News
Twins prospect Sano issued work visa
Club hasn't decided first step for 16-year-old's careerBy Kelly Thesier / MLB.com
10/21/09 5:15 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins cleared perhaps the biggest hurdle in completing their deal with Miguel Angel Sano -- the top Dominican prospect they signed earlier this month -- as the 16-year-old was issued a work visa this week. Twins vice president of player personnel Mike Radcliff confirmed Wednesday that Sano has received his visa and is free to play in the United States. "We sent it in and expedited it so we could get an answer as soon as possible, and we got good news back," Radcliff said. "He's got his work visa for 2010." The Twins signed Sano to a $3.15 million signing bonus, the largest spent by the club on the international market, but the deal was contingent on Sano getting his work visa. Earlier this year, Major League Baseball conducted an age investigation on Sano, and it could only confirm his identity, not his exact age. That led to some teams withdrawing from their pursuit of Sano, since his 6-foot-3 and 190-pound frame and skills on the field fueled questions as to whether he was truly 16. Sano came to Minnesota on a travel visa a little over a week ago during the Twins' American League Division Series with the Yankees and underwent a series of physicals. But while everything looked on track, there was still the question whether Sano would get the necessary work visa from the U.S. Consulate in the Dominican Republic looming until this week. "All of the different conversations we had with his parents and agents and all the people surrounding him, we felt like he was going to be cleared," Radcliff said. "But until the process is completed, you never really know for sure. Now we've got the official word." The Twins are still determining Sano's next step, Radcliff said. He is expected to play for the club's rookie Gulf Coast League squad in Fort Myers in the summer, but it hasn't been decided whether Sano will be brought to the U.S. for the start of Spring Training or whether he'll first take part in a program in the Dominican before he arrives for extended Spring Training. Radcliff said the club will likely determine what the right plan of attack is for Sano's progress in the next month. For now, the Twins are just excited to know he will definitely be able to play stateside in 2010. "This is a big step, and we are excited to get him going," Radcliff said. "The next step is to get him in a uniform and get him rolling."Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
