the Rangers Tuesday night. He robbed Carlos Gomez of a bunt hit (video above) with a barehanded play in the first inning and later took a hit away from Mike Napoli on a diving play to his left.
“The bunt was the highlight for me,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “We tried to back him off on a count knowing Gomez’s tendencies, and yet Gomez wisely, somehow perfectly saw that he backed up, and he tried to beat him. It’s just amazing that a man with that size has that quickness and ability to finish that play.”
Sano made 15 errors in 42 games at third base in 2016 and so far in 2017 he has only two errors. His fielding percentage at the hot corner has gone up considerably, from .896 to .953.
He also went 3-4 at the plate with a double and an estimated 437-foot home run that started the Twins’ seven-run fifth inning.
Twins radio announcer Corey Provus thought Sano’s game Tuesday was his best all around game of his career.
