Miguel Sanó facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Miguel Sanó |
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Sanó with the Minnesota Twins in 2016
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| Free agent | |||
| Third baseman / First baseman | |||
| Born: May 11, 1993 San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic |
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| debut | |||
| July 2, 2015, for the Minnesota Twins | |||
| MLB statistics (through November 2, 2024) |
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| Batting average | .233 | ||
| Home runs | 164 | ||
| Runs batted in | 424 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Miguel Sanó, born on May 11, 1993, is a professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic. He plays first baseman and third baseman. Miguel has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels. He started playing in MLB in 2015. In 2017, he was chosen as an All-Star. Currently, he plays winter baseball for the Estrellas Orientales team in the Dominican Professional Baseball League.
Contents
Miguel Sanó's Early Life and Baseball Start
Miguel Sanó was born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. He came from a family with Haitian roots. He chose to use his mother's family name, Sanó, for baseball. This was a way to show respect for the Dominican Republic.
Becoming a Young Baseball Talent
Scouts noticed Miguel's baseball skills when he was very young. They helped him develop his talent. In 2009, Major League Baseball checked his age. This check is important for all players signed in Latin America. They confirmed who he was but could not be sure of his exact age. Miguel said he was 16, but some rumors suggested he might be older.
Signing with the Minnesota Twins
The Pittsburgh Pirates were very interested in Sanó. They offered him a deal, but his agent turned it down. Other teams like the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox also showed interest.
On September 29, 2009, Miguel Sanó decided to sign with the Minnesota Twins. His contract included a $3.15 million bonus. This was a very large bonus for a Latin American player outside of Cuba that year. It was also the second-highest bonus ever for a Dominican amateur player. The contract became official after he received a work visa for the United States.
Featured in a Documentary Film
Miguel Sanó is one of the players featured in the 2012 documentary film Ballplayer: Pelotero. The movie shows his journey during the time he was signing his first professional contract in 2009. The film was shown in theaters in New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis.
Miguel Sanó's Professional Baseball Journey
Playing in the Minor Leagues
Before the 2011 season, Baseball America magazine said Sanó was the third-best young player in the Twins' minor league system. In 2011, he played third base and shortstop for the Elizabethton Twins. He hit .292 with 20 home runs and 59 RBI. After that season, he was ranked as the top young player in the Appalachian League. He was also considered the 18th-best young player in all of baseball.
In 2012, Sanó played for the Beloit Snappers. He focused on playing third base. He hit .258 and led the Midwest League with 28 home runs and 100 RBI. Experts continued to rank him as one of the top young players in baseball.
Sanó started the 2013 season with the Fort Myers Miracle. Later that year, he moved up to the New Britain Rock Cats. He hit 35 home runs and had 103 RBI that season. In 2014, he had to miss the whole season because of an elbow injury that needed surgery. He started the 2015 season with the Chattanooga Lookouts. He hit .274 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI by the end of June.
Playing for the Minnesota Twins
Miguel Sanó made his Major League Baseball debut on July 2, 2015. He got his first RBI on July 3 and hit his first home run on July 7. He was named the American League Rookie of the Month for August 2015. He finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting that season.
In 2016, the Twins moved Sanó to right field. However, he later moved back to his usual position at third base. He finished the 2016 season hitting .236 with 25 home runs and 66 RBI.
In 2017, Sanó hit a home run on Opening Day. He was chosen as an MLB All-Star that year. He also competed in the Home Run Derby, finishing second. He ended the 2017 season with 28 home runs and 77 RBI. The Twins made it to the playoffs, but Sanó could not play due to a shin injury.
Sanó had a tough start in 2018 and was sent back to the minor leagues in June. He returned to the Twins in July. He finished the season hitting .199 with 13 home runs.
In 2019, Sanó started the season injured. He returned in May and hit a game-winning home run in August. He finished the 2019 season with a career-high 34 home runs. The Twins won their division title that year. Sanó hit his first playoff home run in the 2019 ALDS.
In January 2020, Sanó signed a three-year contract with the Twins. He moved to playing first base that season. He hit 13 home runs in the shorter 2020 season. In 2021, he hit 30 home runs and had 75 RBI. This made him one of only nine players in Twins history to have multiple seasons with 30 or more home runs.
In 2022, Sanó played in only 20 games due to a knee injury. He hit just one home run that season. The Twins decided not to keep him for the 2023 season, making him a free agent. He tried to find a new team in early 2023 but did not sign a contract.
Playing for the Los Angeles Angels
On January 23, 2024, Sanó signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He made the Angels' team for Opening Day. He played in 28 games for the Angels, hitting two home runs. On July 8, 2024, the Angels decided to release him from their team.
Miguel Sanó's Family Life
Miguel Sanó and his wife, Daniela, had a daughter in 2014. Sadly, she passed away shortly after birth due to a heart problem. In 2016, they welcomed a son named Dylan Miguel.
See also
In Spanish: Miguel Sanó para niños
