Peter Labuza
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As the Padres look toward rebuilding the magic from last year on what is likely to be a reduced payroll, AJ Preller has made at least one curious minor league signing: Jose Miranda. The minor league contract, first reported by Aram Leighton, includes an invite to Spring Training. While it might not amount to anything, there’s a chance that Miranda could mirror another AL Central cast-off turned into a monster hitter by the Padres. If you’ve heard of Miranda, there is likely one of two reasons. First, he is the cousin of Hamilton and Encanto creator Lin Manuel-Miranda. The second was his surprising hitting steak; Miranda knocked 12 hits in consecutive at-bats, the first time ever in the Expansion League Era that dates to 1961. (For the pedantic, it also included one walk in the middle. But that makes it a plate appearance rather than an at-bat). Unfortunately, that spotlight has dimmed considerably for the hitter: last season was spent almost exclusively with Minnesota’s Triple A team, the St. Paul Saints, where he posted a brutal .597 OPS. A Puerto Rican native, the Twins drafted Miranda in the second round of the MLB Draft in 2016. In 2021, he shot up the prospect board with a .973 OPS between the team’s Double-A and Triple-A teams. His 2022 rookie campaign, mostly as a third baseman, included an impressive 15 home runs and 25 doubles with a .751 OPS over just under 500 plate appearances. The 2023 season, however, put a dent in the rookie sensation. He lacked both the power as well as swing discipline that solidified his spot in the line up, finally sitting out the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Miranda quickly rebounded for the 2024 season. After Royce Lewis injured himself on Opening Day, Miranda quickly slotted back into his third base spot and proved his worth. Trading some power and few walks, he focused in on the swing zone while becoming a chase hitter, finding his way to difficult pitches to keep plate appearances alive. He eventually posted an impressive .319/.316/.510 through the end of July, including that impressive hitting streak. As Miranda told the Minnesota writers, “I’m extremely happy where I am right now. I have to keep it rolling.” Reader, he did not keep it rolling. After July, Miranda posted just a 53 WRC+ in the Twins’ 2024 season collapse that kept them outside the playoffs. While no one player can be responsible, his 63% drop was the worst among the flailing team. With Lewis back for 2025 and Miranda’s defense at third already considered subpar (he posted -7 Outs Above Average in 2024), the Twins slotted him as a potential 1B/DH combo. But just a couple weeks into the season, the team sent him down to Triple-A where a freak accident would sideline any comeback. While at a local Target, Miranda accidentally caught a 24-pack of water bottles awkwardly after it slipped out of his hands—enough to mess with whatever mechanics he had going. After returning, Miranda continued to find contact but ended up under the Mendoza Line for the St. Paul Saints with a .214 BABIP. Although he was never meant to be a slugger, any power felt drained. Even after the fire sale left the Twins in need of anyone with a glove, Miranda remained in the minors before the team cleared him off the 40-man roster earlier this off season. But that does not mean his story has to end there. If there’s a comp for Preller, it is certainly Gavin Sheets. Signed last year to a minor league deal, Sheets smashed a game-tying pinch-hit homer on Opening Day and kept himself in the line-up all year long with incredible clutches. While Sheets attributed his success to simply joining a winning team, he made critical adjustments across his swing profile, becoming one of the more dominant at pulling balls in the air, laying off first pitches, and significantly increasing his bat speed. While the Padres have signaled some interest in a reunion with Luis Arráez, Miranda could slide in with Sheets as a platoon at first base., Miranda’s previous success is more than Sheets ever had with Chicago; it’s now about simply unlocking what previously occurred. If anything, Minnesota has had a unique problem in recent years developing hitters, especially in their transition between Triple A and the majors. Any minor league contract is basically a lottery ticket; the Padres could score another huge jackpot if they can unlock his power. But this time, Miranda better not throw away his shot. View full article
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As the Padres look toward rebuilding the magic from last year on what is likely to be a reduced payroll, AJ Preller has made at least one curious minor league signing: Jose Miranda. The minor league contract, first reported by Aram Leighton, includes an invite to Spring Training. While it might not amount to anything, there’s a chance that Miranda could mirror another AL Central cast-off turned into a monster hitter by the Padres. If you’ve heard of Miranda, there is likely one of two reasons. First, he is the cousin of Hamilton and Encanto creator Lin Manuel-Miranda. The second was his surprising hitting steak; Miranda knocked 12 hits in consecutive at-bats, the first time ever in the Expansion League Era that dates to 1961. (For the pedantic, it also included one walk in the middle. But that makes it a plate appearance rather than an at-bat). Unfortunately, that spotlight has dimmed considerably for the hitter: last season was spent almost exclusively with Minnesota’s Triple A team, the St. Paul Saints, where he posted a brutal .597 OPS. A Puerto Rican native, the Twins drafted Miranda in the second round of the MLB Draft in 2016. In 2021, he shot up the prospect board with a .973 OPS between the team’s Double-A and Triple-A teams. His 2022 rookie campaign, mostly as a third baseman, included an impressive 15 home runs and 25 doubles with a .751 OPS over just under 500 plate appearances. The 2023 season, however, put a dent in the rookie sensation. He lacked both the power as well as swing discipline that solidified his spot in the line up, finally sitting out the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Miranda quickly rebounded for the 2024 season. After Royce Lewis injured himself on Opening Day, Miranda quickly slotted back into his third base spot and proved his worth. Trading some power and few walks, he focused in on the swing zone while becoming a chase hitter, finding his way to difficult pitches to keep plate appearances alive. He eventually posted an impressive .319/.316/.510 through the end of July, including that impressive hitting streak. As Miranda told the Minnesota writers, “I’m extremely happy where I am right now. I have to keep it rolling.” Reader, he did not keep it rolling. After July, Miranda posted just a 53 WRC+ in the Twins’ 2024 season collapse that kept them outside the playoffs. While no one player can be responsible, his 63% drop was the worst among the flailing team. With Lewis back for 2025 and Miranda’s defense at third already considered subpar (he posted -7 Outs Above Average in 2024), the Twins slotted him as a potential 1B/DH combo. But just a couple weeks into the season, the team sent him down to Triple-A where a freak accident would sideline any comeback. While at a local Target, Miranda accidentally caught a 24-pack of water bottles awkwardly after it slipped out of his hands—enough to mess with whatever mechanics he had going. After returning, Miranda continued to find contact but ended up under the Mendoza Line for the St. Paul Saints with a .214 BABIP. Although he was never meant to be a slugger, any power felt drained. Even after the fire sale left the Twins in need of anyone with a glove, Miranda remained in the minors before the team cleared him off the 40-man roster earlier this off season. But that does not mean his story has to end there. If there’s a comp for Preller, it is certainly Gavin Sheets. Signed last year to a minor league deal, Sheets smashed a game-tying pinch-hit homer on Opening Day and kept himself in the line-up all year long with incredible clutches. While Sheets attributed his success to simply joining a winning team, he made critical adjustments across his swing profile, becoming one of the more dominant at pulling balls in the air, laying off first pitches, and significantly increasing his bat speed. While the Padres have signaled some interest in a reunion with Luis Arráez, Miranda could slide in with Sheets as a platoon at first base., Miranda’s previous success is more than Sheets ever had with Chicago; it’s now about simply unlocking what previously occurred. If anything, Minnesota has had a unique problem in recent years developing hitters, especially in their transition between Triple A and the majors. Any minor league contract is basically a lottery ticket; the Padres could score another huge jackpot if they can unlock his power. But this time, Miranda better not throw away his shot.
