Twins' Sano gets visa, will start in Fort Myers

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III , Star Tribune

Last update: October 22, 2009 - 7:23 AM

The Twins' pursuit of top prospect Miguel Angel Sano has officially paid off. The club learned this week that he's been granted a work visa to play in the United States next year.

Sano, 16, a power-hitting shortstop who's expected to wind up at third base or the outfield, will now receive a $3.15 million bonus that was contingent upon obtaining the visa. It's the second-highest bonus ever for a Latin American prospect, not counting Cuban-born players.

Instead of spending a year or two at the Twins' academy in the Dominican Republic with other prospects from the area, Sano is expected to begin his career at Fort Myers, Fla., next year as part of the organization's rookie team in the Gulf Coast league.

He's already 6-3 and 190 pounds, which led to questions about his age and identity. Teams remained cautious about signing him even after Major League Baseball investigated his identity, but the Twins stayed in contact and stepped in with an offer in September.

"This was worth the risk," said Mike Radcliff, the Twins' vice president in charge of player personnel.

Sano traveled to the Twin Cities earlier this month -- on a tourist visa -- for a battery of tests and watched Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees at the Metrodome.

"In three days here, he ate like 10 hamburgers," Radcliff said. "He was living high on the hog."

Minor-league staffing

The Twins on Wednesday officially announced the appointment of Tom Nieto as the new manager of Class AAA Rochester. Nieto, who led Class AA New Britain to a 72-69 record and the playoffs this season, replaces Stan Cliburn, who was let go after last season.

But the big news was that popular Class AAA hitting coach Riccardo Ingram will split time between Rochester and New Britain next season. Ingram 43, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in late June and left the team for treatment at Duke University. Ingram, speaking from his home outside of Atlanta, said he's completed radiation treatments, is currently taking chemotherapy pills and has been told he should be good to go by January.

"I've been feeling good,'' Ingram said. "I haven't missed a beat."

Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor leagues, will allow Ingram to split time between Rochester and New Britain because New Britain is closer to Duke.

Jeff Smith will replace Nieto as manager at New Britain. Jake Mauer, Joe Mauer's brother, will manage Class A Fort Myers after managing the Gulf Coast League Twins this season.

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