Here's the skinny -- well, that might be the wrong word in his case -- on Miguel Sano.
At the plate: Sano is listed at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds. He bats right-handed.
His background: From San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, which has produced a number of major-league players (it is often referred to as "The Cradle of Shortstops"), including former Twins second baseman Luis Castillo and Robinson Cano. Sano grew up in poverty, often playing baseball with a "ball out of a sponge with a sock."
The signing: Sano was eligible to sign with a MLB team at 16. The Twins beat out several suitors, giving him $3.15 million -- a club record for an international prospect at the time -- in 2009.
The film star: Sano's journey from playing in the Dominican Republic to signing with the Twins is the subject of the 2011 documentary "Ballplayer: Pelotero." The filmmakers are working on a sequel -- "The Miguel Sano Story" -- culminating in Sano's promotion to the majors.
The injury: Sano hurt his elbow while playing winter ball in 2013. At 2014 spring training, he was diagnosed with a high-grade partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow and had Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire season.
The personality: Sano has been described as having an "infectious personality." Despite English not being his native language, he has taken great strides in learning it and regularly conducts interviews in English, which was not the case when he first arrived. In spring training this year, Sano was eager to exclaim "Little Miguel Sano is back!" Sano probably hasn't been described as little since he was born.
Maturity: Sano started playing in the Twins organization at 17. While he just turned 22 in May, he's a veteran of professional baseball. "He's grown immeasurably since the first time he came to Minnesota at the age of 16 or 17," Twins president Dave St. Peter said earlier this year. "He's grown up. He's a much more mature young man. You can just sense the excitement from guys like Miguel about what's on the horizon in terms of their career."
Defense: Sano has primarily played third base in the minors (392 games) with a sprinkling at shortstop back in 2010 (34 games) and one game at first base in 2012. His career fielding percentage at third is a paltry .901. He had a .901 percentage in 63 games for Double-A Chattanooga this season and a .932 combined for two teams in 2013.
"He needs work on that, there's no question," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said back in March. "But he does have arm. He does have agility. His hands are fine. Now it's just a matter of putting it all together. Those errors that he makes are unforced. We've got to firm him up."
In May, Ryan said of Sano's defense: "It never has been a concern for me. I've never had any concern about his fielding. I still don't."
With his call-up to Minnesota, and with Trevor Plouffe ensconced at third base, it appears as though Sano will be the designated hitter, meaning he need only worry about offense. Which brings us to . . .
Offense: Sano has hit well at every level, especially for power. He owns a .278 batting average, .373 on-base percentage and .564 slugging percentage. He has never played above Double-A, but, then again, he also just turned 22.
Power: When he was 18, Sano hit 20 home runs in rookie ball. At 19, he increased the total to 28 in Single-A. Then at 20, playing in Single-A and Double-A, he combined for 35 homers. This season Sano has 15 home runs in 66 games at Double-A.
Look out lefties: Here are Sano's slash lines (average/on-base/slugging) the past couple of years in the minors against left-handed pitchers: 2015 -- .375/.479/.850; 2013 -- .299/.377/.806 (Double-A) and .301/.363/.521 (Single-A).
He's on fire: Coming off the Tommy John surgery, Sano started out slow. He hit just .159/.303/.381 in April. But in May, he upped that to .303/.374/.556 and in June .329/.432/.658.
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