Miguel Sano Hits 3-Run Missile in LIDOM Championship; Celebrates Accordingly

By Eric Strack |

Updated: Jan 21, 2024

In case you hadn’t heard, Miguel Sano is playing baseball right now. Where? In one of the top and most competitive MLB offseason spots in the world, the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM), for one of the league’s best teams, Estrellas Orientales.

How has he done? Pretty damn good, actually. Sano has served as the team’s regular designated hitter. In 107 plate appearances (5th most on Estrellas), Sano is batting .225 with a .750 OPS, 13 RBI, 14 BB and 30 Ks. The former Minnesota Twin bats in the middle of the lineup and he’s a huge part of Estrella’s 2023-24 championship run.

Miguel Sano Hits Game-Winning Missile in LIDOM Championship

Their trust in Miguel Sano was on full display Saturday, too, when they batted him cleanup in game one of the league’s seven-game championship series. In return, the 30-year-old Sano went 1-for-2 with one walk, zero strikeouts and this 3-run missile homerun in the 1st inning. Even better than the homer might be Sano’s celebration right before he reached 1st base.

SANÓ GOES BOOM AND SAN PEDRO GOES WILD https://t.co/cGArHnKEqx pic.twitter.com/DmEcRz3A2G
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) January 21, 2024

Before you get offended, know that baseball is done differently in the Dominican Winter League. Go ahead and be made if you want. Personally, I like to appreciate the different spin that we see on baseball in other countries. And Latin American baseball just hits different.

Estrellas Orientales took game one 7-5 vs Tigres del Licey, in part thanks to Sano’s great day at the plate. Game 2 is Sunday at 3 PM CST and can be viewed on MLB.TV if you’re bored of the NFL playoffs and you have a subscription.

Other names you might know on Estrellas Orientales

Other names you’ll know on the Estrellas roster include former Twins fan favorite, Willians Astudillo, who was on base when Sano hit his homer yesterday. Robinson Cano, an all-time MLB great who retired after the 2022 season, batted behind Sano in yesterday’s game.

Others who have graced the Estrellas roster this Winter include Fernando Tatis Jr, whose dad happens to the team’s manager, Yasiel Puig, Jurickson Profar and Eguy Rosario, among others. Former Twins minor leaguers on the roster include Lewin Diaz and Wilin Rosario.