Miguel Sano had himself a moment in right field Wednesday night, turning a single into an RBI double with an ill-timed dive that was not only short but more than an arms length from the ball.
Almost immediately I saw predictions in my Twitter feed that this "experiment" will soon end and declarations that it must.
Inure your eyes to the ugliness, folks. Sano in the outfield is an organizational decision. Crucial parts of the lineup are shaped around that decision. It ain't changing.
Sano is obviously a poor outfielder. Over the past decade, the Twins have paraded the likes of Josh Willingham, Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young, Oswaldo Arcia and Jason Kubel as full-time or nearly full time outfielders, Sano is faster than any of those five and throws better than all except perhaps Cuddyer. He's just inexperienced. And moments such as that ill-advised dive is how he gets that experience.
Sano will probably win more games with his bat than he loses with his glove.
ReplyDeleteAnd, as you point out, he is better in the outfield than guys you mentioned but Jim Thome and though not a Twin, Frank Howard was not a gazelle either.
Besides, if he is 280#'s and counting First Base is a better position than third and that is occupied too.