Miguel Sano hits monster home run in Dominican Winter League debut

Once one of the most promising prospects in baseball (not to mention, an MLB All-Star in just 2017), Miguel Sano did not have the best season in 2018, to say the least. After having a titanium rod inserted into his leg over the 2017 - 2018 offseason, the big guy at third base was slow to recover, and ended up stumbling so hard through the beginning of the season the Twins demoted him all the way to High-A Ft. Myers.

Though he eventually made his way back to the (trade-depleted) Twins later in the season, the Twins made it clear that Sano had a lot of work to do to get back in proper form over the 2018 - 2019 offseason. The offseason plan for Sano included close supervision, and some time in the Dominican Winter League.

Well, Sano made his debut for Las Estrellas — his hometown team in the Dominican Winter League — Tuesday night, and he did this to a pitch from Brewers Triple-A pitcher Tristan Archer:

Here’s a “more official” view of the home run:

In case you were wondering: No, that was not a walk-off home run. It was the game-winner, but that home run came in the 7th inning. In fact, former-Twin Fernando Rodney came in to pitch for the opposing Leones de Escogido after Sano’s dinger.

That kind of celebrating is just how they roll in La República Dominicana, and hell, I like it.

As previously mentioned, getting Miguel Sano back into top form has been apriority for the Twins this offseason. Some have suspected that the Twins has a possible mentor for Sano in mind when they signed fellow Dominican and seasoned-veteran Nelson Cruz earlier this offseason.

Of course, Sano’s ultimate improvement remains to be seen.

(Hat Tip to Shawn Flaherty!)