MLB Player Profile: Pablo Sandoval
The giant lefty, who always remains ready to mash the opposition with his stormy bat and ambidextrous throws, is one, who plays for the defending World Series Champions, San Francisco Giants. His nick-name Kung Fu Panda due to his heavy weight but quick
responses. The batter looks like a heavy giant but runs like a slim athlete and dives like a perfect swimmer.
Who is this player? He is one of the best hitters among the new arrivals in the Major League and the best one among the left-handers. He is the San Francisco Giants’ Pablo E. Sandoval, born on August 11, 1986 in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Pablo showed interest
in baseball, at the early age and his parents appreciated his game and allowed to take part in the sports activities at his school, Academia Centro de Estudio Carabobo Venezuela.
His school instructors and fellows appreciated the quality and technique of his game and this admiration gave him a power boost, which ended him to be a part of the Giants in the 2003. After he signed the contract as an undrafted free agent in 2002, Pablo
represented the Giants, in 2003 at the age of seventeen, in Dominican Summer League where he maintained his average to .354 in 57 games and forced the Giants administration to consider him seriously.
At last, the administration gave him a chance to represent the Giants in Arizona Rookie League, which was his first season on U.S. soil, where he played 46 games, scored 26 RBIs without any homer, and posted .266 batting averages. However, it was not considerable
record in the eyes of baseball experts, the Giants gave him a little better chance next year, using him as a third baseman in almost entire season for Salem Keizer. He did not let down this decision and improved his averages to a .330 with 50 RBIs and 3 home-runs
in 75 games.
It was the turning point of his life, as he was ranked among league leaders in almost every category. He stood second in the RBIs (50), hits (97), and games (75), third in averages and was fifth in the total bases (125). He also won a place in Baseball America
Short-Season All-Star team and in Non-Post Season All-Star.
Despite a high level of appreciation and back up from all sides of games, Pablo went into a slump in 2006. He stroked just 49 RBIs and one homer with merely a .265 batting average while playing for the Augusta Green Jackets, who used him at both first and
third base throughout the season.
A real competitor always learns from defeats and errors and it was the one of the best thing of the teenager in his early career. He did not let the 2006 season prevail in 2007 instead he managed to get his league leader position back, hitting 52 RBIs including
career high 11 home-runs and 33 second bases playing for San Jose Giants.
Consistently improving his technique and hitting thrust, Pablo started the 2008 season for single-A San Jose Giants where he touched 59 RBIs and 12 homers with .359 averages. Then he stroked 37 RBIs and 8 home-runs with a .337 averages for Double-A Connecticut
Defenders before the Giants’ administration finally called him to the big league.
Making his debut on August 14, the giant hitter jumped quickly up the stairs of success and managed to score with a .345 average, 24 RBIs and three home-runs. His major opening homer came off the Colorado Rockies’ Livan Hernandez on August 27. Although,
it was the start of his Majors but he has given a threat to many Major League pitchers.
2009 proved a best season for him as he managed to enter his name in the top 25 of major categories. He hit career high 189 hits and 79 runs with 44-second bases, 5 third bases and 25 homers including 90 RBIs with .330 averages. He secured second place in
National League in averages, fourth in hits, sixth in slugging averages (.556) and seventh in OPS (.793).
A gritty hitter could not make mark in the 2010 season, but contributed some valuable runs to help the team to take the World Series title after 1954. He touched 63 RBIs and 13 home-runs in 152 games of 2010.
The most valuable thing about Venezuelan player is his consistency with the team. He never thought of changing his team since he joined the Giants and this loyalty paid him in 2011. He has scored 44 RBIs and 14 home-runs in just 80 games of 2011 regular
season.
A devout Roman Catholic, he has a habit of getting blessed after each base hit and features his success to his religion.
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