Pablo Sandoval article

by Lyle on Jul 16, 2008 7:06 AM PDT

Yesterday's Norwich Bulletin had an article about our favorite catcher now living in the state of Connecticut. Besides hitting .381 over his last 10 games, his teammates seem to think he brings an infectious attitude to the team. One quote in particular caught my attention:

His teammates marvel at his enthusiasm and jovial nature. Manager Bien Figueroa calls him a leader who has been the biggest reason for Connecticut’s rise into playoff contention.

I know many of you eschew clubhouse dynamics, but I thought some of you Pablito fans might enjoy the article. I think the Giants could use a leader like Sandoval.

Poll

Is Pablo the next great Giants' leader?

A. Yes, Pablo will lead the 2013 Giants to the World Series!

27 votes

B. Having Posey(hopefully) and Villalona at C and 1B leaves no place for Pablo in the future.

18 votes

C. "Leadership" is overrated.

6 votes

D. I always vote in polls, even useless ones like this.

46 votes

97 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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Comments

Instead of leading, can I just ask that he hits well for us? I’ll take that, kthnx.

Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Jul 16, 2008 7:09 AM PDT reply actions

leadership by example

I like it…

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 16, 2008 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions

this is my favorite bit from the article

On Sunday, Sandoval drove in the first run for the victorious World team at Yankee Stadium. Playing first base instead of his usual catcher, Sandoval was startled when World team manager Tino Martinez had him attempt to steal second base. Sandoval was easily thrown out.
"I don’t know what he’s doing," Sandoval said of Martinez. "He gave me the green light and I took a moment to see the sign (again)."

Castillo hits doubles.

by kennv on Jul 16, 2008 7:21 AM PDT reply actions

Pablo is a pretty funny dude from what I’ve seen of him. I mentioned before here that I saw him clowning around during BP at San Jose Muni earlier in the year. He was shooting baseballs into the ball cart thing like three point shots, and later he took the ball cart thing, pushed it around, and went vroom vroom.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 16, 2008 7:42 AM PDT reply actions

Does he ever play third anymore, or has that been completely abandoned?

by Evan on Jul 16, 2008 8:06 AM PDT reply actions

Has not played third in Norwich yet....

and with Rohlinger doing great probably won’t.

http://gregsconnecticutdefenders.blogspot.com

by greg8370 on Jul 16, 2008 8:27 AM PDT reply actions

Henry Peploski

Fred Lewis can stand under my umbrella.

by S.F. Giangst on Jul 16, 2008 8:43 AM PDT reply actions

I still hold out hope that all three will hit for our next big club and maybe AnVill will take an outfield spot.

I keep hearing all this “holy god is he fat” talk but he looked pretty athletic in the Futures Game. Can you say 2011 LF?

I am Cameron Wood and this is my son and business partner CW Culberson.

by camwoody on Jul 16, 2008 8:50 AM PDT reply actions

Pablo

Or maybe he plays 1B except when Posey needs a day off. Will his bat play at 1B?

by Change Up on Jul 16, 2008 9:04 AM PDT reply actions

It seems like Pablo's will.

I really like his approach at the plate and I think his power will translate.

I am Cameron Wood and this is my son and business partner CW Culberson.

by camwoody on Jul 16, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions

hell yes

+109

Dude can mash.

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Jul 16, 2008 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions

this

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 16, 2008 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions

He’d still have a lot more value as a catcher.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Jul 16, 2008 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions

only if his D is good. It’s the hardest position on the diamond, and it takes the most toll on a hitter. Besides, D-Pose is there…

by tyrannoman on Jul 16, 2008 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions

MLB catchers are hitting .256/.327/.388 with an EqA of .250.
MLB 1B are hitting .268/.353/.448/ with an EqA of .277.

That’s a pretty huge difference. Even if his defense at 1B is better, he’d still be more valuable as a catcher.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Jul 16, 2008 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Not talking about D at 1B. Just about anyone can play an okay first base, but catching is much more difficult. My big issue with Notguardo is the awful defense he puts up behind the plate.

by tyrannoman on Jul 16, 2008 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Cookyman

Where do you get your MLB average stats?

Thanks.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 16, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions

http://baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=204012

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 16, 2008 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Jul 16, 2008 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I gather that 10 is DH and 11 would be pinch hitters. What is 12?

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 16, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Nevermind, it looks like it’s pinch runners.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 16, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions

um

His, uh, 15-20 HR power?

I only have a signature because I recognize everyone else by their sigs, not their usernames..

by lmaozedong on Jul 16, 2008 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

With young players you would like to give them a little time to truley develop their HR power.

Pablo hits his fair share of HRs but he also had gap power which I like and which I think will eventually create more HRs. He seems to have the stroke and body to produce 25-30 HRs if he continues his development. He is also a switch hitter!!! Zoinks!

I am Cameron Wood and this is my son and business partner CW Culberson.

by camwoody on Jul 16, 2008 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions

whoa how did I not know he switch hit

I always thought he was only lefty hitting

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Jul 16, 2008 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Undoubtedly he has more value as a starting catcher

I just wondered if he’d have more value as a starting 1B than a backup catcher. He’s likely stuck playing second fiddle to Posey or being traded, neither of which I like.

by Change Up on Jul 16, 2008 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

I think you would obviously like to get his bat in the lineup every day.

I really think after seeing him play a few times that he could be a very good ML player regardless of position.

I am Cameron Wood and this is my son and business partner CW Culberson.

by camwoody on Jul 16, 2008 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Tommy Lasagna Enthusiasm

Seen Pablito play only once but fell in love with the kid. Yes he does have infectious enthusiasm. Yes he can move around the diamond very well. Yes he can rake and line the ball around the yard.

With Sandoval, Big V and Nate the Giants will have their choice of players who can play 3b.

by wilriv21 on Jul 16, 2008 11:27 AM PDT reply actions

Now that he’s been compared to Tommy Lasorda… I somehow like him less…

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 16, 2008 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions

wasn’t wilriv comparing himself (or, at least his enthusiasm) to Tommy Lasorda?

FIGHT! FIGHT FIGHT!

you can't block the Bocock

by oldjacket on Jul 16, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Put him at 3rd!!!!!!!

by Hobbes2d on Jul 16, 2008 5:30 PM PDT reply actions

A good problem!!!!

Depending how Sandavol does, I could see Posey being moved. he plays every position and could easily make the move to 3rd if Sandavol is the real deal. AnVil at 1b, Sandavol at C, and Posey at 3rd.

by ACgiant97 on Jul 16, 2008 8:50 PM PDT reply actions