None of it would have happened last season
— not the quick first step, not the balanced, barehand pickup
and not the sound footwork that allowed him to make an on-target
throw to first base.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.
None of it would have happened last season — not the quick first step, not the balanced, barehand pickup and not the sound footwork that allowed him to make an on-target throw to first base.
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Pablo Sandoval is doing more than providing a Slim-Fast “after” picture this spring. He hasn’t forgotten it was his inept defense at third base that caused him to lose his everyday job down the stretch last season. As his play on Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez’s bunt illustrated Wednesday, Sandoval is determined to reestablish himself as one of the league’s better third basemen.
“My first step,” he said after being asked about the biggest benefit to losing almost 40 pounds this winter. “Especially at third base, you have to be quick. That’s why I worked so hard on it every day.”
Sandoval went nearly two months this winter without picking up a bat — the longest stretch he could remember. But he took ground balls every day.
“He’s moving around so much better now — left, right, coming in on balls,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’s feeling good about that first step. He’s bouncing around out there.”
Sandoval hasn’t made all the plays. He has two errors and mishandled another chance, but said hard hands aren’t his problem. It’s all the white shirts in the stands — a problem that should be limited to the Cactus League.
“A lot of times, I can’t see the ball,” said Sandoval, adding he couldn’t pick up a throw from catcher Buster Posey until the last instant.
—Not only did Barry Zito become the first Giant to complete five innings this spring, but he was so efficient and effective that he needed to walk back to the bullpen and make 10 more tosses to reach his 65-pitch target for the day.
Zito held the White Sox to one hit and one walk in the Giants’ 4-2 victory. Even better, he managed to get quick outs with his changeup and fastball because he lacked a feel for his curveball in the first few innings.
—Jeff Suppan also had to get extra work in the bullpen after throwing his three innings. Suppan allowed solo homers to Adam Dunn and Stefan Gartrell in the ninth.
—Aubrey Huff’s first home run of the spring broke up Jake Peavy’s no-hitter in the fourth inning. Huff later hit an RBI single.
—Brian Wilson allowed two walks and an infield hit, but struck out Dunn to strand the runners.
— Story by Andrew Baggarly, San Jose Mercury News
