Pablo Sandoval has never been known for being of slim body. The San Francisco Giants infielder rose to prominence with the nickname “Panda” and clocks in at 5-foot-10, 268 pounds on his main MLB page.
The scrutiny reached another level when a current image of Sandoval taking grounders at 3rd base started making the internet rounds.
Naturally, the internet was its normal self when reacting to that picture of Sandoval appearing to bring additional weight upon returning from the coronavirus shutdown and just a few weeks before MLBs revived season is scheduled to begin. Between the mean-spirited barbs and basic jokes was the question of whether the Giants need to be concerned/frustrated with their veteran infielder.
According to Giants supervisor Gabe Kapler, the answer is, essentially, just if that weight gets in the method of his job.
From MLB.coms Maria Guardado:
Already in this brief amount of time hes shown it. I have a lot of empathy for Pablo and what it must resemble to be dealing with this sort of examination, and I would not want it on any person.”.
The 33-year-old Sandoval remains in Giants camp as a non-roster invitee after striking.268/.313/.507 in 108 video games last season. If the weight really is an issue, Sandoval is the only one who will truly pay for it.
In the meantime, the Giants are apparently planning as if hell be remaining. And yes, perhaps playing some DH:.
“I think its reasonable that in todays world we focus on weight. Still, this isnt the very first time Sandovals weight changes has actually been a topic of conversation. His unfortunate tenure with the Boston Red Sox included regular issues about his weight. Hes been motivated to shed weight in the past by some of his present Giants colleagues. “The expectation with Pablo Sandoval is he slugs.
” Look, hes not going to bat leadoff for us,” Kapler said. “The expectation with Pablo Sandoval is he slugs. Those are the things that were going to be focusing on.”.
Pablo Sandovals weight has again reached the headings. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) More.
Kapler expressed compassion for what Sandoval is handling, from the Associated Press:.
” I believe what were always searching for is, Is Pablo able to do the things needed for him to be an excellent baseball gamer?” Kapler said Sunday. “I believe its easy to understand that in todays world we concentrate on weight. I get it. In this specific case, what weve all noticed about Pablo is that the ball is leaping off his bat, and his throws have nice bring. Undoubtedly, weve had issues about whether he was going to be ready [after Tommy John surgery] and at what point he was going to be prepared to play third base and very first base. Hes shown that hes healthy. Thats the most crucial thing.”
Kapler has a point there. First and third base are far more about reaction time than variety on the field, and no one is anticipating Sandoval to acquire the stolen bases or go first to third on a single.
Still, this isnt the very first time Sandovals weight fluctuations has actually been a subject of discussion. His ill-fated tenure with the Boston Red Sox featured regular issues about his weight. His breakout year back in 2011 was preceded by visible weight-loss. Hes been encouraged to shed weight in the past by some of his current Giants colleagues. And the pandemic created chaos with many professional athletes ability to effectively train and work with their team.
The Athletics Andrew Baggarly, who tweeted the image of Sandoval, said in a Twitter thread he was sorry for publishing the picture on an individual level since of the examination Sandoval has actually long faced, but felt it was his journalistic responsibility as one of the few reporters on the scene at Oracle Park whose task was to objectively cover the Giants.
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