Pablo Sandoval got his first start of the 2018 season on Wednesday, and boy did he make it count.
Sandoval finished the day with four RBIs, three of which came on a fifth inning blast that sailed over the right field wall and into McCovey Cove, for his first splash hit since rejoining the Giants last season.
The unexpected signing of Sandoval in 2017 seemed like a novelty more than anything. A desperate move for a struggling team that was looking for any way to keep their fanbase engaged. Things seem different in 2018, however, and Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly has seen a different Pablo since spring training began nearly two months ago.
“It’s different now isn’t it,” Baggarly said on Murph & Mac Thursday morning. “Didn’t last year it feel a little bit desperate? Like okay the Giants are losing 98 games, they’re trying everything, maybe this is just to sell tickets, maybe they’re misreading their fanbase, or who knows?
“You know what? This guy is a functional part of a team that hopes to contend, and he’s going to be a big part of it. He was being cheered last night, everywhere in the stands. I mean, he’s back. He’s been happier this spring than I’ve ever seen him. His teammates are enjoying having him around, he’s got no problems at all being a bench guy, a pinch hitter, making occasional starts. He’s a guy who’s going to bring this team together, I really do believe that.”
Sandoval’s role this year is to be the Giants’ first pinch hitter off the bench, and a backup for offseason acquisition Evan Longoria. Bochy said that he doesn’t expect Sandoval’s role to expand even if he continues to play well, but a locked in Panda gives San Francisco extra depth they may need should an injury strike.
“That’s the thing, you never know when someone is going to go down with an injury, and if something were to happen to Longoria or Belt or what have you, they have a guy they can plug in and feel pretty good about.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Baggarly on Sandoval, start from the beginning.