MVN - Most Valuable Network

Down on the Farm: Pablo Sandoval

In a system relatively devoid of position player prospects, one player has risen above this modem and given the Giants a legitimate talent. Pablo Sandoval, known lovingly by any in the Giants community as “Pablito,” is tearing up the California League in San Jose, sporting a robust line of .409/.469/.708 to go along with 8 HR, and 39 RBI. The switch-hitting catcher has brought a glimmer of hope to an organization where Eugenio Velez is considered the future.

Signed out of Venezuela at the age of 16, Sandoval has improved his hitting approach each year he’s been in the minors. He’s developed more patience at the plate, especially this season, already drawing more walks (17) in 154 AB’s this season than he did in 430 AB’s last year (16). Many say his power numbers are inflated by the hitters league that he’s in, but his improved patience is undeniable. If you want a good Major League comparison, think Bengie Molina only more walks plus the fact that he’s a switch hitter.

The buzz around the water cooler has been that Sandoval will skip AA and go straight to Fresno. At the age of 21, he’s already rapidly moving past the point where he can toil in the low minors. At the same time, skipping a whole level of development could prove to be fatal to his advancement. If it were up to me, I’d keep him at AA, and if he finds immediate success, then promote him ASAP. If he doesn’t, then it’s an indicator that a jump to Fresno wouldn’t have been prudent to begin with.

Pablito joins the ranks of a small few within the Giants’ Minor League system that are standing head and shoulders above the rest. The affiliate in Augusta features last year’s draft class with a few exceptions, and is a group that is poised to reinvent the organizational philosophy.  No longer will we have to look towards the Lance Niekros and Damon Minors for respite from the drought.  With the Big Giants mired in the depths of a 6-game losing streak, thinking these sorts of happy thoughts make it so I can sleep soundly at night, and quite frankly makes this season tolerable.  Just hug your knees, rock back and forth, and repeat these sweet nothings to yourself.  No one will think you’re crazy; you’ll just be another Giants fan.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 2:25 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.