Third baseman Miguel Sano isn't the fastest member of the Chattanooga Lookouts or the most consistent at the plate.
Yet when Sano connects with a pitch, he likely will send it farther than anybody else.
Miguel Sano"Sano probably has the most power in our organization," Minnesota Twins player development director Brad Steil said. "He was out for about 18 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, so we're hoping he can get back on track and knock some of that rust off and continue to develop. When he played in Double-A two years ago, he hit .235, but he did hit some home runs, and he also has a really strong arm at third base."
The Lookouts (4-1) are scheduled to play their Southern League home opener tonight at 7:15, when they welcome the Birmingham Barons to AT&T Field.
Sano, a 6-foot-4, 260-pounder from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic, was signed by the Twins in 2010. Despite last year's absence, he entered this season as the No. 12 overall prospect in the minors according to MLB.com and No. 13 according to Baseball America.
His star power was established in 2013, when he hit a combined .280 with 35 home runs and 103 RBIs between Fort Myers in the high Single-A Florida State League and New Britain (Conn.) in the Double-A Eastern League.
"I want him to be healthy every day," Lookouts manager Doug Mientkiewicz said. "He is talented enough to where if he is on the field every day, he will perform. He leads by example, and when he was out last year, I didn't miss the 30 homers and I didn't miss the 100 RBIs. I missed the fact that he held his teammates accountable."
Said Sano: "It's been hard to go through one year when you don't play ball. It was difficult for me having to think about that, but I am OK right now."
Sano had some company within the Twins organization as to a frustrating 2014. Current Lookouts center fielder Byron Buxton, MLB.com's top prospect in the minors, suffered two wrist injuries and a concussion last year and played just 31 games.
"It's always great to play with Byron," Sano said. "He's a great player and a great person. I love to watch him play, because he loves baseball. I'm looking forward to playing again with all my friends."
A new year has brought a new start for Sano, who homered to center field in last Thursday's opener in Montgomery but went just 3-for-17 (.176) in the five-game series. It also has brought a new locale, with Sano giving an early thumbs-up to Chattanooga.
"It's a pretty good city," he said. "I like it. I like being here downtown, and it's better than New Britain. It's so much better."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.