Prodigal Panda intending to ‘enjoy the ride’
Sand oval playing like he’ s ‘super happy’ he’ s a Giant
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. >> Best shape of his life? That spring training cliche will never apply to Pablo Sandoval, listed at 5-foot-11, 268 pounds.
Best mental outlook of his life? On that front, Sandoval, 31, might be in tiptop condition.
“I’m super happy,’’ he said.
The mercurial Panda blasted the Giants on his way out the free-agent door in 2015, saying the only people he’d miss were Manager Bruce Bochy and outfielder Hunter Pence.
That was three years ago. This spring, Sandoval sounds as if he’s at peace again — and he’s playing that way. Through 36 at-bats in Cactus League play, he’s hitting .306 with a .357 on-base percentage and a .528 slugging percentage.
“You know, you learn a lot of things in your career. Ups and downs,’’ Sandoval said. “You have to be humble and keep your head up no matter what . ... You know you need a little effort to work hard to be part of this team and enjoy the ride.”
Sandoval has embraced his potential role as a utility infielder, splitting innings this spring almost equally between third base and first base. He made a terrific diving stop at first base Sunday in a 13-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. He also went 2 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs.
The switch-hitter would give the Giants another right-handed option at first base on days they don’t want Brandon Belt facing a left-hander.
“If I make the team, I’m going to be ready for everything, every situation, every opportunity I’m going to get,’’ Sandoval said after Sunday’s game. “I just keep working on things I can handle and try to do the best I can out there for my teammates.”
There’s no guarantee he makes the team, but it’s hard to imagine him faltering at this stage. Bochy said he has to wait to see how things shake out, but mentioned Sandoval as a backup infielder who could also serve as an emergency catcher.
“That’s pretty nice to have: a guy with his experience — and the threat that he is — coming off the bench,’’ the manager said Sunday.
It helps that Sandoval is healthy again. He had season-ending left shoulder surgery in May 2016. It’s
been a long road back to full strength, but he says now that he can swing freely from either side of the plate. (Sandoval hit solely from the left side for the last half of 2015).
“When you don’t feel pain, you’re not afraid to swing,’’ he said. “It feels the same as it was before surgery and early in my career. So I feel great.”
Sandoval batted .222/.263/.375 as a late-season call-up last year. The Giants brought in Evan Longoria to play third base, but Sandoval could be an inexpensive veteran backup. The Red Sox paid $18.05 million to buy out his contract option; the Giants would pick up a $545,000 tab.
Besides showing some pop at the plate (.885 OPS), Sandoval is saying the right things. He might consider a second career writing baseball Hallmark cards. A sampling
from his post-game session on Sunday:
• “No matter the situation out there, we’re going to work together as a team.”
• “Having fun and playing together is great.”
• “It’s such a great team, such a great group.”
• “To be around those guys and have fun is one of the things you’re looking for during the season.”
In the least, Sandoval is making an impression this spring. His more diligent approach has Bochy’s attention.
“Pablo’s worked hard,’’ he said. “He comes out and does all his work every day on the defensive side. He’s known for his hitting, but he worked hard on his defense.”
BEEDE, WILLIAMSON AMONG THE CUTS >> Tyler Beede, hit hard this spring, headed back to the minor leagues but remained optimistic
about better days to come.
The Giants optioned their 2014 first-round draft pick to Triple-A on Monday after the right-hander gave up 10 runs in 8 1/3 innings during Cactus League play.
“Looking at the numbers? Not good,’’ Beede said as he packed his locker before the Giants played the Cleveland Indians at Scottsdale Stadium. “But the way that my stuff feels, the way that my body feels, I feel great. I couldn’t feel more confident with where my stuff is at compared to a year ago.”
It was part of a transaction onslaught here Monday. The Giants also optioned outfielder Mac Williamson, who batted .333 with four home runs and 14 RBIs this spring. Williamson had a .349 on-base percentage and .762 slugging percentage over 42 at-bats.
Other players optioned to Triple-A were pitcher Derek Law, pitcher Roberto Gomez and outfielder Austin Slater.
Players reassigned to minor league camp were: Andrew Suarez, Joan Gregorio, Jose Valdez, Justin O’Conner, Trevor Brown, Hector Sanchez, Orlando Calixte, Chase d’Arnaud, Kyle Jensen and Chris Shaw.
The Giants want Beede to continue working as a starter, and the pitcher said extended innings will be a key to his development. Beede, 24, went 6-7 with a 4.79 ERA for Triple-A Sacramento last season.
This spring, he allowed a 1.920 WHIP while facing 41 batters. But Beede said
his repertoire is maturing in ways that are tougher to measure.
“Overall, I’m very confident with where my stuff is,’’ he said. “My changeup has taken a big step forward to becoming a pitch I can rely on (against) lefties and righties, even when I’m behind in counts.”
• Williamson arrived at spring training with revamped swing and spent this Cactus League season putting up wall-rattling numbers for a powerstarved club.
When the Giants optioned him to Triple-A anyway, as part of sweeping roster cuts Monday, the outfielder was realistic enough to know that no amount of hits in the Arizona desert could save him.
Williamson’s roster chances were doomed because he had minor-league options left and because of his previous struggles in the big leagues.
“I haven’t really taken advantages of the opportunities I was given in the past,” Williamson said, choosing his words slowly and carefully. “So it was important to come in this spring and prove that I was worthy of another shot down the line.”
With Williamson, Slater and Shaw sent out Monday, the Giants now have seven outfielders remaining in camp: Andrew McCutchen, Hunter Pence, Austin Jackson, Steven Duggar, Gregor Blanco, Jarrett Parker and Gorkys Hernandez.
Of that group, Parker and Hernandez are out of options, meaning the Giants would expose them to the waiver wire if they sent them to the minors.
Duggar, 24, meanwhile, continues to make a sustained case for the starting center field job. He drove in a run and made a sensational running catch against the Cleveland Indians on Monday, racing into right-center field alley to take extra bases away from Mike Napoli.