Pablo Sandoval

2013

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2012

Sandoval showed up last year in shape and about 40 pounds thinner than the previous season, and the hard work paid off, as he finished with a .315/.357/.552 line. He hit 23 homers with 70 RBI over just 426 at-bats while playing in a park that graded as the toughest to hit in baseball. Sandoval's approach at the plate remained the same, as he swung at the greatest percentage of pitches outside the strike zone among all hitters in baseball. He missed about six weeks with a broken hand, but the injury didn't sap his power after he returned. Sandoval later suffered a shoulder injury that limited him, as the switch-hitter wasn't even able to swing right-handed at the end of the season. The injury didn't require offseason surgery, but the key will be what shape he shows up in, as Sandoval regained all the weight he lost over the course of the 2011 season. Sandoval is still just 25 years old and has transformed himself into one of the best defensive third basemen in the league, so he's an elite talent at a position that's typically thin in fantasy leagues.

2011

After hitting .330 with 25 homers and 90 RBI in 2009, Sandoval's numbers dropped precipitously last year, as he hit just .268 with 13 homers and 63 RBI, becoming one of the biggest busts in fantasy baseball. He saw his OPS drop by more than 200 points and ended the year as a bench player on a team that struggled with offense. Weight was a problem, as was his hit rate, as his BABIP fell to .294 after finishing above .350 during each of his first two years in the league. Sandoval swung at a greater percentage of pitches than any hitter in the National League, as plate discipline is his biggest issue. He reportedly had already lost 15 pounds just six weeks into the offseason, and the hope is he'll take that aspect more seriously after losing his starting job. Sandoval is a wild card entering 2011, but he's one season removed from posting a .943 OPS as a 23-year-old, and with no current alternatives on the roster, the Giants will give him every opportunity to regain the starting job at third base. He's a fine buy-low target in fantasy leagues.

2010

With such a low walk rate and the propensity to swing at any pitch within three feet of the strike zone, Sandoval entered 2009 with legitimate concerns of whether he could maintain such a high batting average. After hitting .330 over 572 at-bats, most of those worries have been eased. Sandoval took 28 walks over the season’s final two months, so while he still swings at too many pitches outside the strike zone, his plate discipline is improving, which is encouraging news going forward. AT&T Park suppresses some of his power, but he still managed 25 homers and 90 RBI as a 23-year-old last season. Sandoval no longer qualifies at catcher in fantasy leagues, but he should qualify at third base and first base in most leagues. While he didn't embarrass himself while learning to play third base last year, he'll likely move to first base after the Giants signed Mark DeRosa. He underwent a rigorous offseason workout program and completely changed his diet, so "Kung Fu Panda" should be primed for a monstrous 2010 campaign.

2009

Sandoval was a pleasant surprise in 2008, hitting .345 in 41 games after getting called up from the minors. He walked just four times over 145 at-bats, so that high batting average is definitely unsustainable moving forward. Still, he's a solid prospect and has been penciled in as either the team's starter at first or third base next season. Since he should qualify at catcher in most fantasy leagues, Sandoval is an intriguing option later in drafts.

2008

A 21-year-old third baseman, Sandoval posted a line of .287/.312/.476 during 401 at-bats at High-A San Jose last year. He's exhibited some pretty good power potential, but improved plat discipline is needed. He's a long time away from reaching the majors.