What is going on with Pablo Sandoval?
by nogooddeed on Jun 4, 2010 8:16 AM PDT
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PrintHe seems to be as important to the overall success of the team as is Timmeh...so what is wrong with Pablo? Or is nothing wrong? Is he coming out of his slump? Season to date: .286/.341/.437 OPS+ 103. His BABIP is down, but his LD% is unchanged. He is striking out a little more. He has shown a big change is in GO/AO, where he is now at 1.33, up from 1.09 last year. Usually ground balls are more likely to result in hits than are fly balls, so this is kind of hard to interpret. GDP counts as two outs, so that accounts for some of the increase in GO, but I think perhaps he is hitting weaker ground balls. Or is he that much slower? Bad luck? perhaps. Is it just that he can't handle the high hard one?
Here is super slo mo of Pablo from the right side and here he is on the left side. Of course these are old, and not very helpful.
All other things being equal, an increase in ground balls, if they are pulled, usually means an over-anxious hitter. I wonder if Pablo is trying too hard, and trying to pull more. He seems to be a spray hitter with power, who does best when he hits to all fields, depending on the pitch and location. I would be interested in seeing where he is hitting the ball, for hits and for outs. Of course, it would have to be split into RH and LH. If he is pulling the ball more and making outs, that would be consistent with being over-anxious. What about the high cheese? Perhaps he is vulnerable to that pitch, but it seems to me that many of the ones he misses are out of the strike zone. I wonder if he is just pressing so much that he can't lay off it.
The more patient Pablo is, it seems to me, the better he does. If he can concentrate on hitting the opposite way, I think he can generate his usual stats. Of course, taking off 20 lbs might also help.
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I’ve seen this movie. The lead actress over-acted. And the ending was predictable. I mean, both lead roles kept telling us what was going to happen. Over and over again. They even told Jesus they were coming. The thing is, they never really went anywhere. Yet I still walked out feeling satisfied.
The Magic is inside all of us.
Proud father of the man taking your hard-earned money.
My question regarding this point, though, is that if he can’t lay off the high fastball, wouldn’t that be more indicative of hacking away? I feel like every AB I see from Pablo right now, he’s swinging and missing at the high fastball for strike three. Obviously that’s not EVERY AB, but that’s what it sometimes feels like when I watch Pablo at bats this year.
I'm thinking but nothing's happening.
Having just read Grant’s comment below, and viewed the current results Pablo’s getting, I’d like to retract my question and statement. Apparently I’ve really not been watching much baseball this season.
I'm thinking but nothing's happening.
Apparently I’ve really not been watching much baseball this season.
Consequently, you shall be restored to sanity
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I had a vision of sanity once
One Time Only.
Truly frightening. Truly
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I think there was a legit two-week stretch where Sandoval looked lost and befuddled. He snapped out of it, and everything since then has been viewed with the tint of that awful two-week stretch.
by Grant Brisbee on Jun 4, 2010 8:39 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
So you're saying....
SSS?
Like, opposite of Velez.
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
I was kind of surprised by the OP because Panda looks fine now. He looked incredibly bad during that stretch, though.
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on Jun 4, 2010 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I think that wpa sways our instincts
We all look to panda for the big hits, but he’s failed almost every time recently. Just scanning through the leverage and wpa stats, he hasn’t had a major positive impact in clutch situations since May 17, he hasn’t had a significant impact on a Giants win since May 4, there have been a few real clunkers, and there’s not been a game all season which he had the most important hit .
If, like me, you think clutch is basically just luck, then we shouldn’t worry about that. But screw it, I’m still throwing things every time he strikes out with 2 out, 2 on, Giants down by one.
by sarf_london_niner on Jun 4, 2010 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think he's driving the ball
particularly well. He seems to be off balance a lot. And, of course, his lack of discipline hits hard when he’s not going well. Still, he’ll be fine I think.
he's pressing because he knows there is really nobody else in the lineup
(aside from perhaps Huff) that can be the big time run producer and power threat the team needs.
I am in this line along with a bit of what WilRiv mentioned above.
Threat level that the 2010 Pads finish with more wins than the 2010 Giants is currently at: 39%
Spoiler: Grumpy older Giants fan is Grumpy.
If that's the case, Uribe should punch Panda in the mouth
Proudly adopted Aubrey Huff. You can't beat that!
Players slump all the time. All players. All the time. And then they un-slump. There is a difference nevertheless between slumps (temporary non-performance) and washed up (Rowand and Molina)
Having Sandoval play his way out of it was/is a good idea…actually a no-brainer absent any obvious physical maladies. For the time being it looks like he has it figured out again.
On the other hand bullshitting your way into believing that Rownad and Molina can play their way out of their on-life-support-careers is the same mindset that kept Vinnie Castilla in the lineup night after night in 2005 and 2006.
That is until Kevin Towers mercifully pulled the plug in July, a couple of months before inviting Bochy to pack his shit up and put Petco in his rear view mirror permanently.
