The Twins announced this morning they’ve recalled infield prospect Jose Miranda and left-hander Jovani Moran from Triple-A St. Paul. In corresponding moves, first baseman Miguel Sanó and outfielder Kyle Garlick were placed on the 10-day injured list. Righty Cole Sands and catcher José Godoy were optioned to St. Paul as part of the culling of active rosters from 28 to 26.
The most notable move in the sequence is the promotion of Miranda, who is headed to the big leagues for the first time. Minnesota selected the 23-year-old onto their 40-man roster last offseason, but he began the year on optional assignment back to St. Paul. The right-handed hitter is off to a bit of a slow start, posting a .256/.295/.442 showing through his first 90 plate appearances.
That’s likely not of huge concern to the Twins, as Miranda tore the cover off the ball in the minors last season. The Puerto Rico native began the year with Double-A Wichita. Miranda hit .345/.408/.588 through 47 games with the Wind Surge, earning a bump to St. Paul by the end of June. He picked up right where he left off at the minors’ highest level, closing out the year with a .343/.397/.563 showing in 373 plate appearances for the Saints.
That high minors domination positioned Miranda as a near-term MLB option for the Twins while elevating his prospect status. Over the offseason, each of Baseball America, FanGraphs, Keith Law of the Athletic and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN slotted Miranda among the back half of their Top 100 prospects. Reports unanimously praised his combination of bat-to-ball skills and raw power, although all four outlets suggested he’s a fringy defender at best at the hot corner. Miranda has also posted low walk rates throughout his time in the minors, although that’s in large part due to the bat control for which he’s lauded. Given his ability to put the bat on the ball, he’s not one to work many deep counts, keeping both his walk and strikeout totals down.
With Sanó headed to the IL, Miranda looks likely to play a multi-positional infield role for the time being. All 14 of his defensive outings this season have come at third base, but he also had a fair bit of run at second and first base last year (in addition to briefer stops at shortstop and in left field). Carlos Correa and Jorge Polanco are locked in up the middle in Minnesota, with Gio Urshela and bat-first utilityman Luis Arraez the top options at the corners. Miranda could work his way into the corner infield/DH mix, at least until Sanó returns.
It’s unclear how long Sanó will be sidelined after he hit the IL due to left knee soreness last night. The team announced it today as a sprain, with the placement retroactive to May 1. Garlick, meanwhile, suffered a right calf strain.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Anyone know why some of these foreign born players do the eyebrow shaving thing?
It’s like a Brazilian wax for dudes.
John Rocker sucks balls.
He’s not foreign-born. he’s from Puerto Rico.
So these guys have been watching too much Vanilla Ice from the 80’s?
Why are you concerned about this?
Huge news! Miranda is a stud
10 name
He’ll play after they read him his rights
If Miranda puts up solid numbers there’s no reason to even bring Sano back. Honestly, even if he puts up “decent” numbers.
This was my first thought too. Sano is excellent when he’s on but even worse when he’s off, he’s always been a DH playing out of position and I’m tired of watching him strikeout 3 times a night. He’ll get another opportunity with another club.
I’m just happy the Twins found a way to remove Sano from lineup without DFA. Wish they could start him at AAA every year.
Sano is a 2 outcomes player either strikeout or homerun.
Or injury. 3 outcomes. Next to Buxton he’s been one of their long-time injury prone bench warmers.
Even poor numbers would still be an improvement.
Miranda has actually started 5 games this season at 1B. Please fix this MLB TR
Also, .300/.351/.520 over past 2 weeks
Sano perhaps could use a reset in AAA on a rehab assignment, but is the ball in AAA any different than the ball in the Majors?
I was at a Saints game where Miranda started at 1B. also believe he has a handful of starts otherwise at that posisition. Given the Twins have used Arraez there the past few days, I imagine he will see most his time at first
Do the twins get an extra year of service time now for Miranda?
The picture accompanying the post, of him throwing to 1B, is awesome.
Hamilton.