Miguel Sano has signed on with one of the most high-profile agencies in sports, announcing Thursday on Twitter that "I am so happy to join @RocNation!"
Roc Nation is the agency founded by hip hop legend Jay Z in 2008, originally to represent music and entertainment stars. It expanded into sports in 2013 when then-Yankees star Robinson Cano signed on, and has since added players in the NBA, NFL, WNBA and international soccer, plus professional boxers. According to Roc Nation's website, stars such as Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys, Ndamukong Suh of the Miami Dolphins and CC Sabathia of the Yankees are among their clients.
Sano has been represented by Rob Plummer, a New York-based agent who specializes in representing players from the Dominican Republic, since signing as a professional when he was 16. Plummer, who is frequently in attendance at Target Field, was featured in the movie "Ballplayer: Pelotero," about Sano's recruitment by major league teams, and even had Sano stay at his home after undergoing elbow surgery in March 2014.
According to Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal, Sano will be represented by Kyle Thousand, Roc Nation's head of baseball. Plummer did not return a call seeking comment, and the Twins have not yet been notified of a change in Plummer's status with their second-year player.
The 22-year-old Sano is coming off a sensational rookie season with the Twins, having hit 18 home runs and 17 doubles in just 80 games. He remains six seasons away from being eligible for free agency, though the Twins could negotiate a long-term contract before that.