To compare:
Vinnie Castilla Age 39 San Diego Padres after 269 PAs up to July 19 2006 when he was dfa’d
.260 OBP .319 SLG .579 OPS 54OPS+
Molina who will be 36 in July in 163 PA as of June 3.
313 OBP .327 SLG .639 OPS 69 OPS+
Rownad who will be 33 in August in 169 PA up to June 3
260 OBP .398 SLG .658 OPS 70 OPS+
On top of it, Rownad and Molina are actually looking worse than their numbers. Befuddled, lost, hacking, guessing, off-balance, reaching, spastic swings. Pathetic
Can’ t hardly wait for Pat Burrell to show up. Jermaine Dye and Eric Byrnes must be close behind.
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 9:33 AM PDT reply actions
What part of "tenure" don't you understand?
The Giants need a room with desks so that they can be re-assigned to light duty.
"I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."- Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti
"What do I want you to do? What are you doing in the National League?"- John McGraw
"117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"- carp (paraphrased)
by natteringnabob on Jun 4, 2010 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Those two guys are like if you went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
and they served you 6 month old room temperature steak, charged you full price, and made you clean your plate just because it was expensive at the time.
/check please!
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Mmmmm, room temperature steak. That’s considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, you know! Like in Washedupveteranslandia.
I'm thinking but nothing's happening.
And apparently the AT&T Commissary as well. The green and white fuzzy glaze is a featured delicacy, from the Chef Briane’ Culinary Academy
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Incommensurable stats.
For each player, there is an expected norm of performance; when the player underperforms those expectations for no apparent physical reason, he is “in a slump”, which (unless there is a hidden physical problem) is a statistical artifact. Rowand is not, when performing normally, a very good player. But right now, he is in a “slump”. As I have noted on other threads, the actual number of hits he is off is readily accounted for by BABIP; he does have 4 more SO (and thus fewer BB) than would be expected, but I for one would hesitate to call 4 SOs in 50-something games a sure sign of career-ending collapse.
The point is not that Rowand is a good player just in a slump: he is a mediocre player just in a slump. He will doubtless be back at something like normal by season’s end, possibly via A Hot Streak©, but the take-away is Who cares?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
His linedrive % is actually down
According to both Fangraphs and Statcorner. The only other glaring thing (aside from BABIP and HR/FB ratio) that I see is that (on his Statcorner page) he’s swinging at fewer pitches inside the zone, and when he does swing, he’s making contact less often.
Still not really worried about Pablo
Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all
McFAQ for all you newcomers out there.
Does anyone here use a stopwatch?
I would be interested in some home to first times. Kruk is always timing pitchers, so I know they have a stopwatch. Occasionally they time runners but not often.
I think Pablo can come out of this, but I don’t think he has yet. I remain concerned about his weight.
I like my beer cold ... my TV loud ... and my romosexuals flaming.--Homer Simpson
MLB Official Bengie Molina Stop Watch
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I thought wee needed to use Stonehendge. Now days that sun dail might be to fine to capture useful data.
Threat level that the 2010 Pads finish with more wins than the 2010 Giants is currently at: 39%
Spoiler: Grumpy older Giants fan is Grumpy.
OMG
You’re beginning to misspell like the Mr. All-Caps
Corpsman! CORPSMAN!!!!
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
/ trudges of to the grammar Sin Bin. Again.
Threat level that the 2010 Pads finish with more wins than the 2010 Giants is currently at: 39%
Spoiler: Grumpy older Giants fan is Grumpy.
In the Sin Bin Agin
Sounds like a country song.
Adoptive parent of Kevin Frandsen, now stopping gaps in...Anaheim?
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Jun 4, 2010 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think he’s out of it yet, but I think he’ll be fine. Some better pitch selection would do him good. He may be pressing to help the offense and fulfill expectations of him. He’ll settle down – he’s still having fun out there, so I’m not worried.
I feel prickishly demanding!
I couldn't be prouder of my recent adoptee - Tim Lincecum's dealer. He provides the secret fuel behind both Cy Youngs. Also, he taught Timmy the change-up.
by giantsfansince1981 on Jun 4, 2010 10:33 AM PDT reply actions
he's too damn fat
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 4, 2010 11:22 AM PDT reply actions
I’ve been assuming the league has done their homework and adjusted their pitching scheme… and now he will have to adjust back. He may have already…
In any case, a dip in the road is in no way unusual for a player, especially one of his age.
Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on Jun 4, 2010 11:33 AM PDT reply actions
Blubber
LOL PABLO’S MOM
WHY IS BENGIE?!
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jun 4, 2010 12:14 PM PDT reply actions
SAINT
Jonathan Sanchez: Often maddening to watch, but capable of perfection on a moment's notice---just like his adoptive father.
Oftentimes referred to in days of "Little Rascals" lore
“He-man woman haters club”
No gurlz allowed
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
But ever since the stonewall riots things have been getting better.
Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on Jun 4, 2010 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Lightbulb goes on over Baer's skull
/signs Farina, Buckwheat and Stymie to multi-year contracts to re-establish African American presence on roster after the departure of Fred “The Problem” Lewis, and the unfortunate broken bones of Manny Burris.
