2008 San Jose Giants (A)

[McCovey]

I'll be posting updates on the 2008 San Jose Giants in this thread.

[McCovey]

Ok, let's talk San Jose Giants! Here is their current roster.

http://www.sjgiants.com/playerlist.aspx?SecID=43

They do seem to have a nice catching prospect, 21 year old Pablo Sandoval. He's off to a hot start.

.423/.483/.859 (33 for 78), 7 HR, 24 RBI, 22 R, 11 doubles, 11 BB, 13 Ks. It looks like Single-A ball is too "easy" for him. This is his second season with th San Jose Giants. He should be going to Double-A by the end of May I would think.

[Bear]

Being a catcher does not hurt is chances with the Giants. Molina will not last forever and we have very little behind him.

[McCovey]

Being a catcher does not hurt is chances with the Giants. Molina will not last forever and we have very little behind him.
I'll try to catch San Jose Giants' game soon to check out the team and Pablo Sandoval specifically.

[Bear]

I'll try to catch San Jose Giants' game soon to check out the team and Pablo Sandoval specifically.

Let us know what you think.:cool:

[McCovey]

Let us know what you think.:cool:
Most definitely. I'll also see if I can take some video and I can post it here. :dance:

On defense what should I look for in a catcher? His footwork? Picking up pitches in the dirt? His throws to second base?

[Bear]

Most definitely. I'll also see if I can take some video and I can post it here. :dance:

On defense what should I look for in a catcher? His footwork? Picking up pitches in the dirt? His throws to second base?

Al the above plus hi ability to call a game. Is the game being called from the bench or is he calling it? His speed? Is he a truck. His ability to take charge and be the field general.;)

[McCovey]

Al the above plus hi ability to call a game. Is the game being called from the bench or is he calling it? His speed? Is he a truck. His ability to take charge and be the field general.;)
Sorry but what does "tuck" mean? :shrug:

[SF Kid]

Don't mind the Bear.

He must be hitting the wine cellar early today!

[McCovey]

Update on catcher Pablo Sandoval.

.436/.487/.812 (44 for 101), 7 HR, 30 RBI, 27 R, 15 doubles, 10 BB, 16 Ks

Holy cow. I think A ball has become too easy for Pablo. It's time for a promotion to the AA Connecticut Defenders very soon. Can it be? The Giants have a legit catching prospect? Pablo is only 21 years old, 5'11", 245 lbs. He's a big boy for sure.

[McCovey]

I was checking out Pablo Sandoval's minor league career. He was signed as an undrafted FA in May 2003.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/Pablo-Sandoval.shtml

The Baseball Cube website lists his weight as 180 lbs. :pound: The San Jose Giants website lists him at 246 lbs. What's weird is that in '04 he played catcher. But in '05 he was moved to 3B. Then in '06 he played 3B and 1B. but in '07 he was moved back to catcher. And his power developed as well in '07. From '04-'06 he hit just four HRs over three seasons. He hit 11 HRs in '07 in 102 games. He has 7 HRs so far in 30 games in '08. And he threw out 51% (36 for 71) basestealers in '07. I like this kid. I'll be watching him closely as he matures as a ballplayer.

[McCovey]

Ho hum. Sandoval continues to rake. :beerbang:

.431/.484/.780 (47 for 109)

[McCovey]

Sandoval is in a slump! He's down to a .417 BA. :pound:

[McCovey]

Ok, Pablo Sandoval is now hitting .415/.465/.715 (62 for 151), 8 HR, 39 RBI, 36 R, 18 doubles, 2 triples, 15 BB, 24 K in 38 games.

[McCovey]

Ok, I got tickets to the San Jose Giants game on Memorial Day! I got box seat right behind home plate. I really want to check out Pablo Sandoval for sure.

[SF Kid]

What did those tickets cost? Bet they're pretty reasonable. No?

[McCovey]

What did those tickets cost? Bet they're pretty reasonable. No?

$14.00 each

[McCovey]

I'm looking forward to the game today. This will be only the second minor league I have even seen in person.

[SF Kid]

Have a great time.

[Bear]

Have a great Holiday everyone!

[McCovey]

Ok, the San Jose Giants beat the Stockton Ports 6-0. I watched Pablo Sandoval carefully. The kid is build similar to Prince Fielder just not quite as big. He seems to have a clue at the plate and is a good baserunner. He definitely works the counts drawing like an eight pitch walk. He started a rally in the 3rd inning with a single. He went from first to third on a single to centerfield. He's got some wheels for a big guy. Even my wife, who knows nothing about baseball, commented that he runs very fast for being a "stout guy".

An older gentleman that sat next to me told me that he's runs well for his size, has a good arm, and hits for good power. Oh, also he's a switch hitter but since he didn't face a left hander I didn't get to see him hit right handed. He did have a throwing error to second base on a steal. However his middle infielders were not paying attention so Sandoval had to double pump on his throw to give them time to cover second base and it sailed into centerfield. But I watched him when he would throw to second base after his pitcher finished his warmups and every throw was a strike right over second base. I asked the gentleman when he thought Sandoval might be promoted to Double A. He told me he expects Sandoval to be promoted around the All-Star break in about a month to five weeks.

He seems like a leader type. When one of his relief pitchers was struggling to find the strike zone he went to mound and had a short talk with him. The relief pitcher calmed down and struck out the batter.

He's also a fan favorite. I think most of the fans know how good Sandoval is. I think he could be up with the big club perhaps at the end of '09 or '10.

[SF Kid]

Great review Mac. (REP -- ooops). :D

[Bear]

Great report Mac! Rep would be warranted but lets not get back into that.:nono:

[McCovey]

I'm going to go see the San Giants play again soon. I wan to get another look at Sandoval. The Giants have a hot catching prospect? Can it be? Also, Steve Decker in the San Jose Giants' manager. Talk about a blast from the past!

[Bear]

Mac, what do you know about Matt Downs? Do you see him moving any time soon?:confused:

[McCovey]

Mac, what do you know about Matt Downs? Do you see him moving any time soon?:confused:
I don't know much about him. I checked the Giants' preseason top 30 prospects list and Downs wasn't listed. But that doesn't mean much. I saw him play yesterday. He hit a HR, his team leading 9th. I'm not sure how the Giants determine when their prospects get promoted. I'll look into it.

[McCovey]

Pablo Sandoval is still going strong.

.359/.413/.596, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 61 R, 24 doubles

The kid is still raking. He should be promoted to AA Connecticut IMO. But now with the drafting Buster Posey I'm not sure what Sandoval's future holds. I wonder if the Giants are not high on Sandoval because he's built like Prince Fielder? :shrug:

[SF Kid]

Are we seeing him in SF at the end of the year?

[McCovey]

Are we seeing him in SF at the end of the year?
I don't know. I guess it depends how much time he gets at double AA? When Buster Posey signs he will mostly likely be assigned to the San Jose Giants. I think at the point the Giants should move Sandoval up to AA Connecticut so both he and Posey can keep playing catcher.