Expect Pablo Sandoval to Make His Mark in '09

Last year, Pablo Sandoval was an unsung brilliant prospect. The 22-year old was unknown when the year began, but went straight through the San Francisco Giants farm system. He had 20 home runs, 96 RBI and hit .350. Despite being in just Single A and Double A, the Giants were so impressed, they called him up.

He didn’t disappoint in his little time there. He hit three homers, drove in 24 and hit .345 in limited time. If he can get time, which he will, expect this young man to make a splash and put up dazzling numbers.

Pablo Sandoval projects as a first baseman/catcher. Right now, the first baseman is Sandoval. On days Bengie Molina takes off, Sandoval will be at the backstop. He also played in the Venezuelan League this year, where he looked like his Minor League self, hitting .396.

While his Minor League statistics suggest he is a power hitter, he projects like Chase Utley. He has a short, compact swing and can hit 20 homers a year if he wants to and can use it effectively. He is like a first base, 246 pound Chase Utley. He is a switch-hitter, is like Vladimir Guerrero in the fact that he is a free swinger, but like Dustin Pedroia in the fact that he can hit just about anything in the strike zone.

Will Sandoval have an Evan Longoria-like season? Yes. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he does better. I absolutely love what the Giants are doing. They are building for a flat out scary future with Tim Lincecum and Madison Bumgarner marshaling the mound and Buster Posey and Sandoval providing spark for the offense.

They also have a promising left fielder in Fred Lewis. But numbers wise, what can Sandoval provide? Who knows? Do we know that his season in the minors and great start in the majors weren’t fluke? No. But were they? It’s very doubtful.

The Giants also have Sandoval possibly at third base. But it’s likely the Giants will acquire some type of third baseman or start Ryan Rohlinger or Conor Gillaspie. In the Mexican League, Sandoval played first base and first base only. If the Giants get a third baseman, it’s clear that’s where they want Pablo—first base. However, GM Brian Sabean sounded sold on Sandoval at the hot corner.

"We went over it today. Sandoval's probably our third baseman," Sabean said. Regarding first base, Sabean added, "Defense is too important at that position for us, and Ishikawa is one of the better young first basemen coming out of the Minor Leagues, as far as defense." Manager Bruce Bochy added that Sandoval seemed fearless and had very good hands for a big guy and Spring Training will extend his education for the position.

Sandoval will likely hit third, perfect for him. He would be hitting behind outfielder Randy Winn and shortstop Edgar Renteria and ahead of catcher Bengie Molina and left fielder Fred Lewis. This would be ideal for him.

He wouldn’t have the pressure of being a rookie in the cleanup spot, but would still have the opportunities to rack up RBI’s and help the Giants produce runs—and with the lineup they possess, they will produce runs. Sandoval is like Ichiro Suzuki in that he’s difficult to strike out but has some pop.

Do I expect Sandoval to bat .345 like he did in 41 games last year? No. But can he provide some consistency at the three hole? Yes, he can. I’d expect 18-85-.290 from him. I know it’s a bit of a fall off considering what he’s done to Minor League pitchers (destroy), but you can’t expect too much from a 22-year old in his first full year.

I truly believe Matt Wieters (Orioles) and Sandoval are the next big hitters in the majors. Wieters, like Sandoval, tore up the minors. While Sandoval is younger, they both possess incredible potential and what they can do next year I don’t even want to think about.

Both Sandoval and Wieters could save their respective teams from embarrassment, which is what they have been recently. Sandoval could light a spark under the Giants lineup. I have to say, looking up-and-down the Giants lineup next year, it’s looking UP.

While third base isn’t figured out, yet, the lineup could be very good with Bengie Molina catching, Sandoval at first, Emmanuel Burriss at second, Edgar Renteria at short, Ryan Rohlinger at third, Fred Lewis in left, Aaron Rowand in center, and Randy Winn in right. Call me crazy, but that is a potent lineup! Sandoval could especially make an impact against righties, whom he hit .383 against in his time in the majors in ’08.

But the ’08 season for Sandoval was a sign of things to come. Had he played 150 games in ’08, he’d have 11 homers, 87 RBI and a .345 batting average. I think the power would increase, the RBI’s would go up just a tad more and the average would be in the .290-.300 range. The bottom line is, this guy has a BRIGHT future.

Recently, a great writer by the name of Danny Penza wrote an article called “What Can Giants Fans Expect From Sandoval In 2009”. One commenter said that it was good, but he didn’t really answer the question. Well, I’m answering it for him. I think Sandoval will break out and lead the Giants. His year in the minors and majors in ’08 as nothing short of miraculous.

While stars like Wieters (Orioles), David Price (Rays) and Cameron Maybin (Marlins) are expected to be big at the major league level and have produced big time results, Sandoval is rarely talked about and puts up the same, if not better results. He is a rising prospect who is involved in the future of Major League Baseball.

Last year, Sandoval had to be the most underrated prospect in all of Minor League Baseball. And he wasn’t a guy whose time in the bigs had passed and now is just getting some experience in the minors. He was 21 last year. Somehow, I see multiple All Star Games in his future.