Adds “Negro Heritage Night” to schedule.
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions
hey this is awesome.
This might be how I get my thesis done.
Just get the damn surgery, Mark DeRosa.
I didn't mind his slump
It made it so I could trade Kershaw for the Panda straight up in my Y! Winners’ league.
Way to keep things in perspective.
The Magic is inside all of us.
Proud father of the man taking your hard-earned money.
Yup
I had a dream about it, too. Have a seat and I’ll tell you all about it.
Pablo Sandoval:
Too Good To Be True.
Also: We can’t have nice things.
TEMPORARY SIG AWAITING FINAL SABEAN APOCALYPSE
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game in development
And too hip to be square
/huey lewis and the news
by E Ticket on Jun 4, 2010 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Hips don't lie
Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all
McFAQ for all you newcomers out there.
/big penis Huey Lewis joke.
Buster Posey: "still not ready." - idiot of a GM
by rxmeister on Jun 5, 2010 8:22 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
It’s possible, but unlikely, that Pablo has been replaced by Marvin Benard.
Yes, really, I have not updated my blog in a long long time: http://skaldheim.livejournal.com/tag/baseball
It would take two Marvin Benards to make one Pablo Sandoval
Whether you’re talking in terms of talent or body mass.
Adoptive parent of Kevin Frandsen, now stopping gaps in...Anaheim?
It’s possible there’s one hidden in there now.
Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on Jun 4, 2010 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I was worried that the league
had found a hole in Pablo’s swing with the up-and-in fastball…but then I remembered this
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=4314539
If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're gonna see some serious shit!
-Doc Brown, Zito fan
It could be that this is who he is. He was essentially a .290 hitter in the minors prior to 2008. It’s likely that strike zone judgment wasn’t the reason for his great leap forward, so maybe he just got hot for two years? He came up hacking and we all saw Vlad Guerrero, as opposed to say Bengie Molina.
"Don't trust anyone under the age of 30" - Brian Sabean
It’s a good thing Pablo didn’t play like this last year or he might just as well have changed his last name to Bowker. I imagine Bochy would like nothing better than to replace Pablo with Uribe if Renteria ever comes back.
Please don’t let them do that Panda!
"Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love."
Panda still does not look right to me
He is hitting the balls to all fields but with less authority and to people. He has a
tremendous diathesis of hitting into DP’s exactly in the middle of a rally usually just
killing the rally. Giants can get 3 hits including a homer in an inning and only score
one run due to Pablocitos DP’s. Can someone EXORCISE the soul of A.J. doubleplay
Pierzinski out of the large framed Body of Pablo, the Kung Fu Panda Sandoval! I think he has hit into about 7 DP’s in the last 4 games.
Yes, he needs to stop hitting it to people.
Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on Jun 5, 2010 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Everything you say there except for having “less authority” is DIRECTLY attributable to luck.
"I just struck out looking three times, but in any other ballpark those would have been home runs." - Aubrey Huff
by howtheyscored on Jun 5, 2010 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Probably
Unless his GB % changes in DP situations. Probably not enough data for that.
"That sort of thing only happens to white people."
- Kirby Puckett joking about the fairy-tale nature of his friend, Cal Ripken Jr., homering in his final All-Star Game
You pretty much nailed it ...
in regards to his being too pull conscious. It looks to me as though that’s the source of his troubles. It is also why he is chasing the high heat, because he recognizes the ball from side-to-side as something he can pull. It’s all in his head. Physically, he is in good shape … as his baserunning and defense aren’t suffering. At the plate, though, he is in an absolute funk. I’ve got ideas on how to fix it, but I doubt anyone wants to hear that.
Judging from this photo, I think the main problem is that Sandoval needs a bigger bat
"You can always recover from the player you didn't sign. You may never recover from the player you signed at the wrong price." --Billy Beane
"I am not an idiot."--Brian Sabean
Considering this is Ramon Santiago, yeah.
The Giants offseason moves - "meh"
Proud father of 2-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, who could do whatever he wants to do.
Of course it's Santiago. This was an attempt, though clearly feeble, at humor. It was in no way to be taken seriously. In the future, I'll include a disclaimer announcing the humorous intentions of my postings.
"You can always recover from the player you didn't sign. You may never recover from the player you signed at the wrong price." --Billy Beane
"I am not an idiot."--Brian Sabean
by Sabean's_Folly on Jun 6, 2010 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
And I don't know why I knew it was Ramon Santiago without looking it up
The Giants offseason moves - "meh"
Proud father of 2-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, who could do whatever he wants to do.
Maybe just making it funny would do the trick.
Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on Jun 7, 2010 7:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Santiago fouls off pitch, loses bat.
"You can always recover from the player you didn't sign. You may never recover from the player you signed at the wrong price." --Billy Beane
"I am not an idiot."--Brian Sabean
by Sabean's_Folly on Jun 6, 2010 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
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